MEET THE ORGANIZING TEAM
WE ARE RUNNING THE TOUR WITH THE SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM OF MEMBERS YOU SEE LISTED BELOW.
Catherine Orfald
Paintings
Catherine has been painting most of her life. Catherine’s artwork has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in Canada and Mexico and her commissioned work is in many private collections. She focuses on painting from the natural world that inspires her including people, pets, landscapes, and other subjects.
(Portrait by Scott Haig)
The Natural Tannery
Custom Tanning and Workshops
Danielle is taking a sabbatical for 2026.
Bastou Bacharach
Islamic Geometry, watercolour, marquetry
Bastou was introduced to Islam in his teens and felt a strong connection to its teachings, culture, and arts. During that same period, as a graffiti artist, he enjoyed working with many colors on large surfaces. In 1995, he created a nonprofit with the purpose of countering racism through arts and culture. The organization hosted numerous art and food events until he moved out of France in 1998. He began playing with a compass and drawing mandalas in 2007. In 2015, he started painting and studying Islamic geometry, and the practice quickly became a passion. His work with Islamic geometry in rural Eastern Ontario brings him back to his earlier intention to foster inspiration, community, and cultural understanding. Most recently, he has been experimenting with adding a spiritual and social‑justice message to his pieces by incorporating text into his paintings
Willa Murray design
Leatherwork
Willa is taking a sabbatical for 2026.
The cordwood studio
(Closed for 2026)
ZOË LIANga
Zoë is taking a sabbatical for 2026.
Wouter van der Molen
Jeweler
Wouter van der Molen finds his inspiration in his direct surroundings. His workshop shelf is overflowing with rough sketches, a gemstone collection, early models, technical drawings and wishes from loved ones. Therein lies the collection he is continually creating.
Wouter is a Certified Goldsmith, Watchmaker, Gemmologist and Diamond Grader since 1994, and a member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
Bridget O’Flaherty
Thread Painter | Textile Artist | Sustainability Advocate
Bridget O’Flaherty is an internationally recognized thread painter and textile artist with over 30 years of experience, known for her intricate free-motion embroidery that brings nature to life in thread. A passionate advocate for sustainable textiles, she inspires mindful creativity through speaking, teaching, and collaborating with brands like Janome. Her work has been featured in exhibitions, galleries, and publications, empowering makers to explore eco-conscious quilting and thread painting techniques.
Mallory McDougall
Pencil & Graphite Artis
Mallory specializes in pencil and graphite work, capturing the essence of animals, botanical life, and everyday places with precision and warmth. Her work is held in private collections across Canada and internationally. At the heart of her practice is a deep belief in connection — many of her pieces are commissioned, born from conversations with clients about the subjects closest to them. These relationships often span years, and for Mallory, that ongoing bond is as much a part of the work as the drawing itself.