Speaker Series
For a 15-minute session, our exhibitors will take the stage with a microphone, offering them the chance to engage with the audience by sharing insights into one of their art pieces, their artistic journey, personal history, or any topic they wish to discuss. Following their presentation, there will be a live Q&A session.
​
2025 Schedule:
2025 Artist Lineup
Friday, April 25th
Stow, Erick
Collecting: Understanding art as an investment.
Erick Stow is a Canadian-born artist (Saskatoon. SK). He grew up in Lubbock, Texas where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in mass visual communications from Texas Tech University. Stow is the creator of a form of post-expressionism called “motionism”. Stow has toured the world with his art and has had residencies in Montreal, Calgary, Austin, and Los Angeles. His works are displayed in galleries, with private collectors, and sold in studios internationally. He is an award-winning film-maker, writer, actor, and director appearing in major motion pictures, on-stage, indie projects, and music videos. Stow's visual and editorial work has been published in magazines and newspapers internationally.
​
Friday, 1:30 PM
Booth # TBA
Mercy Anuoluwapo Abubakar & Prince Prosper Akeni
​​
Friday, 1:55 PM
Booth # TBA
Green Apple Art Center
​
​
Friday, 2:15 PM
Booth # TBA
Sallay-Carrington, Jai
We will not be Erased
Jai Sallay-Carrington is a Canadian sculptural ceramic artist originally from Vancouver BC. Jai is a queer and trans-non-binary artist whose work is heavily influenced by these aspects of their life. After receiving their BFA from Concordia University in 2014, they spent many years traveling around Canada, USA and Europe attending artist residencies, installing solo and group exhibitions as well as teaching workshops. Jai has been awarded grants from Canada Council of the Arts, SODEC and CALQ. They earned their master’s degree at the University of Washington in 2023, receiving the De Cillia Graduating with Excellence Award. Jai just completed a year-long artist residency at Baltimore Clayworks as the Lormina Salter Fellow.
​
Friday, 4:15 PM
Booth # TBA
Saturday, April 26th
Gabler, Matt
The Resilient Human: Creating Art from the Unknown Strength Within
Matt Gabler, a self-taught abstract painter from Chicagoland, channels emotion and vitality into his work. As the grandson of renowned artist Matt Lamb, he honors his family’s artistic legacy while forging his own path. Since beginning his journey in 2021, he has showcased his vibrant, bold paintings in exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally, earning critical acclaim and awards. Notable highlights include the Louvre Biennale, Cannes Art Film Festival, and showcases in Austria and Switzerland. Gabler also collaborates with charities like the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and the Rizzo Foundation, using his art to inspire and uplift.
​
Saturday, 12:35 PM
Booth # TBA​​
Cunanan, Leo
Bridging Cultures Through Art: The Story of Dimasalang III
Leo Cunanan, Jr. was born in the Philippines and moved to Vancouver, Canada, at the age of nine.
There, he developed a deep passion for the arts. His artistic journey began early when his first
drawing won first place in a school competition, sparking a lifelong dedication to creative expression.
With experience as a musician, graphic artist, and publisher, Leo has always been intensely involved
in the arts.
His transformation into a fine artist took a pivotal turn when he met Sofronio Y. Mendoza (SYM), the
founder of the Dimasalang Artist Group and one of the Philippines foremost impressionist artists.
Under SYM’s mentorship, Leo refined his skills in charcoal, pastel, and watercolor, later expanding
his repertoire to include oil painting, digital art, and mural work.
As President of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, Leo is dedicated to preserving and
sharing the group’s rich history, which began in 1968 in the Philippines and continues to flourish in
Canada. In his upcoming talk, he will guide audiences through Dimasalang’s origins, its evolution as
a collective of passionate artists, and its influence on Canadian and global art scenes.
Beyond the visual arts, Leo is the Editor-in-Chief of Dahong Pilipino, a prominent Filipino-Canadian
community and business directory based in British Columbia. He has advocated for cultural
preservation and representation for over thirty years, using art and media to uplift and celebrate
Filipino identity within Canada’s diverse artistic landscape.
​
Saturday, 12:55 PM
Booth # TBA
_heic.png)
Lilah, Sky
The Human Frequency
Sky Lilah, an artist with a mission, utilizes her creative prowess to cultivate a sense of
well-being, firmly believing that every individual is an artist in their own right.
Creativity is the vibrant thread weaving through all facets of her life, manifesting in a profusion of color and textured strokes brought to life with a palette knife. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Sky is a registered holistic nutritionist, personal trainer, group fitness, yoga, and spin instructor, seamlessly integrating her diverse passions. An accomplished entrepreneur she views work and play as inseparable entities. Sky's art has graced exhibitions in Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, and The United States, with the upcoming Art Vancouver international art fair. As an artist, actress, and athlete, she draws inspiration from her physical experiences, travels, and spirituality, infusing her art with a unique and compelling perspective.​
​
Saturday, 1:15 PM
Booth # TBA
Sunday, April 27th
Schmidt, Olya
Channeling Dreams as Inspiration and Muse-like Guidance
Olya Schmidt is a mixed media artist, specializing in acrylic, gouache and watercolour mediums. By expressing her vision through the use of bold colours, shapes and various themes from abstract to realism, she inspires others, evoking a sense of awe, curiosity and self reflection.
Sunday, 12:00 PM
Booth # TBA
Orsua, William
Landscape photography through the lens of William Orsua
​
​
Sunday, 12:00 PM
Booth # TBA