Board Members

  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. 

  Lori Burke has been a resident of Ridgeway in Fort Erie since 2015. She join the FEAC as a Board Member in 2018, a background in art, design, marketing and business, she also owned and operated one of Ontario's first Medical Aesthetics Day Spas in Barrie Ontario for 13 years with a staff of 28 employees she wore many hats. In addition to her professional pursuits, Lori contributes extensively to a wide variety of community organizations in various capacities, one of which is the Wellspring Cancer Hospital, where she is a committed volunteer teaching patients and their supporters a wide range of art classes. Lori supports the FEAC in a variety of ways as Marketing Director she is responsible for keeping the social media sites current, she volunteers at the hub and participates regularly at the Red Ribbon Gala.

Joachim is a traditional artist who works out of his Fort Erie based studio. A graduate of the Sheridan College Illustration Program, he has worked on everything from collectable gaming cards, lighthearted fantasy, sports boards, portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and many other commission pieces that have found their way to his studio. Inspired by the beauty of the world around him, his art is his passion and he feel truly fortunate to be able to share his gift with others. 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.  

Nick is an owner and partner at Regional Limousine, since 2010. You can find Nick working in the shop 365 days per year, making sure the vehicles are ready to hit the road. Nick also enjoys volunteering time on the Board of Directors for the Fort Erie Arts Council, and is the winner of the 2016 Niagara Entrepreneur Award for Tourism and Hospitality. In Nicks spare time, he enjoys spending time at the cottage with his family.

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

Maria and her husband moved to Ridgeway, in 2018, retiring early from her 30+ years in a technology-based profession. She started operating mainframes, then supporting computer users and has owned her own business providing Microsoft Office training and IT support for 20+ years. Maria also has built and continues to maintain several websites: including the FEAC website.

Maria’s photography experience started in her teens joining her school’s photography club followed by a few years in front of the camera as a model.

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. 

Her work has been displayed in several exhibitions and there are many commissioned pieces that can be found in private collections throughout Canada.

Chrissy Schram is a Canadian Combat Arms Veteran with the Royal Canadian Dragoons with 7 years of service. Toronto born, she moved to Fort Erie following her release from the Military to pursue a quiet, safe and clean community here in Fort Erie. Chrissy has dedicated her branding and graphic design skills to the town of Fort Erie by providing a donated SPCA sign she designed, printed and illustrated along with the SAFE logo the fire department fire alarm safety program of Fort Erie. Recent publications of Chrissy can be found in the 2020 Fort Erie community guidebook, rediscover Fort Erie brochure and the new 4x5 foot Bay Beach illustrated map and design. She has several Children’s books through Meadow Road Publishing available on amazon and a successful online fun family portrait and pet portrait business at Facebook.com/whatwhenwhowherewhy

Bob Burke joined as a FEAC board member in 2020 and resides in Ridgeway On.  He has been a FEAC volunteer for the past three years, volunteering with the Spirit of Christmas, Ridge Fest,  Art Battle our community fundraiser event and our major fundraiser Red Ribbon. 

Bob has been employed for the past 12 years as a sales professional in the pedestrian automatic door industry. Bob has been in sales and operations management for the past 35 years. His vast experience within commercial finance, student transportation and pedestrian door solutions will be a welcome and add diversification to our present board.
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