Community

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Leo Dias is a self-taught artist who was born in São Miguel, Azores, and immigrated to Canada as a child. He grew up in a rural coastal town, where his parents cultivated their own food and life moved through the rhythms of nature.

From the tropical landscapes of Chiapas to the urban streets of Mississauga, Melina Cossío’s art captures the quiet dialogue between nature and city life. Her story reveals how travel, culture, and change continue to shape her distinctive artistic voice. Her cityscapes weave light, texture, and memory into layered reflections of place, where the rhythm of humanity harmonizes with mother nature.

This Jamaican Canadian designer and illustrator blends fantastical realism with cartooning, focusing on children’s art and showing how storytelling and design spark imagination and growth.

Laura Garcia is a Mexican-Canadian Graphic Designer and Artist whose work blends cultural heritage with technical skill. Inspired by a family of designers, she transitioned from childhood drawing to professional training under Mexican artist Sandra del Valle.

Melissa Fitzgerald, a Kitchener-based artist and art instructor also known as The Green Witch, draws inspiration from nature, creativity, and earth-based spirituality. Growing up in a family of artists, her creative path evolved naturally through crafts, writing, and painting.

Jessica Rudolph is the Founder and CEO of My Very Own Blanket, a nonprofit dedicated to providing children in foster care with comfort, love, and a sense of belonging through handmade, personalized blankets. Founded in 1999, the organization has delivered thousands of blankets each year with the help of volunteers across North America and beyond. What began as a quiet moment of knitting became a global community effort, transforming a simple handmade item into a powerful symbol of care, stability, and hope for children navigating uncertainty.