OUR INSTRUCTORS
We wouldn’t be who were were without our incredible instructors.
Our teachers honour Homer Watson by teaching the next generation of Canadian Artists.
Canan Altinkas
What is your artist specialty?
Artist/Certified Therapeutic Art Life Coach /Curator/Creative Advisor/ Educator/ Entrepreneur…
I usually use acrylic on canvas, but I also like using different mediums together. Working with different mediums allows me to use the materials’ advantages to the fullest and express my ideas in more limitless ways in my works. I like to create unique abstract stories on my canvas. I feel it is like opening a portal to a new dimension.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
Creating artwork allows us to make our reality, world, and language. It is an endless opportunity to express ourselves. Every empty canvas gives me the joy and excitement of starting a new journey to the unknown. Art not only allows us to express ourselves, but it is also therapeutic and can heal us.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope my students enjoy learning, expanding their perspectives, and leaving the class with the pleasure of creating something new. Art is an endless journey of making and exploring, and I like to guide my students in that adventure to find their unique voices.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I like to buy books, but I think I buy more than I can read.
Emilie McNamara
What is your artist specialty?
I am an abstract oil painter who LOVES colour; however, I teach folks of all ages a variety of artmaking techniques, including painting, printmaking, textiles, and crafty projects. I love to experiment with all types of art mediums.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
I’ve loved art from a young age and studied it in university. I love to push the boundaries of what I think I am capable of creating and encouraging others to do the same! I believe in the power of artmaking as a way of building community, connection to the self and others, and allowing your inner child to flourish.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope my students leave my classes feeling like they have learned something new, had the opportunity to play, and perhaps surprise themselves with what they can create.
Emmi Boyle
What is your artist specialty?
I like experimenting with many different mediums such as textiles, printmaking, photography and more!
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
I really enjoy the process of creating something with my hands and have grown to appreciate the creative process itself rather than just focusing on the final product. The desire to play and my curiosity for understanding how things work continues to drive my interest to explore.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope my students leave with an expanded view of what art can be. I want to encourage them to explore openly and embrace mistakes as part of their learning journey.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I’m a big nature enthusiast, and I especially love insects!
Filiz Ayd
Water Marbling is a traditional art where patterns are made on water and then transferred to paper. Special water is used, and paints are dropped on the surface. The patterns are created using simple tools. Once the design is ready, the paper is placed on the water to pick up the pattern. Each work is unique, and Water Marbling has a calming effect.
My specialty is Water Marbling, a traditional art form in my country. I have received professional training in Ebru and have been teaching it for over 10 years.
I’ve always had a deep interest in art throughout my life. The beauty and creativity of art drew me in, and my passion for it continues to grow as I explore new techniques and share my knowledge with others.
I hope my students leave my classes feeling mentally relaxed and relieved from stress. I want them to experience the therapeutic effects of creating art and carry that sense of peace with them.
Genevieve Bensason
What is your artist specialty?
My artist specialty is both ceramics and stained glass. I’ve been exploring stained glass for the past three years, working on everything from jewelry to larger panels for display. I also have three years of experience in pottery, focusing on both handbuilding and wheel techniques. I really enjoy the creative possibilities in both mediums! I’m also a member of both the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop and the Potters’ Guild of Hamilton and Region.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
Art has always been a part of my life. From a young age, I felt drawn to expressing myself through different mediums. It’s my way of communicating and connecting with both myself and the world around me. Creating feels natural and helps me ground myself—it’s an essential part of who I am!
The more I explore art, the more I learn about myself, which keeps me wanting to dive deeper. I also love the community aspect of art. Everyone’s practice is so unique, and it allows us to see the world from different perspectives. It’s like getting to walk around in someone else’s mind for a moment, which I find incredibly inspiring!
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope my students leave feeling like they’ve truly expressed themselves and connected with their playful side. There are no mistakes in art, and I want them to walk away not only with new skills but also with the confidence to create without judgment.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
Not only are my hands busy with glass and clay, but they’re also busy growing veggies! I spend my days working at an Organic Farm, where I help grow food for my community.
Ivonne Vargas
What is your artist specialty?
