COMMUNITY COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Matthew Agostinis ~ Wood
Matthew Agostinis is a furniture designer/maker who specializes in a contemporary and modern-rustic style. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Furniture Design program, his work embodies a look of simplicity without the need for unnecessary ornamentation. In addition to teaching Community Courses and being a Resident Artist at the Living Arts Centre, Matt works with various residential and commercial clients and companies in the GTA. Artist website: www.mafurniture.com

Len Aguano ~ Painting & Drawing
Len Aguanno is a native of Toronto and honours graduate from the Ontario College of Art. From illustrating eight commercially-published children’s books (many in their second printing) to winning “Best in Show” at the 1993 Toronto Indoor Art Show, Len has shared his unique impressionistic approach to painting with the world. He is influenced by the great Canadian painter A.J. Casson and, as a landscape artist, has traveled throughout Europe and North America. He has received several grants, including those from the Ontario Arts Council, and done commissions for many corporate and private collectors. Commercially, Len has done numerous editorial illustrations for national magazines and publications, as well as for TV Ontario. Currently, his work is on display in many North American premiere art galleries, and is an annual favourite in the juried “Canadian Opera Women’s Committee Art Show” in Toronto.

Alex Anagnostou ~ Glass
Born in Toronto, Canada, Alex Anagnostou has danced around with the visual arts for over 20 years. Sculpting blown and cast glass since 2000, much of her conceptual work deals with the plight of the human condition. In addition to teaching Community Courses, Alex is currently a glass Resident Artist at the Living Arts Centre.

Susan Applewhaite ~ Theatre
Susan Applewhaite is a graduate of Corona Academy in London, England and has studied in Toronto with Sears and Switzer, George Randolph and Adam Lazarus. She has over 20 years experience on stage and in television and film. Susan teaches theatre, musical theatre, movement and dance and has choreographed for theatre and competitive skating. She is an enthusiastic, energetic teacher, passionate about bringing the magic of theatre to children and adults.

Farhee Asghar ~ Mehndi Art
Farhee Asghar is an artist, muralist and designer. She has a Bachelors of Design from NCA in Lahore, Pakistan. She paints backdrops for theatres, wall murals for homes and restaurants, designs interior décor projects and has her own 2B Art and Design Studio. With her forte in drawing and painting, she has enjoyed tutoring children and adults to learn to draw and experience different mediums at her studio. She has worked with Milan Design Inc. doing faux finishes and murals in high-end residential homes. More recently, she worked for The Bay’s Belle Magazine and currently, she is a store design Consultant for Watts Current Inc. In addition to instructing Community Courses at the Living Arts Centre, Farhee does private art lessons and freelance commissions.

Nicole Bzikot ~ Screen Printing
Nicole Bzikot is a graduate of Sheridan College, School of Craft and Design. Nicole’s work encompasses many textile processes including felt making, screen printing, appliqué and embroidery.

Robert Chan ~ Wood
Robert Chan has been a designer and maker of fine wood furniture since graduating from the Humber College Cabinet Making program about 10 years ago. He appreciates both traditional and modern designs and tries to instill a timeless quality in his furniture. He loves the natural beauty of wood and often highlights it in his designs. Robert has also been a part-time faculty member at Humber College for the past three years. He is currently a Resident Artist and Instructor at the Living Arts Centre.

Stefanie Cosentino ~ Jewellery Making
Stefanie Cosentino developed an interest in jewellery making at an early age and went on to complete her diploma in Fashion Arts from Humber College. Her countless hours making arts and crafts as a child led her to a career where she could turn her artistic visions into wearable art. She perfected her craft to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces both during her time at Humber College and while working under the tutelage of Nancy Ciccone from Baubles Inc. Stefanie has spread her wings and embarked on a new journey with her own company. Now specializing in bridal and formal pieces, Stefanie has a knack for turning a bride's vision into a sparkling reality. From rosaries and chandelier earrings to everyday sparkle, Stefanie's pieces reflect the personality and flair of her customers' visions.

Emma Gerard ~ Flameworking
Emma has been drawing and creating for as long as she can remember. Her love of creation eventually led her to pursue ceramics at Sheridan’s Crafts and Design program in Oakville, Ontario. Upon arrival, she was bitten by the glass bug and has been addicted to glass ever since. After three successful years at Sheridan, including a summer residency at The Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Emma is now a professional glass artist. In the summer of 2008 she was lucky to attend Pilchuck Glass School studying with Jennifer Elek, as well as Red Deer College with Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen to further her education with the material. Last year she had the opportunity to return to Sheridan as a Teaching Assistant. Her sculptural work has been shown alongside some of the biggest names in craft, both locally and internationally. Artist Website: www.emmagerard.com

Mandy Hanafi ~ Dance
Mandy Hanafi is a Licentiate with the International Dance Teachers' Association (Ballroom Highly Commended and Latin Highly Commended), and the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association (Latin Highly Commended). Mandy is a former Canadian Professional 10 Dance World and Ballroom representative, and has been a Canadian Professional finalist for seventeen years. She is a certified scrutineer with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and has appeared on numerous television programs, such as Dancing at the Palais on WTN. She has also performed in commercials, movies and for many celebrity showcases. In addition to instructing at the Living Arts Centre, Mandy has been teaching at the University of Toronto for 23 years.

