Executive Team

Donna has been involved with the FEAC since 2009, starting out as a volunteer for their signature event: Red Ribbon she quickly learned how important Arts and Culture were to our Community. Making her way to a seat on the Board of Directors as an Event Coordinator, this allowed her to participate more with community festivals, events, school programs, art classes and overall awareness. She has her certification in Interior Decorating, is an Artist and brings many years of experience in Retail Management, all of which these qualities aid her in her current position as President of the Fort Erie Arts Council since 2015. A true supporter of the Community and all things Arts and Culture, she welcomes you to participate and become a part of our organization.  

 Lisa Smid is a Professional Engineer who is an admirer and supporter of the arts.  She has great respect for the artists who create such magnificent beauty especially as her talents lie elsewhere.  In addition to enjoying her work as a member of the FEAC Board of Directors, Lisa is a member of the St Philomena Catholic Parent School Council and co-chair of the Family Ministry committee of St Michael’s Church.  Lisa retired from the Canadian Army Regular Force after 20 plus years of service and is now a proud member of the Army Reserves.  With an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration, she is currently employed as a contractor for a Canadian Engineering firm and employed as an Operational Architect and Systems Engineer.  Lisa is married to a wonderful husband and together they enjoy time with their two beautiful daughters.  In her spare time Lisa enjoys art, running, biking and losing herself in a thriller while enjoying red wine, dark chocolate and Miss Vicki’s Salt and Malt Vinegar Chips. 

Brenda Daneyko has had, since a child attending Saturday morning art classes at the Edmonton art gallery, a lifelong interest in all forms of the visual arts, not limited to but including painting, drawing, photography, flower pounding, beading, embroidery, stamping, rock tumbling and collecting shells and sea glass. 

Before starting a family she was an architectural draftsperson for 7 years and has been a Supply Secretary for the District School Board of Niagara for almost 9 years which contributes to an eye for detail. 

A resident of Fort Erie for 21 years, she continues to  explore and participate in creativity. Volunteering in school play set creation and attending art classes whenever she can has promoted a varied lifelong experience in creativity. 

She is very excited to help expand  the visual arts for all of every age in Fort Erie, which could use a boost in adopting the visual arts.

Maria Harrison-Edge is an acrylic, watercolour & ink artist, photographer, and a Fort Erie Arts Council (FEAC) Board Member and Instructor. 

Maria and her husband, Tony retired in Ridgeway after her 30+ years in a technology-based profession. She worked in supported computer users and owned her own business providing Microsoft Office training and IT support for 20+ years. Maria also built and maintains the FEAC website.

Being a self-taught artist, Maria began in 2005 to paint in watercolour, unfolding a talent and a spirited passion. She continues to develop her artistic skills by attending courses to enhance her techniques. 

Maria is a FEAC art instructor as well as the class registrar.

 Natalie is an artisan and designer, who has honed her skills in various arts, which include sewing, sketching, jewellery making, knitting, painting, and more. Graduated with a certificate in Fashion Design and experience in online administration and marketing, Natalie brings a burst of creativity to the FEAC. Originally from Burlington, Ontario, Natalie saw the small-town charm of Ridgeway and soon discovered the arts council’s various classes. She spends her time developing new fashion designs and social media graphics for the FEAC. A member of the board of directors, she hopes to meet other artists and grow within the arts community.

Throughout her life, Denise has dipped her toe into nearly every art medium; music, drama, dance, sculpting, drawing, painting, prop making, jewelry & beading,  photography and remains a master of none. But the delight of learning something new, and the acceptance of making art just for the joy of creating is its own reward.

Denise is an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and has been active as a medical and disabilities advocate for 35 years.

Having moved to the Crystal Beach/Ridgeway area in 2008, she has seen the remarkable transformation of the area through art and effort on the part of local folks. 
She is passionate about providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for all to enjoy their own artistic and creative pursuits. 

Joachim is a graduate of the Sheridan College Illustration program and works as a traditional artist out of his Fort Erie studio. He has worked on everything from Collectable Card Game fantasy illustrations to portraits, wildlife, landscape, light hearted fantasy and even classical rendered copies. Inspired by the beauty of the world around him he tries to create an emotional response with his art as well as capture the energy and beauty of the natural world around us all. Working in a realistic style in oil or acrylic, he enjoys working with bold colours, warm and cool contrast and a strong sense of composition while always continuing to explore new styles and subject matter. 

A member of the Fort Erie Arts Council since its inception in 2005, he feels strongly about promoting the arts and helping to expand creativity in our community.