I specialize in embroidery and block printing. I have a deep-rooted love for textiles and find joy in the powerful process of turning everyday items into stunning pieces.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
What drew me to the world of art was the yearning to infuse life and vibrancy into everything I create. The ability to add colour and vitality to the world around me is a constant source of inspiration that keeps me wanting to explore new projects everytime.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
In my classes, my ultimate goal is to ignite the spark of imagination and resourcefulness in my students. I aspire for them to tap into their creative potential, encouraging them to think outside the box and craft their own unique and beautiful creations.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I’m a cat mom and a cat foster. I have now 10 cats at home (3 mine, a mom and her 6 babies), a lot of fun and life around.
Jacquie Herron
My specialty is watercolour painting, and figure drawing/portraiture. I also love plein air watercolour painting and have participated in a number of competitions. I won the Quick Paint award and People’s Choice award at the 2023 Kingsville Plein Air Event.
I can’t remember a time when I haven’t drawn or painted. I started drawing from life at a young age and just drew things that were meaningful to me, such as my pets and stuffies. Being an artist and an appreciator of the Arts is so much a part of who I am. What drives me as an artist is my curiosity. I am always wondering how to create a certain effect, colour or master a particular technique. I am also always inspired by the beauty of nature, especially the sky and water.
A surprising fact about me is that I have taught Elementary School in South Korea and Australia.
Jennifer Robles
What is your artist specialty?
I am an Upcycle Artist with a focus repurposing textiles and materials intended for landfill. My sustainable approach encourages the use of what can be found in nature or what we already have. With a flair for fashion and design combined with a fierce desire to protect the natural world, I try to create my art through resourcefulness and by using old fashioned techniques of salvaging and creating.
What made you want to explore?
In 2017 I moved to a small guest house on 100 rural acres near the Town of Blue Mountains with limited resources as a means to reconnect with myself and nature. I acquired many valuable skills and learned traditional tactics I felt were underutilized by today’s society including sewing, salvaging, horticulture, cooking by flame and vehicle maintenance. There is an art to this way of living and it was through this experience I decided to always try to take the more sustainable route, even if it requires more work, the work would be worth learning. My creative art has taken a deeper turn inward since starting my family five years ago and encourages me to strive towards resourcefulness and being waste conscious.
What do you hope your students take away from the workshop?
I want my students to consider alternatives to buying new, and to put their creative energy into not only being resourceful, but seeing everyday items in a different light.
I want to promote sharing projects, materials and the idea that we all can make small art out of items intended for landfill.
Share a surprising fact:
I like to make clothes for myself and my family using older, beautiful fabrics such as tablecloths, bedsheets and towels, some of which were made in the textile towns of Galt, Preston and Hespeler, known today as Cambridge which is where I live today!
JoAna Iturriaga
What is your artist specialty?
Certified Art Therapeutic Practitioner, artist, graphic designer, and art teacher.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
I have been into arts since I held my first crayon, always creating and exploring different media, not only exclusive on what colors can do on a paper or canvas but writing and combining different media, always exploring and creating new ways of what my inner being needs to express.
Through my personal life journey, I learned to apply and experience the power that art has to help us heal or just understand where we are to decide where we want to go.
I want to share this knowledge and help those who are looking for a companion and guidance in the middle of their journey.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I would like my students to learn to express themself through the language of art. There is no right or wrong, only what you create. I would like my students to discover the power that art has to help express inner feelings and look at them from a different perspective, so they can work with the struggles of life analyzing situations out of the box.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I conduct my classes with a little bit of humor and a little bit of surprising elements that people enjoy. I also play a little guitar, but I won’t play the guitar at my workshops.
Kamalpreet Kaur
Artist Specialty
My specialty is doodle art. I focus on this area because it allows me to explore and express themes or ideas.
Inspiration and Exploration
I was drawn to art because I always had a desire to communicate ideas visually. What keeps me exploring art is the constant challenge and joy of pushing boundaries, discovering new techniques and continually growing as an artist. Each project is a new adventure and an opportunity to learn something new.
