Artist / Director

erica@artventure.ca

Owning, running, and instructing Visual Arts in a private setting is a privilege and a pleasure. I graduated from Teacher's College with Visual Arts as my major followed by a B.Ed. degree from University of Alberta and have spent 40 years in the classroom teaching all grades - from Senior Kindergarten through to High School. When not in the classroom, I spent my time painting, sculpting, working on commissioned art, and raising our family. As retirement approached, so did my desire to begin a new and exciting chapter in life, and in 2007 ArtVenture became a reality. With each passing term at the studio, I continue to enjoy watching our students approach the process of art as an adventure. It is a journey I enjoy taking alongside my students and am very proud of the inclusive environment we were able to build at ArtVenture.

Manager / Director / Human Resources

ayala@artventure.ca

Creating ArtVenture from ground-up has been a family dream and a personal highlight of my career in the field of Education. Focusing on the Visual Arts has compiled all the best that education has to offer in one inspiring location with talented students, whose desire to learn is both invigorating and remarkable. Bringing forth 20 years of classroom experience with a B.Ed. degree that has enabled me to teach in Edmonton, Vancouver, Stratford, London (UK) and London (Ontario), I feel fortunate to be working alongside my family as we pay homage to art history and help pave the path towards a creative outlet for our current students. ArtVenture’s focus on the Visual Arts has enabled me as a passionate photographer, to bring forth my love for composition, balance, and repetition as means to imbue knowledge and inspire young artists in their journey towards a life of creativity.

Finance & Administration

hugo@artventure.ca

Shortly before retiring from an engineering career that took me from the University of Alberta in Edmonton to the National Research Council in London, I joined Erica and Ayala to co-found ArtVenture which was Erica's dream as an artist and art teacher. My interest, and later passion for finances, started when I joined H&R Block as a tax preparer in 1988. After completing the requirements and receiving a certificate from the Canadian Institute of Financial Planners I started my own business in personal and business taxation which I continue to practise to date. I'm proud to be part of this fine and unique institution and  to be able to apply over three decades of experience in the field of finances to its success.

Instructor

Ever since I was a child, I have always loved expressing myself through art. Regardless of what I was pursuing socially or professionally, I continued to engage in sketching, watercolour painting, and DIY (Do It Yourself) projects. Though I attended university to become a Lawyer and received my undergrad in Criminology and English, I soon realized Law was not for me and set my mind on teaching. I have been supply teaching for the Thames Valley District School Board since I graduated from the teaching program at Western University. I have taught students from kindergarten level all the way up to the twelfth grade, in almost every subject area. I am excited to bring my love of art and my teaching experience to ArtVenture and look forward to seeing my students' artistic creations come to life.

Instructor

Art has always been my favourite subject in school. After high school, I attended H.B Beal's art program, specializing in textiles and intaglio printmaking. During this time, I volunteered as an Assistant Art Instructor at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care and I was also a Program Assistant Volunteer at the London Children's Museum! In 2023 I earned my BA in Family Studies and Sociology at Brescia University College, and have continued my studies at Western University's Bachelor of Education program. As I work towards receiving my teaching certificate, I am also supply teaching with the Thames Valley District School Board. I am very excited to combine my love of art with my love of teaching here at ArtVenture and I cannot wait to see what inspiring creations my students come up with! 

Instructor

My name is Karlie and I am a second year student at Western University for Fine Arts and Philosophy with the hopes of attending teachers college afterwards. I have worked with children for over four years at various summer camps as well as at schools around the County of Brant and throughout London. I have been passionate about art since I was four years old, creating my own business Karlie Jean’s Painting at the age of 15 and gaining scholarships and achievements for my excellence in art and education. I enjoy acrylic and oil painting, and love exploring all different types of media from sculpture to film. I have volunteered at ArtVenture since 2023 and am excited to be joining the artistic staff as a classroom art teacher!

Instructor

Art has always held a spot in my heart. I studied with a major in Visual Arts and a minor in Set Design at York University then completed a diploma in Interior Design. All pathways in my life have allowed me to be creative and express myself through a given discipline. Over the past 8 years, I have been fortunate to share my ideas and skills in the visual arts through many venues and organizations in the city. Now, here I am at ArtVenture adding to my community of art loving people.

For me, art is about play. Play for children comes naturally, but for adults this can be difficult. We are taught to narrow our vision and live in boundaries. Art has allowed me freedom to connect to our world and search for tools and techniques that make me feel comfortable and soulful. My greatest dream for any artist, beginner or experienced, is make time to play and enjoy the process that comes with it. ArtVenture is the perfect setting for you to soar; I look forward to soaring too.