Our Team

Chris Lagesten is a Welland-based artist with about 30 years of experience in the art world under his belt. Originally a graffiti and street artist, Chris has made a name for himself both in the local art scene and internationally in various genres of art. Also known as Big Daddy Def to many in the scene, Chris has won multiple awards including the Welland Arts & Culture Award for Visual Arts twice, once solo and once as part of The Black Lantern Experience, the art collective he helped found. A quick Google search will bring up tons of articles on the projects Chris has been involved with over the years. Locally, Chris made a splash when he was Chair for Artfest Welland, an annual arts and culture festival that ran for 6 yrs, before moving on to make waves with the creation of the BLX art collective. During the BLX years, Chris organized multiple art shows, workshops, events, and managed a retail gallery/studio. Chris’s public art pieces can be seen throughout Welland as part of the Canoe Art Project, The Welland Bell Box Murals Project, at the Downtown Community Garden, and the infamous Welland Mural at the corner of East Main & Hellems. Recently Chris has started diving into the world of photography with a focus on interesting portraits aimed at showing the subject’s true self. Currently, Chris has teamed up with local creatives for the Welland Creatives Network. Chris can be found on almost all major social media where he is always open to chatting about art and sharing his stories.

Holly is an artist, producer, artistic director for Femmes du Feu Creations, osteopath (DOMP), entrepreneur and mother of two. Originally from Winnipeg, Holly moved to Toronto in 1995 to study at Toronto Dance Theater. Holly now works primarily in the circus sector and has trained in circus across Canada and the USA. Holly has taught, performed and toured with many dance and circus companies across Canada and the USA, including LookUp Theatre, Circus Orange, and many more. .

Holly is an active advocate for the circus sector and serves on the En Piste pan-Canadian circus development committee, the Welland Downtown BIA, the Welland Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, and initiated the new Welland Creatives Network. It has been so exciting to connect with the local arts community.

Holly relocated to Welland after 25 years in Toronto, with her family in July, 2019 just before the pandemic, to open a new circus and multi-arts center called The Bank Art House at the old downtown CIBC building.

Holly has been loving Welland. Swimming and paddle boarding on the canal is one of her favorite things to do in town!

–Tattoo artist and business owner of a relaxed and personal privacy-oriented studio in Downtown Welland
— Conceptualized, led, and participated in voluntary visual arts and community placemaking projects
–Advocate for local arts and culture and its socio-economic benefits
–Organized local charitable community event (Welland Zombie Walk) for over 10 years
–Currently serving on Arts & Culture, Active Transportation, and Green Advisory Committees for Welland, also serve on Board of Directors for WDBIA

Bart Gazzola is an arts writer, curator and photographer based in Niagara. He’s published with New Art Examiner, Canadian Art, BlackFlash Magazine (where he was editorial chair for three years), Magenta Magazine and Galleries West, and was the art critic at Planet S in Saskatoon for nearly decade. His most recent curatorial project was Welland: Times Present Times Past (2020) at AIH Studios in Welland. He was assistant editor at The Sound: Niagara’s Arts and Culture Magazine, where his ongoing series on Brock University and Rodman Hall Art Centre earned him two St. Catharines Arts Award nominations (2020 and 2021). Currently, he’s Assistant Editor at curated, and is curating an online exhibition for Rodman Hall Inc. of works from their collection for late 2021. Since 2017, he’s been the facilitator / coordinator of the 5 x 2 Visual Conversations, an open group for artists to share work that happens both in person and online on a monthly basis.

As a Communications Specialist at Niagara Catholic District School Board, I have over 10 years of experience in designing, creating, and producing engaging digital and print media that support the organization’s communications strategy and brand. I have a diploma in Creative Digital Design, a postgraduate certificate in Interactive Multimedia, and a certificate in Project Management from reputable institutions.

I am passionate about placing human connection in visual communication, and I use my advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite, social media platforms, and video animation to deliver innovative and effective solutions for various business partners and stakeholders. I also have strong writing, media relations, research, and analytical skills that enable me to develop and implement external communication strategies, measure and report on engagement, and review and improve communication channels and processes. Additionally, I am a part-time Professor at Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology, where I share my knowledge and expertise with students in the field of digital graphic design.

Aldo is also the organizer of the Art On Welland Bell Boxes Mural Project.

We are always looking for new members! Are you passionate about arts? Experienced in the arts sector? Want to help us create opportunities and advocate for local art and artists? Let us know!