Youth Employment Experience at Lake Country Art Gallery
Past Years Seasonal workers, Interns and Gallery Assistants
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2023 Gallery Assistant
Steph Townsend is a Lake Country local at heart. She previously graduated from George Elliot Secondary School, worked at Lake Country Radio Cafe (FKA Lake Country Coffee House), and filled the 2016 Summer Student position at LCAG. Steph lived in Vancouver from 2015 to 2022, where she attended Capilano University and completed a Bachelor’s of Motion Picture Arts. Following graduation, she went on to gain experience in the film, photography, animation, and video game industries. After a whirlwind of freelance work and job opportunities in the city, Steph had returneded to rejoin the team at LCAG and continue studying. In the spaces between, she continues to work and explore in the mediums of photography, documentary, and writing. @townofphoto |
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2022-2023 Gallery Assistant Cassidy Luteijn (she/her) is an artist from the traditional unceded lands of the Matsqui and Sumas First Nations (Abbotsford, BC). She holds a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Victoria and was awarded a Canada Council Explore and Create grant in the fall of 2020. She has an active studio practice and has been twice nominated for an Abbotsford Arts Council ‘Arty Award’ in the Emerging Artist category. She loves to hike year-round and aims to provoke thoughtful discussions with her work surrounding ever-changing landscapes and our interactions with the land.
Cassidy is a painter, designer, illustrator, ceramicist, muralist… The list goes on but can be summarized by the tidy term “artist”. She lives and works on the unceded territory of squilx”/syilx (Okanagan) peoples in Lake Country, BC. Equally at home in the gallery, on the pottery wheel at Turiya the Fourth studio, selling wine at Intrigue Wines, or on her yoga mat at Invati. 2023 Update: Cassidy now works as the Curatorial Assistant at the Audain Gallery in Whistler BC |
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2022 Gallery Assistant, funded by CSJ.
Hana Hamaguchi is a recent graduate from UBCO in the BFA program. She was born in Banff and has been a resident of Kelowna since 2009. Her main areas of interest are photobased screenprinting and painting. In general, she likes exploring the line between digital and physical spaces and the norms that populate each space. She enjoys the process of deconstructing the visual elements that make up the peripheral of our digital experience and using a physical process like screenprinting to render an image. She has particularly focused on digital exploitation, digital spaces, and our relationship with the online world. Her work is currently part of the BFA show Emergence at the Vernon Public Art Gallery until July 19th, 2022. 2022 Update: Hana now works as an assistant at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art |
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2021-2022 SWP Funded by CHRC - Gallery Assistant:
Nakheem Duhaney. Born in Kingston, Jamaica Where he spent the first twelve years of his life. He then immigrated with his family to Kelowna in 2008. He is currently a 4th year Student at University of British Columbia Okanagan, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology. He’s hoping to complete a Masters in Data Science or Software Engineering. His favorite areas of Art include working with sketches, water colors and digital media. Nakheem’s interesting in art art just beginning, he likes to try to intricate his love of Video Games and his Jamaican Culture into his work. Nakheem has previous experience working as a Market Coordinator with the Kelowna's Farmers Market. Nakheem brings a great mix of transferable skills to the team, |
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2021 Gallery Assistant funded by CSJ:
Michaela Bridgemohan is currently an MFA candidate at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan and received her BFA (with Distinction) from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2017. As a Canadian interdisciplinary artist of Jamaican and Australian descent, her artistic practice examines land, intuitive making, magpie gathering, superstitions, drawing, sculpture, and installation all to enhance the landscape of Black mixed-race subjectivity. Bridgemohan has collaborated with artists and facilitated community-engaged performances, workshops, artist talks, and panels. She has been exhibited across Canada and in Australia. These exhibitions mainly reflect various intersections of contemporary Blackness and Feminism. Exhibitions include the Feminist Art Collective (Toronto ON), Diasporic Futurisms (Toronto ON), Art Gallery of Alberta (Edmonton AB), Stride Gallery (Calgary AB), Marion Nicoll Gallery (Calgary AB), Whitebox Gallery (Brisbane QLD) and Jugglers Art Space (Brisbane QLD). She was also graciously awarded the Graduate Deans Entrance Scholarship from UBCO in 2020 and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts – Visual Arts and New Media Grant in 2018. Update 2022: Michaela Bridgemohan founded Black Liquorice Studio, a BIPOC artist collective. Update 2023: Awarded provincial and federal funding for banff residency. Emerging Artist. |
