Staff Directory

Khadija Aziz
FEATURED MEMBER

Khadija's textile glitch art manipulates images and fibre materials using hand and digital means. She creates unexpected surface outcomes by playing with hand and digital distortion methods.

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About Us / Staff Directory

Meet the Craft Ontario Staff

Administration   Craft Ontario Shop   Studio Magazine

 

Craft Ontario Administration

Janna Hiemstra

Executive Director

T 416 925 4222 Ext.225
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Janna Hiemstra began working for Craft Ontario in 2007, and stepped into the position of Executive Director in 2017. Over the course of her fifteen years with the organization she has established extensive connections with the community, and an in-depth knowledge of the organization's structure, history, and potential for moving forward as an arts service organization. With a background in philosophy, curatorial practice, as well as ceramic studio assistant, Janna brings a wealth of cultural sector knowledge and strategic thinking in support of Craft Ontario's vision and goals. She has successfully worked with the Board, staff, members, supporters and volunteers to re-vision the organization’s mission and mandate, deliver a renewed strategic plan alongside financial stabilization, and is both grateful and determined to focus on 2022 and beyond in order to continue strengthening Craft Ontario’s vital role as a champion of craft.

Robyn Wilcox

Curator

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Robyn Wilcox is a Toronto-based arts programmer and administrator. With a post-professional Master of Architecture (McGill University) in cultural mediations and technology, and a background in the arts, Robyn is interested in the intersection of craft, art, and design. She has curated and co-curated exhibitions at Harbourfront Centre, Craft Ontario, and Urbanspace Gallery. For over six years, she worked in Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre where she helped run Canada’s foremost Artist-in-Residence Program in ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, and design. Robyn has worked with DesignTO since 2016, where she is currently the Head of Programming.

Elycia SFA

Member Relations & Programs Manager

T 416 925 4222 Ext.221
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Elycia has been a Craft Ontario member since 2015, which is also when she graduated from the Material Art and Design Program at OCADU. She is an alumni of the Harbourfront Centre Artist-in-Residence Program, and she maintains her studio practice as a weaver. Elycia has nine years of experience in administration and customer service in creative, art based environments, and will be bringing her knowledge to the Membership Relations & Programs Manager position. Elycia has received wonderful support and assistance from Craft Ontario as a member, and is looking forward to her new role where she can return the favor to the Craft Ontario community.

Sally McCubbin

Digital & Design Solutions Manager

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Sally joined Craft Ontario as Communications Coordinator in the summer of 2017, evolving into Digital and Design Solutions Manager in spring of 2018. She is a glass artist, designer and educator, working as an independent creative since 2005. Her passion for problem solving and new technology inspired her interest in User Experience design. Today she leverages this approach to design thinking in all her professional activities. For excellence in glass, Sally has received national recognition in the way of grants and awards and taught hot-glass and business practice at Sheridan College from 2009-2018. Today she pursues an independent art career in public art and architectural glass art. 

Meranda MacKenzie

Finance Controller

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Meranda joined Craft Ontario in 2013 and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Department including daily banking, accounts payable, payroll and preparing for yearly audits. 

 

CRAFT ONTARIO SHOP STAFF

Caitlin Lawrence

Sales & Accounts Manager

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Caitlin has been with Craft Ontario for over 25 years. Her knowledge of the craft community and the work represented in the Shop is phenomenal! 

Scott Coish

Sales & Marketing Associate

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Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Scott moved to Toronto in 2017 to further his search for new experiences and new opportunities to partake in Craft and Fine Arts related industries. As a recent Communication Studies graduate at York University and a graduate from the CNA Textile: Craft & Apparel Design program, Scott has been able to develop a broad range of knowledge covering both the worlds of Craft and the Study of Communications in an age of technological determinism. With previous experience at Studio Magazine and Craft Ontario as a Communications Coordinator, Scott is excited and eager to start this new role, learning the ins and outs of the Craft Ontario Shop.
STUDIO MAGAZINE STAFF

Nehal El-Hadi

Editor-in-Chief

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Nehal El-Hadi is an editor, journalist and researcher based in Toronto. She has previously lived in London (UK), Muscat (Oman), Khartoum (Sudan) and Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan). With over 15 years of writing and editing experience, Nehal’s interdisciplinary work has appeared in journalistic, academic, literary and art gallery publications, and is forthcoming in several anthologies and edited collections. Themes explored in her writing include the relationships between virtual and material spaces, the agency of digital objects, and gendered and racialised online experiences. Her short film Blaxites (2019) was commissioned by the Surveillance Studies Centre at Queens University and is being used to teach about the implications of technology use. Nehal has a Ph.D. in Planning from the University of Toronto and is a Visiting Scholar at York University’s City Institute. She has taught place-based writing courses at the University of Toronto Scarborough and creative non-fiction and poetry to community groups.

Lera Kotsyuba

Managing Editor

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Lera Kotsyuba is an editor, curator, and art historian based in Toronto. She completed her MA in Art History with a Curatorial Studies diploma at York University in 2015. Working across disciplines in architectural history and craft, she has recently worked on the Inuit Artist Database for the Inuit Art Foundation, worked as editor for the publication “A Thousand Colours” by glass artist Sarah Hall, and convened a session at the 2017 Canadian Craft Biennale on Craft and Public Art. She currently serves as a board member of the William Morris Society. 

Julie Nicholson

Advertising Representative

T 416 925 4222 Ext.228
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Julie Nicholson is a creative place-maker, curator and advocate, exploring the intersection of contemporary craft and design in Canada for over 10 years. From 2006-2014, Julie was co-founder/owner of MADE, a design studio and showroom dedicated to emerging Canadian designer/makers. In 2009 she co-founded ToDO, The Toronto Design Offsite Festival.  Julie has taught in the Craft and Design program at Sheridan College and worked on design projects with numerous clients and collaborators. She continues to develop curatorial and place-making activities through evolving platforms such as Do Design. As Publications Representative for Studio since 2014, Julie enjoys developing and managing relationships with individuals and organisations in support of the magazine.

 

 

Who We Are

Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.