MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

A young woman with glasses and long brown hair smiling in front of a colorful mural that reads support local artists.

  • Executive Director

    Maddi Andrews is an Artist and Art Educator based in Katarokwi/Kingston. She is currently employed as the Executive Director of Cultivate Art Commons, where she seeks to create opportunities for community exchange, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and collective wellness. Maddi completed her Master’s in Art History at Queen’s University in 2021, and previously received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art History and a Certificate of International Studies from Queen’s University in 2019.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • A woman with shoulder-length hair with green, blonde, and black streaks, smiling outdoors in front of a glass building.

    Kyra Safar (She/Her)

    CHAIR

    Kyra Safar is an economist by trade, but spends much of her free time working with the arts community in Kingston in a variety of capacities, from participating in classes and workshops to coordinating exhibitions and volunteering for boards. She believes strongly in the role of mutual support in art and has loved being part of the community here in Kingston. She is thrilled to be part of the Board and excited to continue to support emerging and established artists!

  • A woman with glasses and hoop earrings stands in a garden with sunflowers, pink flowers, and greenery during sunset.

    Morgan Wedderspoon (She/Her)

    CO-CHAIR

    Morgan Wedderspoon is an artist, educator, and arts administrator who is passionate about art practice in community and its potential for grassroots-led social transformation—both imagining and working toward a more just and livable future for all. She earned a Master of Fine Art in Printmaking from the University of Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) from Queen’s University.

  • Portrait of a young woman with dark curly hair, wearing a black top with red embroidered accents and a blue and white religious pendant necklace, smiling against a black background.

    Baraa Abuzayed (She/Her)

    SECRETARY

    Baraa Abuzayed is a Ph.D. student in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University. Through her artistic practice, she incorporates mixed media installation using textiles and film, where she explores themes of family, home, belongingness, identity, and storytelling. In the past, Baraa has served on several boards in the NGO sector. At Cultivate Art Commons, Baraa hopes to help in the continued support of emerging artists and building community connections!

  • A woman with curly reddish-brown hair, wearing a turquoise top, silver cross necklace, and dangling earrings with blue beads, posing outdoors.

    Faten Mitwasi

    TREASURER

    Faten Mitwasi is a Palestinian conceptual artist, curator, and scholar whose work centres on survivance, cultural memory, and the aesthetics of resistance. Through multimedia installations—integrating handmade elements alongside digital media—and research-creation methodologies, her work explores home, identity, fragmentation, and Palestinian visual culture. With a background in fine arts leadership and community-grounded pedagogy, she curates exhibitions, develops cultural programs, and teaches creative practices shaped by decolonial, relational, and community-based frameworks. Faten is currently pursuing a PhD in Screen Cultures & Curatorial Studies at Queen’s University.

  • A smiling man with short hair and a beard, wearing a white polo shirt, standing with arms crossed against a blue background.

    Noah Mirembe Gabigogo (He/Him)

    BOARD DIRECTOR

    Noah Mirembe Gabigogo is a 2nd year PhD student in the Cultural Studies Departmenr at Queen’s University. He is a mission-driven policy and development professional with over eight years of experience advancing gender equity, human rights, and inclusive programming across Africa and North America. Currently serving as Development Officer at the Equality Fund, he manages a CAD $20 million grant portfolio and leads engagement strategies with philanthropic partners to fund transformative feminist work. He is the co-founder of The Taala Foundation in Uganda, supporting LGBTQ+ mental health and legal advocacy, and has worked with organizations like Rainbow Railroad and the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice to support displaced communities through strategic partnerships and donor engagement. A Ford Foundation Global Fellow and graduate of the University of Oxford and Harvard Law School, he brings deep experience in governance, equity-centered strategy, and community building. Based in Kingston, he is committed to supporting Cultivate Art Commons’ mission to champion experimental art and foster inclusive, artist-led spaces.

  • A man with dark curly hair and glasses, wearing a gray sweater, sitting at an arcade with colorful gaming machines around him, smiling with eyes closed.

    Luis Vega

    BOARD DIRECTOR

    Luis Vega is a Colombian photographer and designer based in Kingston, Ontario. He is a fan of supporting artists, and evoking emotions with visual media. With a degree in Graphic Design from St. Lawrence College and 8 (and counting) years of experience in the creative arts, he’s very excited to be a part of the Board.

  • A woman smiling outdoors in a forested mountain area with blue sky and mountains in the background.

    Madeleine Dempster

    BOARD DIRECTOR

    Madeleine Dempster is a PhD candidate in Art History at Queen’s University where her research focuses on the art collections of 18th century French artists and architects. Her work is generously funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. She holds a master’s degree in Art History from Queen’s, in which she explored the art market connections between France and Canada and the fonds Desjardins. Madeleine is passionate about interdisciplinary research and arts-based community engagement. When she is not researching or exploring galleries and museums, Madeleine is out hiking, birding, and camping!