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Summer 2021 Community Engagement Assistant funded by CSJ:
Faith Wandler was born in 1998 in Penticton, British Columbia. Raised most of her life in the Okanagan, she is a recent graduate from UBC Okanagan’s BFA Program. Faith’s main use of materials consists of handmade papers, acrylic ink, typewriting and embroidering. She works with conceptual craft consisting of handbound books, scrolls and journal type pieces. Her context revolves around her struggle with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and how repetitive internal experiences such as intrusive thoughts can be released through the act of creation. Her works have been shown in multiple shows at UBC Okanagan’s Fina Gallery, 2021’s Art on the Line fundraising event and her grad work is currently being shown at Vernon Public Art Gallery May 27 until July 21 2021. |
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2020: Gallery Assistant, funded by CSJ:
Laurel Demetrick is a recent graduate from UBCO with a BA in psychology. One of her greatest passions is art, both learning about art history and practising art. Specifically focusing on acrylic painting, fashion designing and sketching. In her spare time, she runs an Etsy store selling painted denim jackets. Highlights during Laurel's term at LC Art Gallery included supporting the exhibition Me Looking at You Looking at Me, which included work by over 40 gallery members on the theme Contemplating the Female Gaze. For the main summer exhibition Significance Stares at me from Everywhere, Laurel supported the curator and local artists Alison Beaumont and Lynette Schlichting along with Vancouver-based artists Katherine Coe and Eve Leader.. During this exhibition Laurel guided the gallery tour component of the 2021 children's Summer Camp. Laurel is excited to learn and work in an environment with people who share her interest in art. In her future, she will either pursue education in fashion designing or law school. |
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2019-2020: CSJ intern May-Aug and YCW/ CHRC intern Sep-Mar 2020
Nicola Treat graduated from UBCO with a BFA in Visual Arts. With previous education in Fashion Design from CATO, Nicola often applies these skills towards her practices as a visual artist. While her main artistic focus is sculpture, she is also interested in drawing and painting. Highlights during Nicola's term at LC Art Gallery included supporting the CLOTH CULTURE exhibition featuring Artists Beth Howe, Zoe Kreye, Tiziana La Melia and Holly Ward. Also supporting the exhibition ATKLOKEM featuring Sylix artists Barb Marchand, Sheldon Louis, Mariel Belangerand and support curator David Wilson. Attending a one-week workshop Empowered Filmmaker Masterclass for Indigenous Youth/Adults - Vernon - presented by Telus, Storyhive & VOVO Productions, with tuition from Farhan Umedal, Nicola paired with Becky Nordling to make a short VIDEO featuring the ATKLOKEM exhibition and interviewed two of the featured artists. Nicola is very interested in community projects and public art, and plans to apply to grad school to earn her Master’s Degree. |
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2018 Summer Student, funded by CSJ:
Moozhan Ahmadzadegan is a graduate of UBCO with his BFA in Visual Arts and Art History. His artistic interests include painting, drawing, printmaking, and more. As a visual arts student Moozhan loves being involved with the artistic community both on and off campus. Moozhan took a lead role with the Visual Arts Course Union at UBCO during his final student years. Now working at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art as well as Opus Art Supplies, Moozhan continues to pursue his own art practice from his studio in Lake Country, Moozhan is a founding member of the Laundry Room Collective . The LRC organise pop-up exhibitions and events for recent graduate students and the wider community. In 2020 the LRC brought two exhibitions to LC Art Gallery: Alongside Her and Under the Skin. In 2021 we look forward to another LRC grad exhibition in May-Jun |
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Former Summer Student (2017): Brock Gratz
