Sparrow Arts Society Board of Directors
Sandra Neill
Sandra founded Sparrow Artspace in July of 2021 as a private non-profit social enterprise and formed Sparrow Arts Society in July of 2023 along with previous artists-in-residence.
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Sandra Neill has a passion for the arts with 30+ years of arts-related experience (ArtCity, Cultural District, ACAD, Art Central) and a Certificate in Arts & Culture Management. Sandra and her family created Art Central in the early 2000’s and she missed being in such a creative community. Her intention with Sparrow Artspace is to bring the spirit of Art Central to this wee space and for this Sparrow to spread her wings out in the community by supporting and collaborating with art organizations and artists.
Sandra is interested in how the arts can intersect with community building to create meaningful connection, engagement, and a sense of belonging, in her previous role as Engagement Director in Crescent Heights. Sandra is honoured and humbled to join the board (May 2022) of the Pokaiks Reconciliation Society! Sandra also has a studio with her partner Milo Dlouhy where she is diving into her own art practice at grenouille-kralik.com
Sparrow Artspace has been a creative experiment for Sandra as she provides an incubator space for testing new creative ideas, artistic collaborations, and community connections, and she is excited about transitioning this project and others into Sparrow Arts Society.
Jenny Dale Stables
Jenny is an accomplished artist and educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Education, and Certificate as a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner.
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Jenny was first introduced to Sparrow Artspace as a guest Teaching Artist in April 2023. In March 2024, she held her own puppetry art residency where she facilitated numerous family and adult workshops for the community.
While earning her B.F.A in Visual Arts, Jenny began her career as a Teaching Artist at Medicine Hat College, where she ran art programs for children and youth during the summer of 2000. After graduating in 2001, she moved to Montreal and taught preschool art classes at The Visual Arts Centre. In 2003, she returned to Calgary to attend the University of Calgary, earning her B.Ed. in 2005. Jennifer then worked for the Calgary Board of Education holding teaching positions in Arts Integration, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Kindergarten. She also served as the President and Board Member for the Calgary Reggio Network Association, a non-profit organization that offers professional development for early childhood educators inspired by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia Infant and Toddler Centres.
In 2013, Jenny transitioned back to creating and teaching art full-time and founded Jenny Dale Designs. Through her business, Jenny creates whimsical painting, sculptures, puppets, illustrated books, and poetry, in addition to offering art residencies to schools. She has written and/or illustrated 20 publications including picture books, poetry collections, chapter books, educational resources, and early readers.
Jenny currently teaches in schools as an Artist-In-Residence throughout Calgary and Southern Alberta, and works as a facilitator and teaching artist at Arts Commons. She also serves as the Educational Programming Manager for WP Puppet Theatre, and the Director of Family Programming for Sparrow Arts Society.
Mellissa Fonseca
Mellissa Fonseca is a finance professional with over two decades of international experience in treasury, banking, and corporate leadership.
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Following a distinguished career in the field, she chose to pursue her creative calling and is currently an Arts student at the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts), specializing in glass arts.
Mellissa holds an MBA from Insper (Brazil) and a Post-Degree Diploma in Canadian Business Management from Vancouver Community College. Based in Calgary, Alberta, she contributes strategic financial oversight to Sparrow Artspace as a board member.
Doro Buch
My name is Doro Buch, and I am honoured to be a part of the Sparrow Arts Society. My journey with Sparrow began as their first artist-in-residence in July/August 2021, an experience that opened up new possibilities for collaborations and opportunities thanks to Sandra Neill’s guidance.
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I’m a visual artist dedicated to creating and curating art that engages and inspires. My practice explores themes connecting people and places, rooted in social discourse. I work with various media, from traditional painting to animation and video projections, challenging conventional boundaries and playing with perspectives.
Community engagement is central to my work. I strive to bring art into public spaces, moving beyond traditional gallery settings. My goal is to ignite discussions, broaden perspectives, and make art accessible to all, fostering collective rethinking of societal narratives and sparking meaningful conversations.
