Meet the Team - Staff and Board of Directors

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Dionne Powlenzuk
​Executive Director

Dionne is an artist and educator.  She holds a BA(Hons) in Fine Art from the University of Guelph and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.  Dionne spent many years traveling and gathering diverse experiences in Korea, Vietnam, Japan, China, New Zealand and Morocco.  She has been involved with the VAC since 2011, and when she is not engaging with the creative community Dionne is out on her bike, unwinding with a yoga class or enjoying a good meal with family and friends.
Email: director@vac.ca
​Phone: (905)-623-5831 ext. 4

Matthew Kyba
Curator

Matthew Kyba is an independent curator and current Curator of Exhibitions at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington. Recent and upcoming programming include shows at Museum London, Aceart (Winnipeg, MN), The New Gallery (Calgary, Alberta), Union Station (Toronto, ON), and Forman Art Gallery (Sherbrooke, QC). His writing has appeared in the Senses and Society Journal, Canadian Art, Magenta Magazine, as well commissioned essays for YYZ Artist-Run Centre, Georgia Sherman Projects, and Forest City Gallery. He co-runs Bunker 2 in Toronto ON. He currently lives with his little dog Rico in London, ON.
Email: curator@vac.ca      
​Phone: (905)-623-5831 ext. 3

Áine Belton
​Marketing Coordinator

Áine is visual artist, graphic designer and zine enthusiast. Áine holds two degrees in Fine Art - an MFA from UCA Canterbury (UK) and a BFA from IADT, Dun Laoghaire (IRE). She has a diverse background with roles including graphic designer, arts educator and project leader for arts organizations in the UK, Ireland and Toronto. In her spare time, Áine creates mixed-media zines and maintains her beloved vintage, road bicycle.
Email: communications@vac.ca      
​Phone: (905)-623-5831 ext. 1

Desarée Rosskopf
​Education Coordinator

Desarée is a historian who uses material culture to study how national narratives change, flow, and ebb over time. She has an MA in History from Western University and the world's cutest puppy (if she does say so herself). Desarée first started working at the VAC in 2019 as an Education Intern through Young Canada Works. She feels in love with the VAC's storytelling approach to art and exhibitions, as well as its dedication to providing an enriching learning environment for all members of the community. ⁠
Email: education@vac.ca
​Phone: (905)-623-5831 ext. 5

​Elizabeth Jamischak
Development Coordinator

Elizabeth is a results driven professional who is an expert at building relationships, gaining credibility and developing strong ties with internal and external stakeholders.  She has extensive experience in leadership, business development, marketing and communications and is passionate about driving continuous improvement within her environment. She is a classically trained musician, a Director on several Boards within the community and enjoys designing and building furniture with her husband.
Email: development@vac.ca 
​Phone: (905)-623-5831 ext. 2

Board of Directors

Executive Board
Mary Anne Slemon - President
Anna McQuaid - Vice President
 - Treasurer
Amy Shackleton - Secretary

Board Members
Stefanie Thompson
​Jess MacGregor
Joel Yelle
KJ Jensen

​Council Representative
Councillor Corinna Traill

Board of Directors open call

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC), is seeking applications for​ ​volunteers to join our Board of Directors.​ ​Dedicated and enthusiastic​ ​individuals are encouraged to apply for a position with us. Being a member of the board is challenging; it requires commitment, leadership,​ ​decision-making, and integrity. Board meetings are held bi-monthly​ ​(typically on Wednesday evenings), members are expected to volunteer​ ​additional time sitting on committees occurring on the opposite months,​ ​attending VAC events, and support fundraising activities.

The VAC is a not-for-profit organization. We are recognized as a​ ​professional gallery of contemporary art by the Ontario Arts Council, the​ ​Ontario Association of Art Galleries, artists and arts organizations in Ontario and beyond. The VAC utilizes art to create an inclusive space​ ​where ideas are exchanged, questions are asked, and connections are​ ​made.
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Ideal candidates will be trained professionals in one or more of the​ ​following fields:

• finance
• fundraising
• legal
• insurance
• not-for-profit sector

Ideally, candidates will have previous board experience, possess a passion​ ​for the arts and culture sector and an interest in the VAC. Professional​ ​training in the arts is not required. Candidates must also be community-minded and possess good communication and interpersonal​ ​skills.​ ​Interested individuals are asked to email board@vac.ca outlining the skills​ ​and expertise they possess that would make them a valuable addition to​ ​our board. Successful candidates will be contacted.​ ​Please apply by Friday, June 5th, 2020. Potential candidates will be​ ​contacted for interviews in the last two weeks of June. 

In light of the​ ​Covid-19 pandemic, interviews will be held using a virtual​ ​teleconferencing platform.