Staff & Board of Directors
GALLERY STAFF
Director
Celeste Scopelites
Curator
Fynn Leitch
Curatorial Coordinator
Briar Sutherland
Education Program Coordinator
Casandra Lee
Visitor Services
Tess Kelsey
2026-27 Board of Directors
President
Voula Halliday
Voula Halliday is an author, publisher, educator, Cordon Bleu certified chef, illustrator, and radio and television presenter, whose career bridges culinary artistry with civic leadership. She is a dedicated volunteer who has served on the AGP Board since 2022, driving strategic initiatives that strengthen the gallery’s impact and reach. She also champions arts investment across the community as Vice Chair of the City of Peterborough’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.
Her leadership spans the culinary world—nationally and on the global stage. She has served as an advisor with the Culinary Tourism Alliance and Terroir Hospitality, Co-Chair of the advisory board that launched Centennial College’s Food Media Post-Graduate Program, Co-Chair of Slow Food Canada, and Chair of Slow Food Toronto. A familiar face from the days of CBC’s Steven and Chris, Voula has graced numerous North American print and digital publications with her culinary creativity, recipes, and writing.
Vice President
Caroline Seck Langill
Caroline Seck Langill joined the AGP Board of Directors in 2026, bringing extensive experience in visual art, arts education, and board governance, having spent much of her career in arts administration at OCAD University, most recently as Vice-President Academic and Provost. In this role, she was responsible for the academic mission of the university and shared responsibility for the budget with the Vice President Finance and Administration. Prior to her work at OCADU, she was active in governance with artist-run centres, and sat on boards at Artspace in Peterborough, Canadian Artist Representation of Ontario, and InterAccess in Toronto.
Caroline sustains an active scholarly practice of publishing in the arts with specializations in media art histories, and AST (art, science, and technology), in addition to experience as a curator, visual and media artist. Her education includes a PhD in Canadian Studies from Trent University, MFA in Visual Arts and Interdisciplinary Media from York University, AOCA from Ontario College of Art and a BSc in Biology from Carleton University.
Treasurer
Eva Rees
Eva Rees joined the AGP Board in 2021 after retiring from a successful career holding leadership positions, most recently at Peterborough & Kawarthas Economic Development and Fleming College. Her greatest skills and experience include team building, financial management, systems and project management, and business development including fundraising and governance. With a strong commitment to community building and her personal/family background in fine arts, Eva is pleased to continue her role as Treasurer on the Executive Committee.
Secretary
Michelle Lemme
Michelle Lemme joined the AGP Board of Directors in 2022, bringing over two decades of experience in marketing, strategic planning, and stakeholder relations across both the private and non-profit sectors. Michelle has a proven track record of success in leadership, stakeholder relations, marketing, and event management. She is a passionate advocate for the local arts and culture sector, having worked for several years in various roles with the Buckhorn Festival of the Arts, serving as a volunteer, Assistant Director, Co-Director, and Advisor.
Her deep commitment to community service is reflected across her extensive volunteer work which, at present, includes serving as Board Secretary for the Buckhorn Community Centre, Meals on Wheels coordinator, and serving as office volunteer for Buckhorn Community Care. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Michigan University and is dedicated to leveraging her strategic expertise to support the continued growth and vibrant future of the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
Trustee
Garrett Gilbart
Garrett Gilbart is a full-time artist based in Douro. He is deeply committed to contributing to the strength and visibility of our local arts community throughout the region, which inspired him to join the AGP Board of Directors in 2025. As a practicing artist, he offers a valuable perspective on the AGP’s role within the cultural fabric of our region.
His work spans a broad range of disciplines from craft, sound art, and installation, all exploring contemporary conceptual concerns. He regularly participates in exhibitions, festivals, and fairs across Ontario and beyond, building strong connections with artists and curators. He has a keen interest in collaborative growth, fundraising, and community-building and sees great potential in the AGP’s role as a hub for thoughtful, inclusive, and ambitious arts programming.