Student takeaways
I hope my students take away a sense of confidence in their own creative abilities, a deeper understanding of various artistic techniques and styles. I want them to leave my classes feeling inspired to continue exploring art and to see it as a powerful means of personal and social expression.
Megan Skelton
I love nothing more than sketching tiny urban scenes, whether buildings, streetscapes, well-loved local patios or interesting alleyways. These are generally the places that I see from the seat of my bike while riding around the Waterloo region. Sometimes I paint on site, and other times I prefer to snap a photo so that I can sketch at home. It’s a wonderful way to document the places you go and the things you do! I never leave home without a sketching pen and art paper in my pockets!
I signed up for my first art class in 2017, after I’d read an illustrated article in CAA Magazine. In this article, a watercolour artist had documented their travels throughout the Canadian arctic. The paintings were small and loose, and captured wonderful moments from the trip. I was on my way to Iceland, and wanted to create a similar watercolour travel journal, and a beginner’s class at a local art shop was the perfect starting place.
My hope is that each of my students will come out of this class feeling confident to continue on the journey of finding and embracing their own unique and imperfect styles.
A surprising fact about myself: My art is on a craft beer can at the Neustadt Springs Brewery in Neustadt Ontario. The beer is called The Village Porter, and sports a whimsical sketch of the town of Neustadt. In 2023 the Globe & Mail published a humorous paper I wrote on carry-on luggage (sadly, they have illustrators on staff, so my own art was not used…but that’s ok)!
Nidhi
What is your artist specialty?
I specialize in sketching and painting, particularly with acrylic, pencil colors, crayons, and watercolor. I’m also skilled in crafting and believe that our homes should be decorated with handmade creations, so I love making items to enhance living spaces.”
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
For me, art is an emotion—it’s my passion. I find peace and calm whenever I draw or paint, and it makes me feel deeply connected with nature. Art brings balance to my life and helps everything flow smoothly.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
As an art teacher, my goal is for my students to find peace and let go of their stress through art. I want them to enjoy the process, create good memories, and feel calm and content, regardless of whether their art turns out “good” or “bad.” What truly matters to me is that they have fun and leave with a sense of peace and positive experiences.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
A surprising fact about me is that, while I always knew I wanted to be an artist, as a teenager, I doubted if art could provide financial stability. So, I pursued studies in finance instead. However, after working at a well-known finance company, I realized it didn’t fulfill me. That was when I decided finance wasn’t for me, and I returned to my true passion—art—by completing courses in the arts.
Ræ Azzopardi
MORTVL – Illustrator | Graphic Designer | Fine Artist
What is your artist specialty?
I am a Toronto and Cambridge-based multidisciplinary artist who specializes in illustration, painting, and graphic design. The content of my work contemplates duality, nature, technology, mental health, trauma, and identity by juxtaposing the beautiful with the horrific.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
I do not know the first time I picked up a paintbrush or pencil, but I know it is what I will continue to do for the rest of my life. I will always be open to a variety of mediums. It’s important to develop a relationship with your tools. While working, I have a sense of curiosity about the material properties of different mediums to understand them deeply.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope the student will be able to walk away with an understanding of art fundamentals that can translate to their own personal lives and practices.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
Sometimes I do drag and make music when I am not working in visual mediums. I make really nerdy music using code and I love science! When I was in university, I studied anatomy under a retired physician and cognitive science with a current therapist. Often I approach life with a deep sense of curiosity, which goes beyond the arts, but always finds its way back into my work.
Raheleh Mohammadi
What is your artist specialty?
My specialty is watercolour, with a focus on creating impressionistic pieces that emphasize expressive use of colour and brushstrokes.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
From childhood, I’ve loved painting. When I started working with watercolour, its endless possibilities, fluidity, and interaction with water inspired me. The medium’s potential for creative exploration and experimentation keeps my passion for art alive.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope they enjoy working with watercolour and develop a deeper understanding of its unique qualities, and keep creating their own pieces.
Raflar (Ralf Wall)
What is your artist specialty?
