The people behind the movement
Make your mark!
Calgary Art Community is dedicated to hosting fine art shows, promoting local artists, and bringing people together through the power of creativity. We believe that art has the ability to inspire, unite, and transform communities.
Our mission is to support and showcase the diverse talents of artists in Calgary and surrounding areas, creating opportunities for them to thrive and connect with art enthusiasts.
Our vision is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive art community that enriches the cultural landscape of our city.
Our team is made up of passionate individuals who are dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts in Calgary. From our event coordinators to our marketing specialists, each member brings a unique set of skills and a shared commitment to our mission.
Our team
FOUNDER OF CALGARY ART COMMUNITY
Tabitha Lester
The Founder of Calgary Art Community is an accomplished realism oil painter, renowned for their artistic talent and dedication to the arts. As an artist, they bring life to their canvases with intricate details and vibrant colours, capturing the essence of their subjects with precision.
In addition to their artistic pursuits, they excel as an event coordinator, seamlessly bringing together creative minds in the community. Their leadership and vision have been instrumental in establishing a vibrant and supportive artistic community in Calgary.
PHOTOGRAHPER
Nicholas Hallam
Nicholas Hallam is a talented photographer, and a passionate wildlife artist. Through his work, he captures the beauty of nature and inspires others to appreciate the world around them.
With a keen eye for detail and a deep connection to the natural world, Nicholas's art serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our environment for future generations.
MEMBER SERVICES VOLUNTEER
Denise Barting
Although she has been an artist all her life, Denise Bartling may be considered an emerging artist, only recently deciding to share her work with the public. She is a creative, home designer, scenic carpenter, sculptor, and painter currently enjoying the practice of watercolour. Denise splits her time between Calgary and the East Kootenays; and loves to create moody feels inspired by the forests, waters, skies, mountains and changing seasons.
Having held positions on Boards, Committees and Stratas, as well as experience managing member services, website development and writing for online publications, Denise is looking forward to contributing to the success and growth of the CAC community.
MARKETING DIRECTOR VOLUNTEER
Afton Brazzoni
Afton Brazzoni is an oil painter based in Cochrane, Alberta. Originally from the maritime province of Nova Scotia, she has a deep connection to water and rugged landscapes. Many of Afton’s landscape paintings are inspired by the Canadian Rockies where she lived for nearly 10 years with her husband, two dogs and two cats. An emerging artist, Afton continues to refine her style. She has had the pleasure of participating in numerous group art shows over the past several years, and as of March 2024, she is represented by the online Canadian art gallery Artterra.
A former news reporter and current owner of a content marketing company, Scribe National, Afton brings 15 years of communications and marketing experience to her role on the Calgary Art Community (CAC) board. Prior to starting Scribe National, Afton worked for 4 years on the marketing team at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and served as a former board member for the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation (through artsPlace, Canmore's community arts centre). She is passionate about the arts and well positioned to contribute to the CAC community as the board's Marketing Director.
GRAPHIC DESIGN VOLUNTEER
Barb Sotiropoulos
Barb Sotiropoulos is an award-winning artist, graphic designer, and creative educator based in Calgary, Alberta. She has a diverse portfolio spanning mediums like colored pencil, mixed-media, and oil/acrylic paintings inspired by a deep connection to wildlife and nature.
As a former columnist for COLORED PENCIL Magazine and a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA), Barb has contributed significantly to the international colored pencil community. She shares her expertise through guest workshops, a popular art podcast, and self-published resources, such as her recent book on income diversification for artists.
With over 15 years of experience in graphic design, Barb has collaborated with major international brands and is recognized for her work with STAEDTLER North America and Ferris Wheel Press.
Her dual expertise in art education and graphic design brings a valuable perspective as a Calgary Art Community board member.