Brian Henry ~ Creative Writing
Brian Henry has been an editor, teacher, and writer for more than 20 years. In Canada, he has edited for Boston Mills Press, General Publishing, and Harlequin Books, and in the United States for Kensington Publishing and Meteor Publishing. He has reviewed books for The Toronto Star and Books In Canada, written numerous articles for The Canadian Jewish News and written opinion and analysis pieces for The Toronto Star, The Canadian Jewish News, and the Jewish Tribune. Brian is also the author of a juvenile version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He has led creative writing workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Sudbury, but his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students to get published.

Wendy Humenny ~ Dance
Wendy Humenny currently teaches classical ballet at dance studios in Mississauga and Oakville. She is a full member of the Canadian Dance Teachers' Association, Ballet Division, and follows their curriculum in preparing students for examinations. Her formal ballet training is in the Cecchetti method, and she successfully completed her exams at the National Ballet School of Canada. She has enjoyed opportunities to study with distinguished teachers. In addition to guest teaching, Wendy has participated in dance conventions, workshops, summer schools and teacher training courses. She has also performed in, and choreographed for, numerous stage shows and recitals. Wendy instructs students of all ages, from beginner to advanced levels.

Lisa Irvine ~ Visual Arts
Lisa Irvine is a sculptor and mixed media artist whose inspiration is deeply rooted in her Irish ancestry. She has an Honours Specialist in the Art & Art History program from the University of Toronto and her Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. Lisa began her teaching career in 1999 and currently instructs Visual Arts for the Peel District School Board. In addition to teaching, Lisa has exhibited her work extensively including at the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Streetsville Gallery, AWOL Gallery, the Canadian Sculpture Centre, Hart House, and John B. Aird Gallery. Lisa’s work has also appeared in several private and public art collections including at Queen’s University, Kingston. In 2000, she was the recipient of the Emerging Artist of the year from the Mississauga Arts Council. Currently she is a participant in the Sculptor Mentorship Program through the Burlington Art Centre.

Nicole Kibath ~ Glass
Nicole Kibath has been a practicing glass artist for 15 years. Her training began at the University of Toronto's Art School. After three years there, Nicole entered the glass program at Sheridan College School of Crafts and Design. Since graduating in 1997, Nicole's work has found wide-spread success. Her pieces have been the object of multiple international awards and juried exhibitions. Currently, her work can be found in several galleries in North America and Europe. From this success, Nicole has garnered wisdom about her medium, which she has shared with aspiring glass blowers and her students while serving in various teaching positions.

Rosalia Kovarsky ~ Sewing
Rosalia Kovarsky is a graduate of Kiev’s Technological Institute of Fashion and Textile; she is an engineer-technologist and holds a Masters Degree in clothing. Rose has more than 20 years of dressmaking and patternmaking experience working as a senior patternmaker in the fashion industry in Canada and overseas. In addition to being an Instructor for Community Courses at The Living Arts Centre, she currently teaches sewing and patternmaking classes at George Brown and Seneca Colleges and Haute Couture School of Fashion Arts and Design in Woodbridge. She is an enthusiastic, energetic teacher, passionate about passing her extended knowledge to her students.

Csilla Perenyi ~ Ceramics
Csilla Perenyi is a graduate of the Hungarian University of Applied Arts in Budapest. She is an artist, crafts person, and industrial designer in porcelain and has participated in many exhibitions and shows. Over the past 10 years, Csilla has led numerous classes in ceramics at institutions and organizations such as Academy of Artisans, Pickering Potters Studio, and the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation. In 2003, she joined the Living Arts Centre as a ceramics Instructor and, currently, is conducting school and community workshops for all age groups.

Marisa Picard ~ Ceramics
Marisa Picard is professionally trained in Mississauga and has been working with clay since 1995. As a locally recognized artist, her work has been on display across the Western GTA at various art and craft exhibits, as well as in Central Ontario specialty craft shops. An active member of the local crafts community, Marisa instructs pottery classes for children and adults.

Mary Porter ~ Visual Arts
Mary Porter is a visual artist and arts educator living and working in Toronto. She holds a BFA (Visual Arts) from NSCAD University and an MFA (Visual Arts) from York University. Her art practice is interdisciplinary, rooted in painting and drawing, and her work has been shown in group and solo exhibitions across Canada. She has worked as an instructor at York University, OCAD, and the Living Arts Centre, and has been involved in various community art education projects.

Richard Rallon ~ Photography
Richard Rallon has enjoyed 40 years within the photographic industry in various positions, including technician, artist and teacher. While attending Humber College’s Creative Photography Program, he worked in a local camera store as a darkroom technician and as a freelance photographer. As his knowledge expanded, he became a department Manager for a large camera store in Toronto and eventually became an owner of his own camera store. It was during this period that Richard started teaching continuing education in Photography at Humber College. Over twenty years later, he continues to share his love of photography at the Living Arts Centre.

