Making Art Work

Programs
Written By Morgan Wedderspoon

Free + open to all
Virtual (Zoom)
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30pm

Making Art Work is a professional development series co-presented by Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, and Union Gallery. Participants gain enhanced experiential learning opportunities, develop a toolkit of skills in preparing for a career in the arts and extend networks with Katarokwi-Kingston’s contemporary art galleries.

Finding Your Voice: Breaking into Art Writing with Jessica Endress

Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Virtual (Zoom)

In this workshop, Jessica Endress will lead folks through tips on crafting writing proposals, finding accessible art applications to build your portfolio, building relationships with institutions and artists, and understanding your own point of view when approaching your arts writing practice. Learn what writing style resonates with you and get started!

Photo of Jessica Endress courtesy of the artist.

MEET JESSICA

Jessica Endress is an art historian, art education programmer and general art enthusiast. She is currently the Director of Learning & Engagement at Two Rivers Gallery on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh. Jessica is also a Managing Editor and contributor at Nosy Mag, an Ottawa-Gatineau based arts zine and collective. New to Northern BC, she has held positions at Agnes Etherington Art Centre, the Carleton University Art Gallery, the Canada Council Art Bank, and the City of Ottawa. She completed her MA in Art & Architectural History at Carleton University in 2023, for which she wrote her Major Research Paper, “Athletic Aesthetics: Prudence Heward, Girl Under a Tree and Canadian Women’s Health Ideals in the 1930’s.” When she’s not checking out new exhibitions, you can catch her obsessing over her perfect calico cat, Stevie or enjoying BC’s beautiful nature.

Photography for Artists: Documenting Art and Headshots with Liz Cooper

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Virtual (Zoom)

Clear, compelling photos can make all the difference when it comes to sharing your work with the world. Whether you’re applying for grants, building a portfolio, or promoting your practice online, strong visual documentation is key.

Join photographer and communications expert Liz Cooper for this workshop, which will guide participants through the fundamentals of photographing artwork and offer tips for troubleshooting common challenges. The session will also include strategies for capturing a polished, professional headshot. Participants will leave with practical tools to elevate their visual presence and better represent their work.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Iva Speers Fund for Art Education.

Photo of Liz Cooper courtesy of the artists.

MEET LIZ

Liz Cooper is a photographer and communications professional based in Kingston, Ontario.

Liz specializes in photographing people, specifically headshots of artists and creative entrepreneurs. Liz works to make her sitters feel at ease in front of the camera and seeks to make every photoshoot enjoyable and accessible.

Liz has a BFA in Photography from Toronto Metropolitan University. You can find her work on her website (www.lizzography.com) and Instagram (@lizzouse).

Newsletters for Creatives with Lucy Lu

Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Virtual (Zoom)

Newsletters pose a customizable and personalized way to stay connected with your network outside of social media.

Learn how to create an engaging and consistent newsletter that is true to you and your practice. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or creative professional, newsletters can be a great way to connect with your network and community. Drawing from her own experience as a freelance photographer with a quarterly newsletter, Lucy Lu will share her tips on what to put into your newsletter, how to keep readers engaged, and the logistics of publishing and sending them out.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Iva Speers Fund for Art Education.

Photo of Lucy Lu courtesy of the artist.

MEET LUCY

Lucy Lu is a Boston-based photographer and artist with nearly a decade of experience in editorial and commercial photography. Born in China and raised in Toronto, her background has deeply influenced her interest in storytelling that explores themes of memory, place, and cultural identity. 

Her images have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Maclean’s Magazine, and The Globe and Mail, among many others. Known for her thoughtful and humanist approach, Lucy has worked with publications, non-profits, and institutions to create images that feel intimate, intentional, and true to life. 

In addition to client work, Lucy’s personal projects have been exhibited across Canada and featured by outlets such as the CBC and The Globe and Mail. She is a recipient of awards from American Photography, the Magenta Foundation, and Applied Arts Magazine.

Excel for Artists with Rysia And

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Virtual (Zoom)

This beginner’s workshop will demystify some of the language and functions of Excel (or Google Sheets) with a specific eye to features most useful to an arts practice. Most tutorials for Excel come from a business/math perspective, and artists struggle to align themselves with this mentality. Together, we’ll explore Excel's capabilities outside of the looming shadow of capitalism, dive into the artistic side of the program, and learn Excel tricks that are not only approachable but also open up the possibility for creativity within the medium of data and spreadsheets.

Photo of Rysia And courtesy of the artist.

MEET RYSIA

Rysia is a full-time arts administrator with a theatre and music background. With a BAH in English and Drama from Queen's University and post-grad certificate from Humber's Arts Administration and Cultural Management program, Rysia has made a career in ticketing and database management in classical music and the performing arts. Rysia stretches her artistic legs as a storyteller, collagist and community animator. She makes her home in Kingston with her beautiful wife and even more beautiful cat. 

Canva for Creatives with Kyara Andrews

Tuesday, February 3 2026, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Virtual (Zoom)

Learn how Canva can help you create clean, professional-looking graphics for your art practice—without the complexity of Photoshop or the need for a design degree. We'll explore time-saving tools, ready-made templates, and create a simple graphic together to show just how easy (and fun) design can be.

Photo of Kyara Andrews courtesy of the artist.

MEET KYARA

Kyara Andrews is a Painter, Illustrator, and Muralist based in Toronto/Tkaronto. Born in Calgary and raised across South Korea, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia, Kyara’s art is deeply influenced by her global experiences. The cultures, landscapes, and energy of the places she’s lived and traveled to are woven into her work, resulting in bold, expressive pieces that shift in style depending on the piece. She mixes traditional and digital techniques, often incorporating acrylics, oils, and digital illustration to bring her visions to life. This sense of immersion is also at the heart of Drift Designs, the creative brand founded by Kyara. Drift represents not only the fluid, organic process of her art-making but also the feeling of being carried away—of drifting into the artwork and escaping reality, even for a moment.

Designing a Web Presence for Artists with Em Harmsen

Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Virtual (Zoom)

In this workshop, Em will be highlighting different platforms for building websites. She will explain some best practices of designing a website that is not only engaging, but also accessible.

Photo of Em Harmsen courtesy of the artist.

MEET EM

Em Harmsen is a multi-disciplinary designer and artist. She runs emske - design studio, a mindful creative studio that is environmentally conscious and adaptably minded. She has a background in fashion design, technology and accessibility. Em is currently completing a PhD focused on user centred design at Queen's University. She is an advocate for inclusive practices and a big fan of slow thoughtful design and artistic work.

 
Morgan Wedderspoon
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