The Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio was created in 2011 with a mandate to promote the integration of visual arts, music, drama, and other creative arts into the lives of individuals, families, and communities in the Ottawa Valley.
We work in partnership with local cultural and service organizations to bring people together to explore their stories, images, and creative possibilities.
Our team of trained artist-facilitators host workshops and activities designed to enhance creativity, personal growth and community well-being.
Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio
2018 Board of Directors and Staff
Andy Trull, Artistic Director: Andy is an Artistic Director of the Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio, weaving creative arts into the life of rural community. For the last 15 years he has worked at the intersection of community engaged arts, ecology and social change. He has a PhD from Concordia University in the philosophy and poetics of participation. His current artistic practice integrates participatory poetry, landscape sculpture and wood art.
Anya Gansterer, Artistic Co-Director: Anya is a curator and arts advocate living and working in rural Renfrew County. She began her career at the Wrexham Arts Centre and Museum in North Wales and from 2001 to 2017, she held the position of Culture and Tourism Coordinator for the Township of Madawaska Valley. Anya is recognized by her peers as having the ability to understand the zeitgeist of the times and create space for relevant conversations to take place through a variety of art forms and other cultural expressions.
Doug De La Matter, Co-Chair
Amy Rouillard, Co-Chair
Cathy Lyons, Treasurer
Sigrid Geddes, Secretary
Bev Ritza, Director
Bee Stillar, Director
Genevieve Townsend, Director
Thank you
The Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio is grateful to our community arts partners; Jumblies Theatre and Red Dress Productions, as well as our funders; the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, New Horizons for Senior Program, and Ontario Theatre.
We also wish to thank our community partners and supporters, including the Community Resource Centre, the Killaloe and District Lions Club, the Palmer Rapids Lions Club, Killaloe Friendship Club, the Killaloe Public Library, South of 60 Gallery and Railway Station, Township of Bonnechere Valley, Township of Killaloe Hagarty & Richards, Township of Madawaska Valley, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, and Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County.
And we are eternally grateful to the many community members who have volunteered time and donated money and art supplies to the Studio. As a community arts organization, we wouldn’t be here without your support.