Maggie Buchanan, President
In 1999 Maggie formed a steering committee to explore the creation of a local arts council and ODAC was established the following year. With its lead partner, Mariposa Folk Festival, ODAC was successful in creating a downtown storefront office to support local arts and festivals - the Spotlight on Arts and Festivals office opened its doors in 2003.
Maggie served two terms as a Councillor for the City of Orillia from 1997 to 2003 and is currently employed full-time as a Counsellor at Georgian College. Her satirical writings have been included in the Leacock Museum's Local Literary Lapses and the Packet and Times.
Joe Fecht, Vice-President
Joe has a few passions; a big one is blues music. He created the Orillia Spring Blues festival in 1996 which grew. After 30 years in social services in management positions, he now knows how to balance on downhill and water skis, lean into corners on the motorcycle and focus while running. These transferable skills, along with house building renovations experience, result in him being able to support, participate and contribute to ODAC.
Treasurer: Vacant
Linda Tiffin, Secretary
Linda Tiffin grew up on a farm near a small town by the name of Chesley, near Hanover). She graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours B. Sc. in Kinesiology. Her career began at HRC and later she worked as a service co-ordinator for developmentally handicapped living in nursing homes throughout the region. In 1989 Linda took over management of the business she and her husband Bill, own and operate - Tiffin's Creative Centre - a retail store in downtown Orillia which is a combination copy shop, art shop and gift shop. Visual Art - from technical to graphic to fine art - forms the basis of all aspects of the business. Bill and Linda have been active in the arts community through support of the Orillia Museum of Art and History, the Orillia Fine Arts Association, the summer Art Market, the Downtown Orillia Management Board's Art Walk, the Lions/Rotary Funfest with the Art in the Park and most importantly, promoting the sale and appreciation of the work of local visual artists.
Gordon Ball
Gordon Ball is a "folkie" and a volunteer with the Mariposa Folk Foundation (MFF). He was a member of the original 3-man team who brought the Mariposa Folk Festival back to Orillia in 2000. The annual need for seasonal office support for the festival fuelled his interest in seeing a year-round office supporting not only the Mariposa Folk Festival but other festivals and arts-related organizations. The MFF was delighted to be a founding partner with the Orillia & District Arts Council in the establishment of the Spotlight office on Peter St. Gordon lives in Rowanwood, a rural residential co-operative community in Oro-Medonte Township, and sings and plays in the 7-member folk band called "Alex".
Ann Burgess
Ann is co-chair of the Marketing Committee for Mariposa Folk Festival. As original staffperson at Spotlight, Ann is very familiar with the history and needs of ODAC. Currently, Ann sits on ODAC's Grants Committee.
Director: Vacant
Phil Hull
Phil Hull is a retired librarian whose avocation of performing in live theatre has transformed him into a leader and advocate for Orillia's cultural life. Phil is Past President of the Mariposa Arts Theatre Foundation which hosts film nights to bring artistically deserving movies to the Orillia community in addition to its theatre offerings. A member of the steering committee which formed ODAC, Phil is committed to the Spotlight office and its role as a vehicle to coordinate and enrich the robust cultural life of Orillia.
Christopher Jackson
Christopher Jackson is an art historian, curator and writer. He received his BFA in Photography and Painting, and his MA. in Art History from York University. He has served in senior positions at Calgary's Glenbow Museum, the Art Gallery of Hamilton and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Chris has organised nationally touring exhibitions on Group of Seven founder Lawren Harris and 19th century painting and photography, as well as regionally touring exhibitions on A.J Casson and Alberta artist Marion Nicoll. He has lectured and written widely on Canadian art and has taught the History of Photography at Hamilton's Mohawk College, Canadian art through McMaster University and the History of Design at Sheridan College in Brampton. He is currently guest curating at the Frederick H. Varley Art Gallery in Markham.
Vicki McNaney
Vicki is a member of the Board of the Mariposa Folk Foundation as well as ODAC and has been actively involved in organizing the annual Mariposa Folk Festival. She has recently been named Chair of the Festival Organizing Committee, attesting to her hard work and organizational ability. Vicki has been a teacher for seven years and has been involved in coaching sports teams, organizing arts clubs and acting as lead teacher to the student council. She is also the union representative for the school. Vicki volunteered for the Mariposa Folk Festival since its return to Orillia, serving as the performer hospitality coordinator.
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