Maggie Milne is a community-engaged artist with a background in printmaking. A past member of the Malaspina Printmakers Society, she holds a BFA and an MA in Visual art, culture and theory. Maggie taught studio art and theory at the post-secondary level and is doing post-graduate work at SFU. Maggie is co-founder of the Artist in Residence Studio program, where she continues to advocate to create space for artists to extend their art practice to children in public schools. Maggie's practice interweaves material, collaborative and embodied processes, creating multi-layered works, projections and installations that bring students into resonance and felt connection with themselves and their community, including the natural world.
"For me, it is a privilege to create and hold space, both literally and figuratively for diverse, talented, community engaged artists to work with students in schools, and to support them in realizing the potential of their creative imaginings of what is possible in these spaces, and to witness the incredible transformation of artists and school communities in the process."
contact: maggie@airsprogram.org
Sarah Nelson is a graphic designer and illustrator with over four years of experience in the field of communications. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Design (BDes) from the KPU Wilson School of Design in 2027. Her education in design and marketing has given her a unique appreciation for both creative and strategic thinking.
Sarah has a passion for nonprofit work and finds purpose in giving back to the community. With a background in drawing and painting, she believes that art is an important tool for self-expression, especially for youth.
“I am honoured to be a part of a program that helps children explore the arts and embrace their imagination. I believe it is an essential part of self-discovery. I hope to showcase and uplift the creativity and innovation of young artists.”
contact: communications@airsprogram.org
Yunuen Perez Vertti is a filmmaker and digital media artist from Mexico City with over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry. She has been involved in various roles and projects, producing films for various organizations, including public, private, and non-profit entities.
In addition to her work in filmmaking, Yunuen has also served as an artist in residence in schools for over 7 years. She is passionate about education through the arts and the importance of the arts as a fundamental tool for education. She believes teaching and introducing kids to all art disciplines as early as possible is essential to a healthy society.
“I shared AIRS' mission and values, and I enjoy supporting the program in every way I can, whether through a residency in a school, as a mentor to other artists, or through administrative tasks. I feel that every contribution makes a difference. As an AIRS artist, I have experienced firsthand the transformational power of a community-engaged art practice. I would love to see this transformation happening at every community level. I believe programs like this are essential for this realization.”
contact: yunuen@airsprogram.org