WHO WE ARE

Making Art Making Change is a non-profit charity committed to giving voice to communities through the use of visual arts, and story telling.

OUR MISSION

To strengthen social connections through art-making projects that foster support, belonging, and engagement, improving personal well-being and building stronger, more inclusive communities.

OUR VISION

MAMC envisions a society where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging, nurtured by relationships that transcend cultural, social, and economic barriers.

OUR PROCESS

Build Relationships

Intentionally build relationships with different community organizations to reach participants in their known environment.

Design & Implement

Design and implement art-based projects that highlight participants’ stories.

Provide a Forum

Provide a forum for participants' self expression.

Facilitate

Facilitate the creative process for participants to delve into and explore the emergent conversations in safe and stimulating settings.

Exhibit

Seek partnerships with cultural and civic organizations to exhibit the resulting work where the wider public becomes part of the dialogue.

Reflect & Honour

Honour the fabric of memory, the thread of imagination and the texture of speculation as participants weave their voices together.
 

DEDICATED EDUCATORS

Elena Soní

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Elena Soní was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Elena came to Canada in 1980 to pursue a university education and as her country descended into chaos built a new life in Toronto. As a board member of Children's Own Museum (COM) she co-designed its programming. 

Vanessa Barnett

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Vanessa Barnett is an artist educator providing dynamic leadership and teaching in the Arts in teacher education, artist residencies in schools and cultural organizations. Vanessa immigrated from South Africa at the height of the Apartheid years and began teaching at the ROM and in Toronto schools.

OUR BOARD

Marjory McDonald

BOARD CHAIR

Marjory McDonald’s background in family business governance, as well as her work in philanthropy has guided her while serving as MAMC's board chair.  Marjory was the chair of the family council for Black & McDonald Limited for six years, and has completed the Families in Business Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. She has held various leadership positions in philanthropic and volunteer contexts.

Vanessa Eckstein

BOARD MEMBER

Founder and Creative Director of Blok Design. Known for her passion for taking on initiatives that blend cultural awareness, humanity, and a love of art to advance society and business alike, Vanessa’s experiences living and working in Buenos Aires, LA, New York, Mexico City, and Toronto have given Blok a unique international perspective that has been recognized and awarded around the world.

Gill Evans

BOARD MEMBER

Gillian Evans is a Toronto-based philanthropist and a founding supporter of Jack.org. Gillian is highly experienced in philanthropy, non-profit and charitable organizations helping them develop professional strategy, governance, human capital and operational capacities with a bias to building and executing fundraising opportunities.

Gillian Graham

BOARD MEMBER

Gillian Graham is a retired arts writer and editor who has worked for The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, Canadian Art and other Canadian publications. She has a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University and a Masters in Art History from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Pamela Meredith

BOARD MEMBER

With 25 years of experience in the contemporary art world, Pamela Meredith is known for collection-building, curating, and education. A personalized approach and extensive knowledge of the international art world allows Pamela to assist clients in building a collection or finding the perfect artwork to live with.

Jerry Chek Hung Koh

BOARD MEMBER

Jerry is a leader in systems innovation and systemic design, with over 20 years of cross-sector experience spanning Canada, the US, and Asia. He excels in building strategic partnerships and fostering sustainable community growth. 

Dr. Ivan Silver

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Ivan Silver enjoyed a career as a geriatric psychiatrist at CAMH and Sunnybrook, a leader at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and is continuing his interests in professional development, coaching and the Arts. He has a background in music and in Hebrew liturgical composition. Ivan is passionate about the importance of Arts experiences in everyone’s lives and of making these available to everyone. “The Arts are a beacon of hope, growth and light”.

Robin has been an arts educator, spearheading the intensive Erin Gilmour arts program at the Bishop Stachan School. 
Prior to BSS, Robin was a marketing leader and executive in the film industry for over 15 years, at: the Canadian Film Centre, Cineplex Corp, Paramount Pictures and Disney Corp. for Canada.  
In the 2000’s Robin raised over $16 million for the University of Toronto’s Dr Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study for both a capital campaign as well as for child development research and teaching program funds. 
Robin is currently a successful Realtor with Harvey Kalles Real Estate, and a part-time photographer and painter. 

MAMC TEAM

Gillian Hards

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Gillian Hards is the fractional Executive Director of Making Art Making Change (MAMC), where she leads efforts to build sustainability, strengthen partnerships, and expand the organization's impact. With a career rooted in arts, culture, and health promotion, Gillian specializes in nonprofit management and fundraising. She is also the co-founder of Purposeful, an agency dedicated to supporting nonprofits with project-based and fractional services, helping organizations transform strategy into action. Gillian brings a deep commitment to fostering social connection and driving meaningful community change through her work at MAMC.

Natalie Russell

PHILANTHROPY & FUNDRAISING

Natalie Russell supports Making Art Making Change (MAMC) in its fundraising and philanthropy efforts, bringing more than a decade of expertise in peer-to-peer events, direct response campaigns, partnerships, and philanthropy. As the co-founder of Purposeful, she focuses on helping nonprofits achieve impact through tailored, data-driven fundraising strategies.

Denise Gordon

MAMC ARTIST

Denise was educated in Canada and Italy with specialist certifications in Art, English,
and ESL. Denise has extensive experience teaching newcomers and Canadians of all
ages. Denise has worked with faculties at Queen’s, York and at OISE; she has written curricula for the Ontario Ministry of Education and for the TDSB. 
As an artist, Denise enjoys working in multi-media formats including collage, drawing,
needle work, painting, printmaking, and the written word.

EXPLORE OUR PROJECTS

Making Art Making Change is a non-profit charity committed to giving voice to individuals in a group setting within communities through the use of visual arts.

Our experienced artist educators are committed to creating a safe space and engaging projects where participants can explore artistic expression while developing self-awareness, collaboration skills and original creative thinking. Our focus is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, thereby strengthening community bonds and reducing isolation.

Charitable Number 770955870 RR0001

Instagram @mamccanada

Twitter @MAMCCanada

Facebook @MAMCCanada

Email Us
info@makingartmakingchange.com

Mailing Address
505 - 150 Balmoral Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4V 1J4

© Making Art Making Change 2020