Since 2021, I have managed the Mini Galleries project in Calgary, Crescent Heights, which brings art to unconventional spaces and involves the community in public art exhibitions. Additionally, I have been the vice-president on the board of Artpoint Gallery & Studios Society. This role has allowed me to support and engage with local art communities, enhancing their vibrancy and growth.
Being on the board of Sparrow Arts Society enables me to support an organization that aligns with my passion for fostering creativity and community involvement. I am committed to advancing our residency program and community Artspace, ensuring that local artist have the opportunities I had to explore ideas, share their work, and connect with the Calgary community. Sparrow Arts Society is a nurturing environment where creativity flourishes and community connections are forged. I am delighted to be part of this dynamic organization and look forward to its ongoing success and evolution.
Danielle Piper
Danielle is an interdisciplinary artist and a member of Cold Lake First Nations (nehiyaw Metis, denesuline). She holds a Bachelors of fine Art with Distinction (in Drawing) from the Alberta University of the Arts.
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Danielle has exhibited and attended artist residencies across Alberta, including at the Banff Centre for Creativity and Arts and the Calgary Public Library. In 2022, Danielle began leading art workshops for groups of all ages and found a passion for teaching and engaging with youth.
She has partnered with an array of local organisations and schools for these workshops, including the Genesis Centre, the Women’s Centre of Calgary, and the Wood Buffalo Arts Council. Since 2023, she has also been a school programs facilitator at the Lougheed House Museum in Calgary, leading field trips with historical and artistic learning activities for grades 1-6.
Lesia T Bear
When Sandra, owner of Sparrow Artspace asked me to be on the board of Sparrow Arts Society, I was honoured to say yes. Sandra’s art space is a glorious establishment that acknowledges every artist and culture as I
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experienced through my residency in February 2023.
If I can assist, I know I have the experience especially in the arts, film industry and indigenous consulting towards bringing awareness of understandings of my culture and traditions. I believe in the arts and the artists who help bring light to everyone. Sparrow Artspace brings peace and serenity which aids with healing, mental health emotionally, mentally physically and spirtually. Sparrow Artspace is a healing place and representation for many artist like me. I sincerely thank Sandra for all her sincere efforts and love to bring out artists glory moments and everyone she meets. I am looking forward to our future endeavours together.
Lesia T. Bear is a half Cree/European woman who started her Modeling at 16. Today, Lesia establishes herself in the model, film and writing industry for 41 years. Lesia has grown into a Multi-Artist as an Actor, Stunt, Professional Makeup/SFX/Hair/Artist, Screenwriter, Indigenous consultant, and now a Producer and Director of “Jimmy The Bear”.
Lesia’s work in the film industry has been attributed in the Diversity Magazine in 2017 plus the opening Speaker at the Natural Talent Alliance in April 2018. Lesia has been featured on 2 covers “I’m Here With” Annual Magazine July 2018-2019, the On-Line Glitz Magazine 2018 & in articles of I’m Here With 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 Magazine. Currently, Lesia is working on her children book and screenplays, but has been on hold while in post-production with JIMMY THE BEAR Documentary Lesia directed and produced about her legendary father in Snooker. Lesia was a guest star on APTN First Talk and recently in June 2023 on YES TV, Legacy Makers.
Kim Webb
My name is Kim Webb and I am honoured to be a part of the Sparrow Arts Society. The Sparrow residencies that I have had the pleasure of participating in have helped my creative career in so many ways.
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My time at Sparrow was so educational and inspiring. During the show, I connected with the community through workshops and was introduced to many fellow artists and creative healers. I saw first-hand how the space that Sandra has created brings the community together through art and creativity.
Without the opportunities Sparrow provide me with, I would not be where I am today running my own art and wellness centre. I believe wholeheartedly in the Sparrow Arts Society vision and dedicated to helping the residency program and community Artspace continue for other artists, creatives and community members. These residencies are so important for local artists to be able to have the time and space to explore ideas, share their work and connect with the Calgary community.
