Meet the Studio Team
Meghan Krauss (she/her) – AGGV Studio Coordinator
Meghan is a photographic artist based in Victoria, BC, navigating domestic chaos alongside her partner and two children. Originally from Northern Saskatchewan, her journey led her to Vancouver Island in 2015 following a transformative three-year photography practicum internship at The Banff Centre. Her work has been exhibited across Canada and the US, supported by scholarships and grants.
As Studio Coordinator, Meghan is dedicated to nurturing artistic exploration and fostering a vibrant creative community. Leveraging the studio’s access to gallery exhibits, she inspires critical inquiries and fosters a deep appreciation for art and culture. Under her guidance, educators in the learning and engagement department establish meaningful connections with participants, prioritizing inclusivity and enabling individuals to explore their artistic potential freely.
Meghan’s photography explores the profound connection between people and their environments, capturing moments in various settings to convey human narratives. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences, she reflects on the resilience and creativity of her community. Excited to explore new avenues, Meghan looks forward to collaborating with fellow community members to bring their unique stories to life through her lens.
Meghan holds an MFA from the University of Windsor (2012) and a BFA from the University of Saskatchewan (2005). Additionally, Meghan shares her passion for the arts as an instructor at the AGGV Studio, as well as teaching courses at the Vancouver Island School of Art and through Continuing Studies UVic.
meghankrauss.com
April Caverhill (she/her) – AGGV Studio Instructor
April Caverhill is a Victoria based illustrator and visual artist who also makes frequent forays into found object sculpture and fiber art. She is an honors graduate of OCAD University in Toronto. Her illustrations appear in publications in Canada and the US, including Victoria’s ‘Focus’ magazine. As an art educator, April has enjoyed working with a wide range of organizations including Victoria and Toronto elementary schools, Girls’ Alternative Program, AIDS Vancouver Island, and PEERS Victoria. Articles and interviews about her art have been featured on national radio and television and published in Asian Art News, Artichoke, Monday, and Boulevard magazines.
aprilcaverhill.wordpress.com
Sarah Mizuki Nishida (she/her) – AGGV Studio Instructor
Sarah Mizuki Nishida is a visual arts student living in Victoria BC, originally from Nara, the oldest capital city of Japan. She explores themes of identity and beauty from the perspective of the Japanese diaspora, drawing on her multicultural background in her art practice. By combining an unconscious connection to Japanese culture with a Western art approach, she works across various mediums, including photography, painting, and sculpture.
Sarah received a scholarship for her first-year achievement, recommended by her faculty for her meticulous research and extensive practice. Her current art practice focuses on projects that capture the transience that emerges with the passage of time. In recent years, she has also developed an interest in fostering connections with others through art and strives to be part of a collaborative and welcoming learning community.
Maya Rosenberg (she/her) – AGGV Studio Instructor
Maya Rosenberg is a visual artist and arts educator who has been teaching and creating in diverse communities for over a decade. She has been involved in vibrant art communities around the world.
While living in the Yukon for over a decade, Maya became an active member of the northern arts scene, teaching painting workshops across the territory and exhibiting her work in the Yukon Arts Centre, Winnipeg Art Gallery, and more. She has been involved with multiple local art galleries and has run her own arts business, Art by Maya, for over seven years — offering visual arts programs and workshops for all ages, indoors and outdoors.
Maya’s art is deeply inspired by nature and community. She works mainly in watercolours, acrylics, and mixed media. Her work explores the textures of everyday life — using wood, embroidery, light, and seasonal elements to reflect transitions. Through colour, texture, and layered storytelling, she captures the emotional and physical landscapes of her life. She sees art as a common language — one that crosses cultures and brings people together through shared creativity, curiosity, joy, and expression.
As an educator, Maya has taught K–12 students through public schools, community programs, and Artist in the School initiatives. She believes deeply in the power of art to inspire (all ages!), and add colours to our day, and is thrilled to be part of the teaching team at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria!
mayaart.ca
Natalie Shumka (she/her) – AGGV Studio Instructor
Natalie Shumka studied at the Victoria College of Art and graduated as class valedictorian in 1999. She transitioned to being a full-time artist when her husband proposed 20 years ago. Since then, her work has been included in juried shows in Vancouver with the Federation of Canadian Artists, as well as on Vancouver Island at various venues such as the Sooke Fine Arts Show and the Sidney Fine Arts Show. She’s also had the pleasure of showing her work among the talented artists who are members of the Island Illustrators Society. Her artwork has found homes around the world; it still amazes her that someone in Germany owns one of her pieces.
Natalie primarily works in oils, but often takes time to draw in charcoal, pencil, and pastel. Currently, her subjects are chosen based on their relationship to her three kids. Since they frequent local beaches, much of her work is inspired by life on the west coast.
Teaching all age groups and skill levels brings her immense joy. Over her 20-year teaching career, she’s met countless inspiring individuals who motivate her to be the best instructor she can be, whether in her home studio or at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Laura Tait (they/them) – AGGV Studio Instructor
Laura Tait is an artist living on unceded Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories (Victoria, BC). Currently focusing on narrative art, their work is centered on illustration and comics using traditional techniques including ink, watercolor, and printmaking. They are passionate about the intersections of history, art, inclusive representation, and storytelling.
Laura’s artistic and storytelling skills were broadened when they attended the Comics & Graphic Novels certificate program at Camosun College from 2022-2023, during which they self-published their first comic anthology. They are currently a regular contributor to the local publication Dyke News.
As an art educator, Laura encourages creative exploration for those of all artistic capacities, and centres participant-led learning where everyone is considered to be an equal contributor to the learning space. Making creative expression as accessible as possible is key to their teaching practice.
Kelcie Vouk (she/her) – AGGV Studio Instructor
Kelcie Vouk is a dedicated artist and educator with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s of Educational Technology from UBC. After relocating to British Columbia in 2015 to pursue her passion for teaching, she landed her dream job as a middle school art teacher in SD61.
Kelcie’s teaching philosophy centres on the importance of a supportive learning community where students feel encouraged to take risks, explore their identities, and engage with diverse perspectives through artistic expression. She believes that mistakes are integral to learning and strives to create a classroom environment full of creativity, energy, and humor.
In her own artistic practice, Kelcie is particularly passionate about ceramics but has experience with a broad range of media, and enjoys experimenting with anything she can get her hands on. Inspired by the stunning natural beauty of Vancouver Island, she continuously draws from the natural world to fuel her creativity. Her work reflects an ongoing awe for the island’s landscape and a commitment to artistic experimentation.
Everett Wong (he/him) – AGGV Studio Instructor
Everett Wong is a second-generation Chinese Canadian artist and maker. His practice lies in the specialities of textiles and sculpture. His predominate skill sets lie within the realms of knitting and garment design, print, painting, paper cutting, and soft sculpture. He is a BFA graduate from the University of Victoria in 2011. He majored in painting, costume design and screen-printing, culminating in a multimedia textile-based practice. Everett has a bold passion for combining colour and textures in vibrant and unorthodox methodology.
Everett is also a graduate from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, with a Masters in Fashion Menswear-Knitwear design. His current practice is a continuing exploration of third culture experiences and masculinity, all rendered in the medium of textiles and exuberant craftsmanship. He currently resides in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