Matt Robertson ~ Flameworking
Matt Robertson was born in Ontario, Canada, and has been creating art since childhood. He worked in many different mediums, such as ceramics and painting, before falling in love with glass. Matt was originally enrolled in the animation program at Sheridan College in Oakville before discovering and switching to glass—a medium that best expresses his ideas. Since graduating from Sheridan, he continues to paint and work as a professional glass artist. Matt currently teaches flameworking at the Living Arts Centre and plans to open his own studio in the near future. Artist Website: www.mattrobertsonglass.com

Patrice Stanley ~ Painting
Born in Montreal, Patrice Stanley graduated with a BFA from Concordia University. She is the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including those from the Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council. Represented by several prominent Canadian galleries, her work can be seen in numerous private and corporate collections. In addition to her practice, Patrice has extensive teaching experience. She was the founder of the Beaches School of Art, as well as a painting instructor for the Toronto District School Board, Continuing Education, the City of Ottawa, Community Programs and art teacher for the Academie McDonald Cartier in Ottawa. Ethereal and bursting with color, Patrice’s work is committed to the tradition of oil painting. Forging her position toward a genre of contemporary, abstracted landscape painting, she pushes and pulls her medium in a tug of war between surface, depth, light, darkness, turbulence, serenity, abstraction and representation. Conjuring up the spirits of both post-war Abstract Expressionism and 18th Century landscape painting, her work is authentic, innovative and full of historical references.
Artist Website: www.patricestanley.com

Susan Stopps ~ Jewellery Making
A jewellery maker for over twenty-five years, Susan Stopps is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art (1983) and George Brown College, Jewellery Arts program, with a Diploma in Goldsmithing (1986). She has been a participant in numerous design and technique workshops, and employed as a professional jeweller. Susan has exhibited her work in numerous shows, stores, and galleries across North America. In addition to being a Community Course Instructor at The Living Arts Centre since 2002, Susan has been teaching at the Toronto District School Board since 1985, and at various high schools and art camps for the Ontario Arts Council’s Artist in Education program since 1997. She has also taught at the post secondary level at George Brown College and at Nunavut Arctic College in Coral Harbour, where she established their current program and studio.

Ishrat Suhrwardy ~ Ceramics
Ishrat Suhrwardy was born and brought up in Pakistan, a country rich in ceramic traditions. She studied at the National College of Arts Lahore, Pakistan. Her aesthetic is influenced by the rich culture of the orient. Since emigrating to Canada, her work is reflecting the feel of the West, including the weather and the environment. Now, Ishrat is adding found objects and mix media to her works. She is also enjoying the facilities of other studios at the Living Arts Center to express her creative self. She was recently awarded “Best Primitive Firing” by the Homer Watson Gallery in Waterloo at their annual juried exhibition. Currently, Ishrat is a Resident Artist and Instructor at the Living Arts Centre.

Melodie Telfer ~ Arts & Early Childhood Education
Melodie Telfer has always enjoyed working with and learning from children and youth. After earning her Early Childhood Education diploma at George Brown College in 1996, she spent six years in Western Canada where she earned a BA and Masters in Education. Melodie moved back to the GTA in 2003 where she now works as the Children and Youth Program Coordinator for Mosaic Church in Mississauga. Melodie has over fifteen years of experience in early childhood education and especially enjoys introducing children to the vibrant world of the Fine Arts. Melodie has always been engaged in the creative arts on a personal level and has studied ceramics, creative writing and dance. She strongly believes that creative expression through movement games, art, music and stories is fundamental to a child’s overall development and can provide a healthy foundation for later learning and success. Melodie is delighted to be returning to the Living Arts Center where she will be teaching Jr. Move and Create and Move and Make Believe for the 2009-2010 season.

Kristina Udegbunam ~ Dance
Kristina Udegbunam was born in Etobicoke and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. She started taking jazz at age 12 with Maryanne Marsh and continued with ballet and modern. She is a graduate of the Regional Arts Program at Cawthra Park Secondary School and Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Kristina is an active member of the Toronto dance community through her associations with the contemporary dance company Kaesha Dance and the Ill Nana dance group. Recently, Kristina has been gaining exposure internationally with her involvement with the 2009 Bill T. Jones workshop series and her participation in House Dance International Competition of 2009. Currently, Kristina teaches in numerous schools and studios across the GTA, where she shares her knowledge of and passion for contemporary dance.

Julie Vetro ~ Visual Arts
Julie Vetro received a Bachelor of Education from Brock University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art & Art History from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. During her time as a student, Julie received several awards in painting and sculpture and was featured in publications highlighting outstanding work. Since then, Julie has worked as an artistic designer with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board creating set designs for musicals such as Cinderella, Aladdin, and Annie, and as a visiting artist/painting instructor for elementary school children. Julie enjoys participating in various juried shows and group exhibitions in the GTA.

Rachael Wong ~ Glass
Rachael Wong works primarily in installation with blown glass elements involving play, communication and experience. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass from the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture/Dimensional Studies from Alfred University in New York State. Currently a Resident Artist and Instructor in Glass and Flameworking at the Living Arts Centre, She has also practiced and taught in the Glass Studio at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Artist Website: www.rachaelwong.ca