Our Team

	Erica Reshef - Artist / Director / Instructor 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.
	Ayala Reshef - Manager / Instructor 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 teach and inspire young artists in their journey towards a life of creativity.
	Hugo Reshef - Finance & Admin 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 two decades of experience in the field of finances to its success.
	Samantha Demaiter - Instructor I completed my undergraduate degree at Western University in French and in Visual Arts, as well as my bachelor of education. I love working with children, especially when art is involved! It is my personal goal to help each of my students to improve their skills and realize their own potential. I also love being outside, painting and playing with my dog.
	Brigitte Maurice - Instructor When thinking of my time at ArtVenture as a student, I've always felt a sense of peace working on my art projects. Whether it's trying to improve my own piece of art, teaching the kids a new skill or reassuring a young student who isn't happy with their own art, being at ArtVenture has taught me to be calm and patient with everything I do. I am now in my first year at Western University within the Anthropology Program. My experience working and volunteering at ArtVenture has ignited a passion within me to work with children and I am looking forward to watching the artistic growth of my students at the studio.
	Gianna McGrath - Instructor Having completed an Undergraduate degree in Music, Education and Visual Arts at Western University, I am currently working on a Masters Degree in Music Performance and Literature. I have been teaching and volunteering at many academy's and programs since I was 14 years old and am very grateful for opportunities that allow me to combine my passion for music and art with my passion for teaching. I am extremely excited to be a part of the ArtVenture Studio team; being further inspired by every student and their creative artistic minds!
	Anna Wilson - Instructor I am currently in my fourth and final year at Western University for my Bachelor of Fine Art degree. I specialize in drawing and love to draw architecture! When I started at ArtVenture as a student I was already very interested in art. But throughout the years of attending classes I was able to learn about different artists and techniques that made me realize I would be extremely happy to spend the rest of my life creating art. Sharing my art with others, while at the same time, helping others express themselves through their own art has become my life goal, as I work towards becoming an Art Therapist.