PRESIDENT
Denise Smith
I consider it a great honour to hold the position of President within the Collective, where I have the privilege to collaborate alongside a remarkable Board and Executive Director.
From a corporate standpoint, my extensive experience as a business owner and entrepreneur spans over three decades, providing me with a wealth of knowledge and insights. Furthermore, my past involvement as a Board Member in various organizations, notably ISACA, an international professional association focused on governance, training, and certifications, has allowed me to play a significant role in shaping and advocating for best practices in governance, audit, risk management, privacy, and accountability within the realm of information management and technology. This expertise can be effectively utilized by Route 22.
Beyond my professional endeavours, I harbour a profound passion for art and have honed my skills as a self-taught artist. I express my creativity through two primary
mediums: photography and painting. These artistic pursuits enable me to explore the realms of imagination and convey my thoughts in visually captivating way
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lara Kruger
It is a pleasure and an honour to serve Route 22 and the incredible Cochrane and area arts community in my role as Executive Director. As past president and co-founder of Route 22 Artist Collective Ltd, the long term success of this organization is a priority and passion both professionally and personally.
I was born and raised in Cochrane and have strong roots in this community. My fine arts education was taken in Calgary (ACAD) and New Brunswick (Mount Allison University) before moving back to the Bow Valley and starting my family in Banff. I worked several years for, and then managed private galleries in Banff and Canmore before relocating back to the rural Cochrane area and working further in management in the non-profit sector. I am a practicing professional artist (sculptor and painter) and have long seen a gap in Cochrane for a permanent visual arts presence and professional arts opportunities. Route 22 was founded to address this need. It has evolved from dream to reality over the past three years thanks to all of the dedicated member artists and the support of our wider community. The future looks very bright for Route 22 and the arts in Cochrane and it is a privilege to be helping to shape and grow a permanent place for arts and culture in our community.
Board Member – Vice President
Jonanthan Tonietto
My name is Toni (Jonathon Tonietto) and I am a Visionary Art Engineer. It all started when I graduated from Materials Science and Engineering and Society. During my Engineering Society Capstone Inquiry in 2016: Why has Graffiti in Hamilton Changed my Life? This inquiry started as “Why there is negative stigma around graffiti?” and expanded to one of experiential learning.
Through studying graffiti, I ended up starting to understand the nuances of painting. I began to purchase art supplies and to this day I have continued my lifelong learning of art. I have taken it upon myself to study new techniques as well as attend workshops, I have studied with internationally renown artists including Amanda Sage and Chris Dyer
As Bob Ross once said, “we don’t make mistakes, we have happy accidents”.
Board Member – Treasurer
Tammy Cruickshank
I am a professional geologist by passion, training and practice. I came to Alberta in 1976 and Cochrane in 1999, where geology meets geography in the stunning foothills vistas! I have some roots here – my great grandfather emigrated from Scotland to manage cattle on what is now Anchor C Ranch up Grand Valley Rd, & my grandfather was born there in 1891!
My other passions are horses & art. My Dad – a naval officer – traveled the world & brought home African fabrics, masks, figurines, Swedish crystal, Norwegian sweaters .…he had an eye for cultural and artistic emblems. My mother loved fine antique furniture, architecture & fashion. It all rubbed off on me & I have acquired many art forms on my own world travels.
My various Board positions over the last 30 years [Director, Secretary, Advisor] have helped me learn best practices in governance, public education, risk management, record keeping & filings with government agencies. I am an Equine Canada Coach & for 10 years ran my USA cross border horse transport business where I required many unique skills to navigate complex regulations & ‘make it happen” with live animals, border agents, customs brokers, veterinarians & of course my clients.
I know I can use my expertise & dedication to life-long learning to contribute to the Route 22 Gallery. I value working as a Team; together we produce extraordinary synergies & outcomes to honour the history, culture and community of this amazing Cochrane area.
Program, Learning & Development Manager
Pamela O’Brien
Pam is a psychology major, published poet, musician, hobby photographer, pasta enthusiast, experienced educator and lifelong advocate for the arts. Born and raised in rural Southern Alberta where she currently resides with her two daughters. Pam is particularly passionate about empowering youth and cultivating community – the more creatively, the better!
