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.

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

David Kaarsemaker (he/him) – AGGV Studio Instructor

David Kaarsemaker holds a BFA from Concordia University and an MFA from the University of Ottawa. He has worked as an art educator in a wide range of institutions, including The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Ottawa School of Art, Algonquin College, and the University of Ottawa. His work is included in the collections of Global Affairs Canada, the City of Ottawa, the City of St John’s, The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery, and the Newfoundland Provincial Art Bank. David’s paintings over the past few years come from ideas and images that arise from the quiet mental states achieved after several days of walking alone on long backpacking trips.
davidkaarsemaker.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.

Kirk Robinson (he/him) – AGGV Studio Instructor

Kirk Robinson is a visual artist who graduated from the Emily Carr University of Art + Design in 2020, with a focus on drawing and painting. Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Kirk moved to Vancouver after completing the Visual Arts diploma program at Camosun College in 2018. Over the past two years, Kirk has worked at Arts Umbrella on Granville Island, where he enjoyed being part of a multidisciplinary community that offers unique art education to students, including the Art Exchange, a visual arts collaboration program between Arts Umbrella and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Kirk’s current art practice focuses on creating accessible projects, aiming to ensure people can interact with his work. He uses recyclable and discarded materials to create various forms that celebrate the ordinary in a playful way. In his downtime, Kirk enjoys exploring and learning new skills with tools, skateboarding, and cooking.

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 centers 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 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 centers 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.