WhO WE ARE
CAHEP is an award-winning non-profit arts education organization based in Thunder Bay.
Administrative Staff
Dr. Clara Sacchetti-Dufresne
Director of Administration and Finance
Christopher Merkley (Merk)
Director of Programming, Staff Artist, and Art Club Program Coordinator
Amber Bail
Program and Administrative Assistant
Aleksa Shermack
Director, Speak Up Program
Dr. Abhi Rao
Director of Programming and Staff Artist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Robert Magnusson
Chair
Robert Magnusson, Thunder Bay, ON, is a retired Secondary School Educator, Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and Practicing and Professional Visual, Fibre, and Culinary Artist. Mr. Magnusson utilizes his decades-long Board volunteer experience, high school administrative and teaching experience, and creativity to support CAHEP in its work to spread the joy of art far and wide. He is highly respected, knowledgeable, transparent, reliable, and trustworthy in his stewardship of CAHEP.
Dr. Isabelle Lemée
Secretary
Dr. Isabelle Lemée, Thunder Bay, ON, is an Associate Professor and Chair of Languages, Lakehead University, and a Practicing and Professional Francophone Visual Artist. Dr. Lemée, who was appointed in October 2018, supports CAHEP’s administrative operations (in her experience as an administrator at Lakehead University) and extends her connections to the local Francophone community to help CAHEP operationalize Francophone-centred programming. She also delivers on-the-ground programming when called upon to do so, most especially in situations that required French-language art instruction.
Lindsey Torma
Treasurer
Lindsey Torma, Thunder Bay, ON, is an Associate Lawyer at Edwards Bell Law Offices (Thunder Bay), is passionate about community and capacity-building in Northwestern Ontario, and is an expert in: intercultural awareness (via her Master of Arts work at the University of Waterloo); Labour Relations and Employment Law; and, Indigenous Law. Ms. Torma is from Thunder Bay, is a trained theatre arts-educator-artist, and avidly follows art, film, and literature, especially by Canadian and Indigenous authors. She has volunteered with many organizations that promote and strengthen the arts and culture, particularly in Canada’s North and within the region of Northwestern Ontario. Lindsey is thrilled to be able to contribute her legal and theatre arts expertise, knowledge of Indigenous literary arts, training in intercultural awareness, and know-how of Labour Relations and Employment Law, Indigenous Law, and Civil Litigation to support CAHEP in its work
Anne Winkworth
Director
Anne Winkworth, Thunder Bay, ON, is a Visual Art Teacher, Lakehead Public Schools, Professional Artist, and Graphic Designer. Ms. Winkworth brings her extensive experience in arts education and connections with the Thunder Bay Public schools to support CAHEP’s In-school Program. She also brings her decades-long experience as a professional artist to assist CAHEP in decisions wrt professional development opportunities for local artists.
Renata Mesic
Director
Renata Mesic, Thunder Bay, ON is an Associate at RBC Dominion Securities with several years of banking experience. Her passion for business developed as she completed her Honours Bachelors of Commerce – Finance, and MBA at Lakehead University. Additionally, she has spent the majority of her spare time exploring her artistic side, as she was a competitive dancer for 15 years, a dance teacher for 4 years, and further has a passion for makeup artistry. Miss Mesic is excited to use her professional Finance and Human Resources education and experience along with her artistic side to support the success of CAHEP’s programs.
Veronica McGuire
Director
Veronica McGuire, Thunder Bay, ON, is of Ojibwe and Irish descent. Ms. McGuire has worked: on many Youth and Elders’ Forums with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization; with the Associate Director for Indigenous Natural Resources, Lakehead University’s Indigenous Initiatives Office, and Lakehead University’s Geology department to develop a geological certificate for Indigenous youth in remote areas in Ontario; and, with the Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association (OMAA) to provide information about Metis rights within Canada. She graduated from Lakehead University’s Anthropology Department in Spring 2021 and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Archaeology and Environmental Studies. Ms. McGuire supports CAHEP’s equity commitments regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and will help CAHEP form new partnerships with different youth groups and Indigenous communities. She is most passionate about using art as a way to promote healthy outlets for youth.