Gallery Manager (Exhibitions, Marketing & Events)
Lindsay Corbet
Born and raised in Okotoks AB, Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in New Media, from the University of Lethbridge and interned at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) in 2011. She began her career in the not-for-profit arts community by becoming an Art Instructor at the Leighton Education Centre in 2009. Lindsay then became the Manager of Gallery Sales, Programming, Events & Volunteers at the Leighton Art Centre (LAC) in 2011.
She went on to be the Manager of Exhibitions, Events and Volunteers for the LAC. During her tenure, Lindsay curated numerous exhibitions encompassing a diverse range of disciplines and mediums, including outdoor installations. Additionally, she successfully orchestrated annual outdoor art festivals and fundraising gala dinners. These events showcased the remarkable talent of local artists and relied on the hard work of dedicated volunteers that Lindsay had the privilege of managing and working along side during her twelve years at the LAC.
Lindsay also sought partnerships with local arts organizations, leading to large-scale outdoor musical performances, and collaborations such as Come Paint Alberta, partnering with Route 22 Artists Collective and esteemed Alberta establishments: the Whyte Museum; Rosebud Arts
Collective; and Coutts Centre.
Moreover, Lindsay’s dedication to cultivating art connections extended to joining the Calgary Stampede Art Gallery committee in 2015, assuming the role of Co-Chair from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, Lindsay joined the Okotoks Arts Council in 2019, serving as a Secretary board member, allocating grant funding to local arts organizations and artist initiatives.
Board Member – Fundraising Director
Kristen Thorogood
Kristen, a local classical ballet teacher with over a decade of additional study in classical voice, believes in the transformative power of art as a way of life and a means to foster community and relationships. Her appreciation for music and movement enables her to delve into their intricate interplay and play in the liminal space between technique and artistry.
Growing up on a ranch in southeastern Alberta, Kristen has always been captivated by the vast landscapes and the beauty of nature. Drawing inspiration from this connection, she infuses her choreography, photography and writing with elements of the natural world.
Kristen is a lifelong learner. She studies archaeology at the University of Calgary, has a diploma in marketing from Medicine Hat College, and is a certified yoga teacher.
Above all else, Kristen cherishes her role as a mom to her three children. She is excited toleverage the wealth of skills she has developed as a mother to support the growth and lery in the role of Fundraiser.
Board Member – Secretary
Vivian Lee-Oxenham
Vivian taught for 35 years in the Community College system teaching Business Administration and Office Administration courses. At the same time, her involvement outside of the classroom
included serving on the Board of Directors for a number of organizations. She has also served as the Manager of a Performing Arts venue. This experience has made her a prime candidate to take on the role of Secretary on the Route 22 Board of Directors.
Vivian’s involvement in the Arts was not initially as a visual artist, but in the performing arts scene where she has had leading roles in a dozen or so plays and has directed several productions including musicals for live theatre. Her sojourn into the visual arts began a few years ago when she took to painting in watercolour, and she continues to this day but now works in oils.
Vivian joined Route 22 in 2023 as a Support Member. The dynamic, professional, and friendly vibe that she experiences each time she is in the Gallery 22 space is something she wishes to be part of for a long time.
Admin and Membership Manager
Kelly Zeeb
Kelly has enjoyed an interesting and successful career journey that began at Trent University in Peterborough, where she studied Environmental Geography and Geology,to becoming a CAPPA Production Accountant, to then becoming a Certified Music Teacher and business owner. She is currently finishing up her Fine Arts studies at Emily Carr University which will complement her role as Admin and Membership Manager here at Route 22 Artist’s Collective. She is both a digital illustrator and visual artist who has been a member of Route 22 since late 2022. Kelly’s works have been featured in Canadian publications, and her art can be found in private collections in Canada, USA, Europe and Australia.
Kelly describes herself as a lifelong learner and is passionate about Accessibility in The Arts. Recently, she published a series of self-care comics, tarot cards and animations with a view to normalizing mental health challenges and to provide therapeutic support for rehabilitation from brain injuries. Her project has been featured at ECU in Vancouver, and she is hoping to make it available in Alberta soon.
Kelly is excited to be part of the team at Route 22!