I am a landscape artist and express my vision through acrylic with palette knife, watercolour, pen & ink, as well as digital illustrations.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
I love to tell stories through images. If I can make a viewer lean in for a closer look, then I know I have them invested.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
Confidence to create, explore, and make “happy little accidents”.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I once painted the sunrise from a hot air balloon as it flew over the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Rebecca Hipple
What is your artist specialty?
I am a horticultural therapist by trade, who ended up finding a passion for dried florals. I have been working with dried florals for 5+ years running corporate, community and private workshops. I also provide florals for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and everything in-between. I love how dried florals are low maintenance, sustainable and long lasting. It is a privilege to work with this natural medium to create art.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
During my time as a horticultural therapist I saw the benefits of florals among my clients. I knew this could/should ripple out into the community. So I started to explore how these floral workshops could benefit our communities as a whole. I strongly believe that art gives us an outlet to express our deepest emotions. Creating with our hands connects us back to ourselves, brings us back to the present moment and ultimately provides us with a sense of purpose. It’s in these beautifully slow moments we are fully alive.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
To be fully present & let go of expectations. Many people who attend my classes have never worked with dried florals and expect their bouquet to be perfect. A ‘perfectionist’ mindset is the killer of joy & creativity so I always remind my students to just let go and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I used to bring snakes home from a nearby forest and keep them as pets. (anyone who knows me well, wouldn’t think this is surprising!)
Shannon Stehr
What is your artist specialty?
My art practice relies on my interest in printmaking, ceramics, fibre art, and painting techniques.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
Seeing other artists’ work and trying to sort out how it’s made keeps me practicing and experimenting with new techniques!
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
Making creative decisions can be challenging. By training to think/work intuitively and with careful attention, I hope my students grow more confident in their choices as artists!
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
A life-long dream of mine is to outwit, outplay, outlast, and be crowned the winner of Survivor
Tijana Krivokapic
What is your artist specialty?
My art specialty in screen printing.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
What made me want to explore art is all the incredible stories I realized I could tell through visual media. My love for learning new things and sharing my experiences is what keeps me interested in exploring art.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
I hope my students leave my classes having learned a new medium and that they have a broader understanding of what art can be. I hope they feel more free in exploring art and going outside their comfort zones when it comes to creating.
Share a surprising fact about yourself.
I know how to play the violin.
Trevor Waurechen
What is your artist specialty?
My artistic specialty is block printing, but as I have the attention span of an artist, I also work in light-based installation, sculpture, comix, paint and whatever else I can get my hands on.
What made you want to explore art and what keeps you wanting to explore art more?
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad was a working artist, and I never saw myself doing anything else with my life. Art is a journey that inspires continued travel: no work is ever an endpoint, just a step along the way. Each piece inspires further ideas and explorations.
What do you hope your students take away from your classes?
The best advice I can give students is always: %@*! it up, you’ll learn something! Failures and missteps make us rethink our approaches. Ultimately, this leads to more progress than getting it right the first time.
Past Instructors
Aatiqa Javad
Abeer al Harir
Alice Plummer
Ana Vatres
Andrea Lorentz
Ayesha Shafiq
Barb Di Renzo
Bhairavi Talpader
Brenda Alexander
Brett Holmes
Candice Leyland
Carrie Lam
Catherine Herzog
Cheryl-Ann Hills
Chris MacCleod
Courtney Duristani
Danielle Petti
Dottie Locks
Elise MacDonald
Elvan Suzer
Erienne Rennick
Janice Saunders
Janus
Joe Fansher
Jonathan Tang
Katherine Olenic
Katie Jetter
Kenzie Whittal
Kristine May
Lambertus De Graaf
Laura Moreland
Lauren Martin
Lauren Perrin
Logan Soeder
Marion Anderson
Meg Leslie
Melika Hashemi
Michael Wiens
Moumita Roychowdhury
Navtej Singh
Nimra Bandukwala
Noelle Aplevich
Olena Chorna
Patricia Beader
Pearl Van Geest
Rachel Tanner
Roxana Bahrami
Ruza (Rose) Vatres
Scott McNichol
Singithi Kandage
Soheila Esfahani
Soma Karmaker
Sumaira Tazeen
Supria Karmaker
Thomas Reynolds
Todd Durnan