Dr. Lisa Korteweg
Advisor (non-voting)
Dr. Lisa Korteweg, Education Faculty, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay ON. Dr. Korteweg has agreed to serve as an advisor for the next four years for our Speak Up Program. She brings her vast experiences and expertise working: with the three school boards in Thunder Bay; with Indigenous organizations and groups; at the university; and, on various program evaluation methods and techniques to support CAHEP in its equity commitments and administrative responsibilities.
Dr. Elizabeth Birmingham
Advisor (non-voting)
Dr. Elizabeth Birmingham, Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON. Dr. Birmingham has agreed to serve as a non-voting advisor for CAHEP and to deliver social justice, gender-based workshops for artists interested in participating in our Speak Up Program. She brings her experience working with girls and female youth and her administrative, legal, and human resources knowledge (and connections to experts in these fields via Lakehead University) to CAHEP. She is also a poet.
CAHEP contracts local artists as freelance or independent agents* to deliver inclusive arts programming for children, youth, families, and seniors in Thunder Bay. We work in partnership with schools and community groups to offer low-cost and/or free in-person and online programming to folks across the City of Thunder Bay.
LEAD ARTISTS
Aleksa Shermack
Aleksa is a multi-disciplinary, performance artist who was born and raised in Thunder Bay. Through her work as an artist and arts educator, Co-Executive Director of the Community Arts and Heritage Education Project and Director of the Eleanor Dury Children’s Theater, Aleksa provides opportunities for youth, and supports community members to engage in meaningful opportunities to express themselves creatively.
Christopher Merkley (Merk)
Merk is a Thunder Bay artist primarily focussing on illustration and graphic novels, but also delved into photography, painting, mixed media, music, and even a little podcasting. He’s worked with CAHEP for 4+ years sharing his artistic love of comics, drawing, and photography, and reveling in the spark he sees in young artists as they discover new creative paths.
Abhi Rao
Abhi enjoys working with different media such as fiber, ceramics, and metal as each medium provides avenues for self expression. He is interested in bio sustainability -which is the most pressing issue for the survival of the planet – and its relation to fabrics, dying, and natural pigments. Currently, Abhi Is experimenting with natural dying techniques from India and Japan and exploring their relevance in Canadian lived experiences..
Nathan Cross (Nate)
Nathan completed his bachelor of fine arts degree in 2022 with a primary focus on sculpture, ceramics, and drawing. He is a visual artist whose artwork is drawn from his life experiences and influenced heavily by the world around him. His most recent artworks reflect on mental illness and the feelings and affects that addiction a compasses .
Judy Czank-Mayor
Judy is a local artist who has lived in northern Ontario most of her life. She has been working with CAHEP for 18+ years. With a passion for Art and the love of nature and animals, Judy spends a lot of time painting outdoors to capture the beauty of the north. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of art with people of all ages..
Christine Battle
Christine is a creative movement artist and CAHEP's external evaluator. She has carried out numerous creative evaluation projects and loves to bring out the creative energy of Thunder Bayites.
Mallory Gresch
Mallory is a contemporary multimedia artist currently attending Sheridan College. She has been working with Cahep for the past four years, delivering art programs in person and online.
VOLUNTEERS, SUPPORTERS AND DONORS
CAHEP relies on the ongoing support of amazing and creative community members, teachers, educational assistants, Principals, Vice-Principals, parents, and caregivers who enrich and enhance our programming!
A huge THANK YOU to the many volunteers and friends of CAHEP who help us deliver our programming and all of the anonymous donors who help us fund our projects.
OPERATING FUNDING
- Ontario Arts Council
- City of Thunder Bay
PROGRAM | PROJECT FUNDING 2019-2022
- Canadian Women’s Foundation
- City of Thunder Bay, Recreation & Culture Division
- Boys and Girls Club, Thunder Bay
- Johansen Larsen Foundation
- John Andrews Foundation
- Ontario Trillium Foundation
- Thunder Bay Community Foundation
- United Way of Thunder Bay
Meet the Artists
Artists involved with CAHEP play an essential role in the success of our organization. They contribute their skills, passion and creativity when collaborating with children, youth and community members participating in programming.