Kim Webb is a designer, expressive art facilitator and currently the Creative Wellness Director of her own art and wellness centre called Canopy Studios. She believes - similar to yoga and meditation - that creativity can be used as a powerful tool to improve overall well-being. She is passionate about bringing awareness of the healing power of the arts. Kim has a background in Visual Communications from ACAD, a Master of Arts from Academy of Art University, and has completed her Level 1 Training from the Prairie Institute of Expressive Arts Therapy.
Kim Webb has completed two art residencies at Sparrow ArtSpace in May 2022 and 2023. She is very grateful for the opportunity which allowed her to curate a local art show called ‘See me. Hear me.' with the themes of Empathy and Creative Wellness. Her experiences and the networking opportunities her Sparrow residencies provided have helped her follow her passions and launch her own art and wellness space.
Yiting Hui
My name is Yiting Hui, and I am honoured to be a part of the Sparrow Arts Society. Sparrow Artspace values creativity, collaboration, and community. I completed my art residency at Sparrow Artspace in April 2023.
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During my residency, I witnessed and was greatly inspired by how the arts and creativity bring the community together and have a positive impact on our lives. The creative experiences from my residency and the space that Sparrow provided have helped me grow as an artist, and they also gave me the courage to explore new artistic paths moving forward. I truly believe in and support the Sparrow Arts Society’s vision of providing support, opportunities, and space for local artists to grow, share, and inspire one another.
Yiting is a nature-inspired artist and storyteller passionate about uncovering the enchanting magic found in everyday beauty.
She earned her Master’s degree in Architecture from McGill University and has since embarked on a dual path as both an Architectural Designer and a dedicated artist. By combining her design sensitivity with her passion for art and illustration, she has earned recognition for her art and mural commissions, as well as her participation in public art projects across Alberta.
Yiting’s art exudes whimsical charm and a sense of illusion. The quiet competence and tranquil power of nature are her greatest inspirations, She is interested in exploring the power of visual storytelling and seeks to craft works that resonate deeply with viewers, much like the silent language of the natural world. While her most used mediums are watercolour and acrylic, Yiting is currently expanding her artistic repertoire into ceramics, further enriching her ability to express her artistic vision.
Jamie Mason
Jamie Mason is an alumnus of the University of Regina with B.Ed and a B.A. in English and is the co-founding partner of visual artist team Rawry & Pohly (est. 2015).
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Rawry & Pohly’s approach to visual art is deeply rooted in pop art with dynamic movement of thick black lines, striking geometric shapes, and characterized by minimal and iconic line weight with bold, vibrant colours. Over the years, their practice expanded from canvas paintings and prints to murals, sculptures, street furniture, and more. Each project awarded was an opportunity to engage with and spark joy in the community they reside.
Rawry & Pohly’s motto, “celebrate your inner child”, is an invitation for viewers to tap into their sense of wonder and playfulness.
Alongside her visual artworks, Jamie is a literary artist with a passion for fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, and poetry.
Rawry & Pohly have successfully been awarded grants for their projects: Lost & Found (2021), Chinese New Year Dragon (2022), Along The Bow (2022), Lucky Smalls (2023), The Magpies at the City Gate (2024).
Commissioned for installations: Night Lights: Harvest of Lights (2021), Bench Things (2021), If You Can’t Fly, Dance! (2021), Night Lights: Urban Animals (2022), Night Lights: Gummy Bear Picnic (2022), Discontinued Childhood (2022), Night Lights: Grey Cup Regina (2022), Night Lights: Fan Zone (2022), One Pigeon, Two Pigeons Three Pigeons, MOAR (2023), The Museum Collection (2024), The Bus to Chinatown (2024), The Magpies at the City Gate (2024).
In 2021 hey had their first solo gallery exhibition at VCAD gallery entitled, The Elements of Character. In 2022, they completed a residency at Sparrow Artspace, Birb.