2016 Artist: ManChoi Chow (Michael)

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“Discovering creative connections between art, photography, and healing is ‘recreational’ and great fun for ManChoi.
In addition to being featured in cover art (CDs, service bulletins, pamphlets), fine art décor, greeting cards, commercial posters, and book cover, his work includes videos for Spiritual Care and Counseling research promotion, and productions for prayer and meditation that integrate images, sacred text and original music.
Until joining UpTown Gallery, his work has been exhibited at People’s Gallery (Waterloo), where someone took notice of his works’ ‘Zen’ quality and appeal. He was featured at Gallery M (Cambridge) in 2014, and at Paula White Diamond Gallery (Waterloo) and Framing and Art Centre (Kitchener) in 2015.
Chow ManChoi lives in Kitchener with his wife, Bonnie, at Edenwilde, and can be reached at lilypad(at)sentex.ca or visit www.ManChoi-Chow-Photographer.com.”

2016 Artist: Lee Angold

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Lee is a botanical and scientific illustrator working in watercolour, coloured pencil, and pen & ink. Her detailed illustrations are colourful and bold. Lee is a member of the Botanical Artists of Canada, and a current student in the Society of Botanical Artists Diploma program.
leeangold.com

2016 Artist: Eekta Trienekens

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“Being born and raised in a small village in The Netherlands with extended travels to India during childhood, living in, and in between, two worlds was just a given fact. A fact that provided lots of inspiration as the two are so far apart, visually and in every other way but can also be very close. They are definitely both close to the heart.
After studying some Fine Arts and finishing a bachelor in Art Education (Utrecht). I realized my other love needed some study too: India! I completed my masters in Indology (Leiden) and ever since the music, literature and art of India continued to inspire me.
Painting, drawing and crafting have been my love and passion as long as I remember.
My work incorporates childhood memories of rural India, nature, dreams, experiences and encounters. After moving to Canada in 2010 another dimension was added, the immigrant experience.
I always considered myself more a painter. But, that was before I got properly introduced to ceramics. Since last fall (2015) I have been spending most of my available time in the potter’s studio. I am so grateful to have this opportunity as a member of the wonderful community of the Waterloo Potters Workshop. I am learning and enjoying the process each and every day.”
www.studioeekta.com

2016 Artist: Caroline Keogh

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Caroline has, for many years, had fun with many forms of visual art, including quilt-making and fabric art. She gives herself creative license to experiment back and forth between mediums. She has sold work through art shows at Unity Centre in Kitchener. As a teacher, Caroline earned her Visuals Arts specialists, and she learned to take her creative work and title as an artist more seriously by joining the KW Artist’s Co-Op in 2016. There is a great deal of creative energy going on in Caroline’s space at the studio!

2016 Artist: Carly Leyburne

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Carly Leyburne is a Waterloo based artist. In 2016 she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal, and is now a member of the KW Artists Co-op. For the past five years she has been working as a portrait artist, and is currently exploring landscape paintings that reflect place, memory, and identity.  
carlyleyburne.com

2016 Artist: Ryan Brooks

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Ryan Brooks is Kitchener based artist who enjoys working in a variety of mediums. From intricate ink drawings with lighthearted themes, to impressionist skylines in acrylic, Ryan explores creativity through changing moods as much as through practiced technique. Recently he has begun to explore simple paper craft as a medium, and of course: Pumpkins! Look for Ryan’s Jack-o-Lanterns on Saturday and Sunday (weather-permitting).

2016 Artist: Ralf Wall (Raflar)

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I love to paint in the great outdoors. Most of my watercolours and many of my acrylics are painted on location throughout Southern Ontario. I frequently travel around my home town of Kitchener/Waterloo and as far as Algonquin Park, Georgian Bay, Bruce Peninsula, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and everywhere in between. When I’m not out in the wild, you can find me sharing studio space at Globe Studios in Kitchener.
www.raflar.com

2016 Artist: Lenore Brooks

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“My name is Lenore Brooks. I’ve spent my whole life, one way or another, immersed in design.
As the daughter of an artist, I developed an early love of art and design. This artistic drive eventually took me to Humber College’s Interior Design program in Toronto. I graduated with honours and began working as a Registered Interior Designer for both architects and designers. Working in Toronto was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to work on multi-million dollar projects, and develop my technical skills. But, after more than a decade in Toronto’s high-end design scene, and with a growing family, I was ready for a change.
Moving my family to Kitchener and launching Lenore Brooks Design, my own home design and staging business, was the beginning of a more relaxed lifestyle. I was able to return to doing some of the things I loved but hadn’t had time for. Sewing, embroidering and painting are loves that have been with me since childhood, while resin art is a new and exciting foray for me. My design experience has helped with my art and creations and I am always open to creating custom items for your home with materials that will best fit your décor. Being part of the K-W Central Art Walk keeps me creating new things throughout the year.”
lenorebrooksdesign.com

2016 Artist: Jennifer Backler

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“I make purses and bags that you will love. Using a variety of fabrics and different styles, there is sure to be one that you cannot live without.
Through My Favourite Dress I also create the item of clothing that you love but can’t get anymore. The dress you have is too small or too big or you need it in a different colour or length.
I take the dress, make a pattern, and create a new one in another fabric and adjust the sizing to suit so you can wear your favourite dress again!”
myfavouritedress.ca