Aldo Parrotta is an artist, educator, and strategic creative leader dedicated to establishing the Art Gallery of Welland as a professional centre for artistic, cultural, and economic development. With a background in traditional fine arts—painting, life drawing, and visual arts—combined with expertise in photography, videography, and digital storytelling, Aldo bridges classical and contemporary mediums.

As the project lead behind the successful Art on Welland Bell Boxes public art initiative, he has demonstrated how creative projects can activate public space and drive local pride. Passionate about community building, Aldo brings a business-minded, collaborative approach to engaging stakeholders, fostering partnerships, and supporting economic revitalization through the arts.

His mission is to create a sustainable, inclusive, and visionary space where creativity fuels both cultural enrichment and economic opportunity in Welland and beyond.

Brianna DePaulo is an artist and active community member passionate about fostering creativity and accessibility in the arts.  With a background as an early childhood visual arts teacher, she has expertise in children’s art programming and currently works as a Children’s Program Facilitator.

As a board member for the Art Gallery of Welland, Brianna is leading arts programming initiatives and is committed to the vision for an accessible, dedicated art space for the community. Drawing on her educational background with a BA in Political Science, Brianna approaches programming through an intersectional lens to ensure it is purposeful, meaningful and inclusive.

Her art can be found on bell boxes at 510 St George Street, and 310 Aqueduct Street in Welland, Ontario.

With a lifelong passion for the arts, Debi Katsmar brings both creativity and strategic insight to her role as Marketing Director on the Board of the Art Gallery of Welland. A marketing strategist by profession and an artist at heart, she explores her own creativity through leather tooling and fibre arts, while proudly supporting and promoting the local arts community.

Debi has also demonstrated a life-long dedication to community, having served in various roles on numerous committees and boards throughout her career.

Evan Bernier is a dedicated Accounting and Finance Specialist with a strong passion for the arts and creative expression. As a Director on the Board of the Art Gallery of Welland, Evan brings a wealth of financial expertise to the organization, ensuring its sustainability and growth. With years of experience in accounting and financial strategy, he plays a key role in managing the gallery’s financial health, overseeing budgeting, funding, and strategic financial planning. 

Evan’s proficiency in financial oversight ensures that the gallery operates efficiently, adhering to best practices in budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with charitable regulations. His meticulous approach to accounting and finance helps the gallery maximize resources, secure sustainable funding, and maintain transparency, all of which are essential for its long-term success and ability to support the local art community.

Sylvia Parrotta brings a wealth of experience and passion to the Art Gallery of Welland. With a professional background in nursing spanning many years, Sylvia has always been deeply committed to community care and engagement. Over time, her love for creativity led her to begin exploring her own artistic journey, working with a variety of mediums and developing a personal connection to the arts.

As a strong advocate for making art accessible to all, Sylvia is passionate about encouraging artistic expression across different genres and forms within the community. She believes that art has the power to inspire, heal, and bring people together. Sylvia is an avid supporter of Ontario’s vibrant arts scene and enjoys visiting galleries across the province, drawing inspiration from the diverse work of artists both established and emerging.

In her role at the Art Gallery of Welland, Sylvia’s dedication to organization, outreach, and fostering a welcoming environment helps ensure that the gallery remains a vibrant, inclusive space where creativity can thrive.

With a strong foundation in both business and law, George Mora brings a unique blend of expertise to the board of Art Gallery of Welland. Holding a Diploma in Paralegal Education from Humber College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Brock University, George has built a dynamic career spanning both the private and non-profit sectors.

A strategic thinker with a passion for innovation, George is also highly skilled in technology. He has completed professional certification courses in HTML, CSS, JSON, and PHP through the University of Michigan, and is known for bringing modern digital solutions to traditional spaces.

Beyond the resume, George is driven by a love of community, creativity, and collaboration with a passion for photography. His diverse skill set and forward-thinking mindset make him a valued asset to the gallery’s mission of supporting the arts and enriching the cultural fabric of Welland.

James Takeo is a Welland-based tattoo artist and visual artist with a passion for community-driven arts and culture initiatives. As the owner of Takeo Tattoo Studios, he is dedicated to fostering creativity and supported and participated in  public art projects, exhibitions, and advocacy.

James serves on the boards of the Welland Historical Museum and the Welland Downtown BIA and is the chair of the City of Welland’s Art and Culture Advisory Committee. He has been instrumental in organizing cultural events like the Welland Zombie Walk and downtown revitalization efforts, working to expand artistic opportunities and ensure fair valuation for artists in the community.

Chris Lagesten is a Welland-based artist with over 30 years of experience, spanning graffiti, street art, and various other genres. A two-time recipient of the Welland Arts & Culture Award for Visual Arts—once solo and once with The Black Lantern Experience (BLX), the collective he co-founded—Chris has left a significant mark on the local and global art scenes.

He chaired Artfest Welland for six years and later organized numerous shows, workshops, and events with BLX. His public art, including pieces from the Canoe Art Project and Welland Bell Box Murals, adorns the city.

A founding member of Welland Creatives and Chair of the Welland Civic Center Art On The Wall, Chris is also an active, award-winning photographer. Chris is dedicated to creating opportunities for artists and engagement with the arts in Welland.

David brings over 35 years of experience as a professional photographer and dedicated arts advocate. As a founding member of the Black Lantern Experience, Welland’s pioneering counter-culture art collective, David has played a key role in shaping the city’s creative identity and promoting artistic acceptance in the community.

His passion for visual storytelling has extended beyond his successful photography studio into the broader community through workshops, mentorship, and public art initiatives. David continues to inspire others by sharing his knowledge through photography and art learning sessions, helping to foster creativity and engagement across all age groups. His longstanding commitment to the arts makes him an invaluable part of the Art Gallery of Welland’s mission.