Currently a Visual Arts student at UBCO, Brock is also one of the founders and producers of the geek culture convention KFX, which was founded in 2014. With a style that has been influenced by a diet of comic books and Japanese manga, Brock’s work extends across a variety of mediums but follows a consistent cartoon/science fiction theme. The subject of choice is usually robots or mechanical objects. His eventual goal is to enter the field of comics, and has an interest in exploring some more unconventional art installations- exhibits that allow the viewer to interact with the work. Brock worked at the Art Gallery in 2017 as the Summer Student gallery assistant, and believes that the experience was fun, challenging and offered an inside look at how the art community functions. |
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Former Community Engagement (Summer 2017): Courtney Jenkins
Originally from the Lower Mainland, Courtney is very passionate about art. Having participated in many courses throughout her life her goal after moving to the Okanagan was to explore and seek out local education in her chosen field. Studying at the Centre for Arts and Technology she graduated with an animation diploma and was hired right out of school to be a character animator. She mostly enjoys digital art and will be going back to school for graphic and digital design in the fall to further her knowledge in the digital arts. |
Former Summer Student (2016): Steph Townsend
Steph is a born and raised Winfielder who aspires to be a filmmaker of sorts. recently graduated from Vancouver’s Capilano University in the Motion Picture Arts Program. Here she learnt skills from screenwriting to boom mic operating to making an effective pre-production schedule. Some of her achievements include having her script Your Type filmed in April by a classmate and having her self-directed/edited short film La Finta Nonna shown in the 2015 Toronto Student Film Festival. https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/home/young-okanagan-film-creators-develop-pilot-episode/
Steph is a born and raised Winfielder who aspires to be a filmmaker of sorts. recently graduated from Vancouver’s Capilano University in the Motion Picture Arts Program. Here she learnt skills from screenwriting to boom mic operating to making an effective pre-production schedule. Some of her achievements include having her script Your Type filmed in April by a classmate and having her self-directed/edited short film La Finta Nonna shown in the 2015 Toronto Student Film Festival. https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/home/young-okanagan-film-creators-develop-pilot-episode/
Former Summer Student (Summer 2014 & 2015): Jody DeSchutter
Jody went on to complete her BFA at UVic. She has since been working with the city of Victoria on some community mural projects and with the PAAC on a public art project in Lake Country. She was also pleased to present a commissioned piece for the University of Victoria this past year. She is looking forward to beginning an MFA on the horizon and expanding her practice as much as possible! Meanwhile ... in Sep 2016 Jody moved to London Uk and landed a job as Invigilator at the Newall Street Gallery in Central London (yes that's Damien Hirst's' gallery!) And now in her second year there has a new role as FOH Assistant
Jody went on to complete her BFA at UVic. She has since been working with the city of Victoria on some community mural projects and with the PAAC on a public art project in Lake Country. She was also pleased to present a commissioned piece for the University of Victoria this past year. She is looking forward to beginning an MFA on the horizon and expanding her practice as much as possible! Meanwhile ... in Sep 2016 Jody moved to London Uk and landed a job as Invigilator at the Newall Street Gallery in Central London (yes that's Damien Hirst's' gallery!) And now in her second year there has a new role as FOH Assistant
Former Summer Student (Summer 2013) and 2016 Guest Curator : Peter Green
Peter has now graduated from Queen’s University. He achieved a BA (Honours) in art history and a BSc (Honours) in biology. His professional experience is in arts management, public relations and communications. Moving to Kelowna in the spring of 2015, he worked as the Gallery Manager at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, also writing for the Okanagan Art Review. Hailing from Toronto, Peter has worked in strategic partnerships with public relations agency Arts & Communications. While attending university in Kinston, Ontario he was the Executive Producer for Theatre Mies and the Communications Chair of the board of the Union Gallery. Update 2017 Peter is continuing to add accolades to his educational journey as both an MBA student at Schulich School of Business & concurrent MA (Art History) student at York University