Trustee
Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven
Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven joined the AGP Board of Directors in 2026 and brings experience guiding operational decisions and supporting organizational priorities with clarity and accountability. She has worked in higher education, government, the donor and NGO world, the business sector, and with Indigenous communities within Canada and internationally. Rona sits on the Canada Research Chair (CRC) committee, Trent’s Equity committees, and The DEI Network Peterborough, and is a Board Member of the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education (CAPDHHE) and Cabinet Member of United Way Peterborough. Her passion and work are dedicated to the promotion of safe, inclusive spaces and developing community partnerships with a focus on human rights and restorative justice. Rona is currently the Director, Equity and Human Rights at Trent University.
Trustee
Michele Lacombe
Michele Lacombe is mixed ancestry Maliseet (non-status) and Acadian French from New Brunswick. She was appointed Professor Emeritus with the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies upon her retirement from Trent University in 2022. Since then, she has been involved in several research projects and joined the AGP Board of Directors in 2025. While at Trent, she taught courses in the Indigenous and Canadian Studies Departments. She has a particular interest in supporting women artists, Indigenous artists, and young people who are developing an academic focus in these areas. Michele has a passion for arts and culture ranging from traditional and conventional forms of representation to mixed media, including the Avant Garde and performance. She brings diverse academic and previous board experience to the AGP Board of Directors.
Trustee
Lesli Michaelis
Lesli Michaelis joined the AGP Board of Directors in 2026 and is drawn to the Gallery’s longstanding commitment to contemporary art, community engagement, and its unique role as a public cultural space serving Peterborough and the surrounding region. She brings extensive experience in the arts, an understanding of collection care, artist support, and the evolving role of galleries in fostering meaningful dialogue and creative expression. In addition to her background in the arts, she offers financial literacy including experience with budgeting and responsible resource stewardship.
Lesli holds a BFA from the University of Calgary and continues to study accounting and business at Fleming College. She currently works as a Financial Analyst with Health Care Relocations LTD., and was previously Gallery Coordinator and Photographer with Christensen Fine Art. As a self-employed photographer she has worked with several artists and galleries, including past work with the AGP.
Trustee
Tayler Morencie
Tayler Morencie is a visual artist and arts educator living and working in Peterborough, Ontario. Previously from Amherstburg, Ontario, Tayler completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts & Art History/Visual Culture at the University of Windsor and went on to earn a Bachelor of Education. She has been teaching high school visual arts at Lakefield College School for the past eleven years. Her personal artistic practice includes applications across a range of materials and processes, however, drawing and painting remain her focus. Tayler’s artwork explores concepts relating to memory, moments, relationships, and the beauty of our natural world. As an ambassador of the AGP, Tayler champions creative projects that help encourage youth to explore the creative process and develop their artistic voices, initiatives she also takes on in her own work.
Trustee
Jody Ridpath
Jody Ridpath, originally from Lakefield, brings a strong connection to the region and a longstanding passion for the arts and community engagement. For the past three years, she has served as General Manager and Curator at ECCO Art Gallery in Lakefield where she curates exhibitions, supports local and regional artists, develops workshops and community partnerships, and oversees the gallery’s day-to-day operations.
Jody holds a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management from Queen’s University and has completed additional studies in curating through Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Her professional background also includes entrepreneurship, digital retail, marketing, sales, and partnership development.
Jody brings practical experience in gallery operations, arts administration, audience development and fundraising to her work on the AGP Board. She is committed to supporting artists and helping strengthen the Gallery’s connections throughout Peterborough and the surrounding region.
Trustee
Deborah Scott
Deborah Scott joined the AGP Board of Directors in 2025 and brings a wealth of experience in the education and heritage sectors. She taught at Fleming College, within the Museum Management and Curatorship Program from 2003 to 2023, with specialization in Curatorial Research, Collections Management, and Exhibition Development. She gained familiarity with components of the AGP Permanent Collection when she had the opportunity to conduct research during a special residency program in 2007. Deborah is passionate about the cultural sector and brings professional experience with museums at the federal, provincial and municipal level and with not-for-profit organizations.