LEIGH MACLEOD

Leigh MacLeod’s journey to becoming the founder and Director of Willow Arts Community is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the arts, mental health advocacy, and belief in the power of community. Shaped by growing up in rural Niagara, the arts were often a place of togetherness and celebration for their proud working class family. Dancing, singing, listening to records, song-writing, and helping to run a family martial arts dojo are particularly happy memories during a childhood marked with adversary. Shauna spent much of their youth sitting up high in a beloved willow tree on their property, seeking sanctuary and writing poetry.

As a psychiatric system survivor in their teens, and a parent by 19, Leigh spent most of adulthood navigating poverty, the mental health system, and their sexual and gender identity. Shauna graduated top of their class at Niagara College in the General Arts and Science University Transfer Program, and received the Dean’s Academic Award. They fueled their passion studying History at Brock University, focusing on classes that explored classism and power dynamics, native and non-native relations, and social history. In 2010, Leigh’s sibling, who struggled with substance use and mental health, passed away at a local shelter facility. This loss deeply impacted Leigh, and sparked their dedication to creating safe and accessible spaces for others seeking connection and healing. This grassroots initiative evolved into Willow Arts Community.

Leigh received community education and training from a 3-year collaboration with Workman Arts in Toronto, Art Fix in North Bay, and Mindful Makers in Thunder Bay. Leigh greatly benefited from a 4-year residency at Rodman Hall Art Centre where they worked closely with staff, and currently has mentors from arts management and non-profit and governance sectors who continue to help shape their work today. Leigh received the Jury’s Pick award with the City of St. Catharines Arts Award in 2018 for the founding of Willow Arts Community, and in the same year was a GNCC Woman in Business finalist.

At the heart of Leigh’s work is the power of vulnerability. Their lived experiences, marked by personal challenges and triumphs, resonates with many and draws people in with an authentic and heartfelt approach. Their commitment to reducing stigma and barriers, sharing resources and arts education, and creating a space where individuals can find healing and hope through the arts sets an inspiring example of what’s possible for the Niagara region.

Kate Leathers

Kate Leathers (they/she) has worked in the cultural sector for three decades. As an administrator, project manager, and production technician, they have worked for dozens of theatres, art galleries, and cultural organizations across Canada.

Kate’s artistic management practice includes projects in multiple disciplines and consultancy work with the firm Janis A. Barlow & Associates and private clients. They have managed small and large visual and digital arts projects, consulted on financial and strategic planning for arts organizations across North America, and served in managerial roles on events ranging from community workshops to professional multi-day, multi-disciplinary events. They hold a BA in Drama from Bishop’s University and an MBA from McMaster University.

Kate has lived in the Niagara Region for twenty years and works to support the local arts sector’s growth by acting as a resource for artists, arts workers, and arts companies in need of assistance with financial and project planning, technical advice, and preparing funding applications. They were the General Manager at Carousel Players, Niagara’s professional theatre for young audiences, from 2017 to 2023 and have worked for many other performance, visual arts, heritage, and multi-arts organization in the Region.

Kate teaches Arts Management at Brock University and offers workshops and mentorship in grant writing and arts management for local artists and arts workers.

PATRICK CRUMMEY

Patrick Crummey is a local social entrepreneur and advocate for mental health and substance use awareness. Patrick is a strong believer in the importance of social support for mental health recovery, and works to fight the stigma of mental illness and substance use wherever he finds it. 

Professionally, Patrick brings his experience working in the professional development field in Toronto, as well as his insight as an entrepreneur and the founder of Spire Connect – a locally based corporate events development firm. Personally, he brings his own lived experience with mental health and substance use to Willow’s Board. Having experienced the isolating effects of mental illness and substance use first hand, Patrick is passionate about building communities for individuals to connect and recover.

Patrick holds an Honours B.A from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict & Justice. He regularly contributes to Niagara’s only alternative arts paper, The Sound. In addition to The Willow, he is an active volunteer with Start Me Up Niagara.

Jay Lupish

Director

Jason Lupish is a multi-disciplined visual artist whose tool of choice is typically a camera. He has spent the past 15 years working in film and television and his short and feature length films have played at festivals around the world and received a number of awards and recognition.

He often spends his spare time developing marketing and communications plans for small to medium sized businesses and spent a year as a Communications Consultant for the Niagara Region.

In 2017, Lupish and his long-time producing partner started Jarico Films for Youth a not-for-profit film production company that produces films in collaboration with Niagara’s Youth, and offers employment opportunity and life-skills training for youth in need.

SARAH LESNIEWSKI

A big believer in the transformative power of art, Sarah is excited to support the Willow Arts Community.

Sarah was born and raised in Niagara, and has a Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto, LL.B. from the University of Windsor, and LL.M. from the University of Ottawa. In 2005, she was called to the Bar of Ontario as a Barrister and Solicitor. After earning her degrees and legal qualification, Sarah moved to Switzerland and then to the UK, where she lived for many years.

She has worked in advocacy, research, campaigns, and communications across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, including stints at the Women’s Budget Group, City & Guilds, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and the British Prime Minister’s Office. She also co-produced a community art project called “Politics Uncovered”, which offered women in east London a beginner’s guide to politics.

Now back in Toronto with her partner and young son, Sarah can usually be found working in digital strategy and communications, supporting political campaigns, or plotting a new project. Although not currently practicing law, Sarah retains her membership in the Law Society of Ontario.