Peter has now graduated from Queen’s University. He achieved a BA (Honours) in art history and a BSc (Honours) in biology. His professional experience is in arts management, public relations and communications. Moving to Kelowna in the spring of 2015, he worked as the Gallery Manager at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, also writing for the Okanagan Art Review. Hailing from Toronto, Peter has worked in strategic partnerships with public relations agency Arts & Communications. While attending university in Kinston, Ontario he was the Executive Producer for Theatre Mies and the Communications Chair of the board of the Union Gallery. Update 2017 Peter is continuing to add accolades to his educational journey as both an MBA student at Schulich School of Business & concurrent MA (Art History) student at York University
Former Summer Student (Summer 2012): Nicole Ensing
After working as a Summer Student at LC Art Gallery in 2012 and completing her BFA at UBCO, Nicole went on to achieve a Masters in Art History (June 2016) at Queen's University. From there moving to Banff to work as an Archival Assistant and Preparator at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies while also working at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity as an Archival Assistant. In 2017 Nicole secured the position of employment as Archivist of The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.
After working as a Summer Student at LC Art Gallery in 2012 and completing her BFA at UBCO, Nicole went on to achieve a Masters in Art History (June 2016) at Queen's University. From there moving to Banff to work as an Archival Assistant and Preparator at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies while also working at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity as an Archival Assistant. In 2017 Nicole secured the position of employment as Archivist of The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.
Former Summer Student (Summer 2011): Heather Leier
Heather Leier is an artist and previous Assistant Professor based in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada. Currently, she has been given the opportunity to teach, research and serve as part of the Department of Art as an Assistant Professor in printmaking at the University of Calgary.
She completed her BFA from the University of British Columbia in 2012 and received her MFA in Printmaking from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 2016.
Her work has been exhibited in many international exhibitions including The International Biennial Print Exhibit: ROC at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art and 2015 Guanlan International Print Biennialin Guanlan China. Solo exhibitions of her work have been presented by Martha Street Studio (Winnipeg), The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art (Kelowna), and the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning (Duluth).
Heather Leier is an artist and previous Assistant Professor based in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada. Currently, she has been given the opportunity to teach, research and serve as part of the Department of Art as an Assistant Professor in printmaking at the University of Calgary.
She completed her BFA from the University of British Columbia in 2012 and received her MFA in Printmaking from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 2016.
Her work has been exhibited in many international exhibitions including The International Biennial Print Exhibit: ROC at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art and 2015 Guanlan International Print Biennialin Guanlan China. Solo exhibitions of her work have been presented by Martha Street Studio (Winnipeg), The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art (Kelowna), and the Hudgens Center for Art and Learning (Duluth).
UBCO Practicum Students
Former Student Intern, (Winter 2016 - Spring 2017): Moozhan Ahmadzadegan
Moozhan is a student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan majoring in Visual Arts and taking a minor in Art History. His artistic interests include painting, drawing, printmaking, and more. As a visual arts student Moozhan loves being involved with the artistic community both on and off campus. At university he participates with the Visual Arts Course Union and regularly volunteers at events. He also enjoys attending local exhibitions and occasionally exhibits his own work. He hopes to continue working on his artistic practice, eventually gain his Master's Degree, and be involved with the local arts community.
Moozhan is a student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan majoring in Visual Arts and taking a minor in Art History. His artistic interests include painting, drawing, printmaking, and more. As a visual arts student Moozhan loves being involved with the artistic community both on and off campus. At university he participates with the Visual Arts Course Union and regularly volunteers at events. He also enjoys attending local exhibitions and occasionally exhibits his own work. He hopes to continue working on his artistic practice, eventually gain his Master's Degree, and be involved with the local arts community.
