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. 

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 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. 

Art was always Debra’s favourite class! A class she always excelled in and winning a number of prizes at the county fair over her school years. Using acrylic, pastels, paper mache as well as designing and

making some of her wardrobe.

Debra decided to go back to college when her son was 6 and in school all day. She then started her career with the Canadian Federal Government. She retired in 2015 after close to 30 years of service.

Retirement didn’t last long and Debra took on a part time position which has now become a full-time position with a company she worked for before returning to school. This company is in the tourist

business and is always very busy. She is about to retire again for good this time.

Debra enjoys spending time volunteering at the Fort Erie Art Council HUB. She enjoys meeting a variety of people coming in to browse and learn more about what the FEAC has to offer local artists and

residents. Debra is hoping to learn more about the FEAC and become an important contributor to the day to day operation. She is also hoping to become more involved in community events. Debra is fairly new to the Fort Erie area, but happy to call it home.

Debra is continuing to expand her talents by taking courses to learn new techniques and the use of several mediums.

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.

Tony and his wife Maria moved to Ridgeway in 2018, retiring early from his 30+ years as a Sales Professional working for some of the largest names in the Information Technology world. While not an artist himself, Tony has been known to take a photograph or two, one of which has appeared in the local Fort Erie Post newspaper. He also very much enjoys encouraging Maria in her artistic endeavours.

A passionate golfer, when not on the course Tony works part-time at Port Colborne Country Club as a Marshal and Starter.

Like most of us, Tony is a HUGE supporter of local businesses throughout Niagara but especially here in Ridgeway and looks forward to contributing his energies to the Fort Erie Arts Council.

“Art helps you process your emotions and understand your surroundings. It

allows you to see life from a different perspective and it makes you feel alive. Art

has always been an important part of human society since the beginning of time.

Art has been used as a tool for cultural exchange, education, and expression.”

Barbara originally hails from Western Canada and spent many an hour in her

youth expressing herself through sketching, pen and ink, watercolor,

photography and creative writing. After graduation she entered the

workforce and ended up pursuing a career within retail management and

consultation, and like many people found life became busy and her creative

endeavors were put on hold for many years.

After relocating to the Fort Erie area in 2020, she recently rediscovered the

joy of art through the various classes she enrolled and attended at the

FEAC Gallery and Hub. She decided by joining and serving on the board,

she would best be able to assist the Senior Board Members in their vision

of promoting, growing and supporting the arts and the artists within this

great community.