Former UBCO Practicum Student (2013 - 2014): Alexa Porteous
Alexa studied Fine Arts at UBCO. With a passion for painting, drawing, digital media and photography Alexa has decided to re-direct her education and is tranferring her application to join a Design course at the Visual College of Art in Vancouver, meanwhile spending time working with her digital art painting skills .
Alexa studied Fine Arts at UBCO. With a passion for painting, drawing, digital media and photography Alexa has decided to re-direct her education and is tranferring her application to join a Design course at the Visual College of Art in Vancouver, meanwhile spending time working with her digital art painting skills .
Former UBCO Practicum Student (2013): Jason Chan
Jason went on to complete his degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Interdisciplinary Performance at UBCO. Now he is a freelance photographer marketer, and musician. His current band James The Iceberg is finalising their debut EP and it is to be released in March of 2016. Jason's photographs were recently displayed at the Okanagan Regional Library, Rutland branch, as part of the Art in Empty Spaces Exhibition organised by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan [ARTSCO] and Uptown Rutland Business Association [URBA].
Jason went on to complete his degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Interdisciplinary Performance at UBCO. Now he is a freelance photographer marketer, and musician. His current band James The Iceberg is finalising their debut EP and it is to be released in March of 2016. Jason's photographs were recently displayed at the Okanagan Regional Library, Rutland branch, as part of the Art in Empty Spaces Exhibition organised by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan [ARTSCO] and Uptown Rutland Business Association [URBA].
Former UBCO Practicum Student (2012 - 2013): Lucas Glenn
Lucas is an Okanagan-based artist and student. He is currently in his fourth year of UBC Okanagan’s BFA program. Central to Glenn’s life is print. Whether it’s designing posters, studying typography, printmaking, practicing collage, collaborating on artist books, or making his own art, Glenn’s fascination with the medium is ongoing. His interests lie in philosophy, theory, and industry. Home to Glenn is a series of desks that he puts his things on; when he is not in the studio layering pieces of books and scraps, he is busy inking up the pages of his notebooks.
Lucas is an Okanagan-based artist and student. He is currently in his fourth year of UBC Okanagan’s BFA program. Central to Glenn’s life is print. Whether it’s designing posters, studying typography, printmaking, practicing collage, collaborating on artist books, or making his own art, Glenn’s fascination with the medium is ongoing. His interests lie in philosophy, theory, and industry. Home to Glenn is a series of desks that he puts his things on; when he is not in the studio layering pieces of books and scraps, he is busy inking up the pages of his notebooks.
Former UBCO Practicum Student (2012 -2013): Kelsie Balehowsky
Kelsie went on to complete her BFA from the University of British Columbia Okanagan graduating with a Medal in Fine Arts for being at the top of her class year. While in University Kelsie served as the Vice President of the Visual Arts Course Union and received funding to bring Canadian Artist Jonathan Hobin to UBC-O to present and participate in a public lecture and panel discussion on Art and Controversy. Kelsie spent 3 years working at the Kelowna Art Gallery including as Public Programming Assistant.
NOW at the Vernon Public Art Gallery as Education Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Kelsie has implemented new and exciting programs to engage with and meet the needs of her community.
Kelsie is also a practicing artist and contributing editor of the Okanagan Art Review.
Kelsie went on to complete her BFA from the University of British Columbia Okanagan graduating with a Medal in Fine Arts for being at the top of her class year. While in University Kelsie served as the Vice President of the Visual Arts Course Union and received funding to bring Canadian Artist Jonathan Hobin to UBC-O to present and participate in a public lecture and panel discussion on Art and Controversy. Kelsie spent 3 years working at the Kelowna Art Gallery including as Public Programming Assistant.
NOW at the Vernon Public Art Gallery as Education Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Kelsie has implemented new and exciting programs to engage with and meet the needs of her community.
Kelsie is also a practicing artist and contributing editor of the Okanagan Art Review.
