The Thinking Rock Family

Robin Sutherland, Founder & Strategic Director

Robin was raised in the remote community of Chub Lake in the beautiful Mississaugi River Valley. After graduating with a degree in Theatre and Arts Management at the University of Toronto, she worked in administrative roles in Toronto’s arts and non profit sector for five years, specializing in marketing, communications, community outreach and project and event management. In 2012 she managed the country’s first ever National Youth Arts Week in 2012 as the General Manager of ANCY (Arts Network for Children and Youth). In 2013 she apprenticed with Ruth Howard of Jumblies Theatre in community-engaged art practice while incubating Thinking Rock through the Youth Agent of Change program at the Centre for Social Innovation. She returned to Algoma to start Thinking Rock Community Arts in August 2013. Robin holds an MSc in Health, Community and Development program at the London School of Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation from the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about creating spaces for cross-cultural collaboration and youth-led community change to happen through the arts. In addition to running Thinking Rock, Robin also co-owns and manages Northern Skies Enterprises, an agri-innovation and eco-tourism startup.

Miranda Bouchard, Artistic Director

Miranda Bouchard (she/her) brings 13+ years of experience in the nonprofit arts, culture and heritage sector. Her roots, work and residence in the Algoma District of Northern Ontario inform her direction and focus her attention on intergenerational knowledge, story and skill sharing; process- and craft-based practices; and projects based or unfolding in rural settings - places familiar to her, where such practices remain prevalent.

A community artist, independent curator and arts manager, Miranda aims to create and hold spaces for dialogue, sharing and learning; increase access to and engagement in the arts, while connecting artists and publics; and act as a project collaborator, contributor and interpreter. As Thinking Rock’s artistic director, she leads the cross-culturally collaborative, intergenerational Social Fabric project, which focuses on fabric, fibre and textile traditions local to Algoma.

In 2015-16, Miranda apprenticed with Ruth Howard and Jumblies Theatre in community-engaged design & artistic practice. She has studied studio art and art history at the White Mountain Academy of the Arts (Elliot Lake, ON), the University of Guelph (Guelph, ON) and the Institute of Fine Arts, Lahti University of Applied Sciences (Lahti, Finland). She holds a certificate in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Management (Ryerson University), and is currently studying Community Economic and Social Development at Algoma University.

Lisa Meschino, Artistic Consultant

The Soft Skills Circle Project

Lisa is a community-engaged artist and researcher whose work is guided by her three passions – the arts, social wellness, and education. Born and raised in Toronto, she honed her creative skills over 30 years, studying at York University (BFA candidate), Toronto School of Art, and learning through mentorship with local artists. She completed her B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy at York University and University of Toronto respectively. In 2007, she left a 10-year career in educational publishing to pursue a PhD in cognitive neuroscience (University of Waterloo). She quickly became involved in multiple research projects related to arts, health, and leisure with University of Waterloo, The Royal Conservatory, University Health Network, and the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Lisa has worked as Manager of Operations and Communications at NORDIK Institute; as co-facilitator of the Art Speaks ArtHives; and served as a Board member at 180 Projects and Thinking Rock Community Arts. She contributed to Thinking Rock’s inaugural community-play project, The Rivers Speak, as a maker and performer. She has loved learning about and sharing in the special spirit of community in Northern Ontario with local residents and artists.

Alicia Hunt, Programming Coordinator

Alicia Hunt is an artist, facilitator, and instructor. Her visual art making practice involves direct, multisensory encounters with places through walking and foraging. Recently she has used primarily seawater and cloth to record, respond to, and contemplate the local physical and cultural geography. She looks to installation, site-specificity, and walking as substantial components of her studio practice. Through her way of working and facilitation approach, she seeks to invite wonder and discovery into the process, and desires to foster a greater connection to place and community.

Alicia grew up in BC and Northern Ireland, and has always felt at home near large bodies of water and mountains. She moved to the Algoma region in 2008 and completed her BFA in studio arts Algoma University. She spent five years instructing art classes at the Art Gallery of Algoma, and continues to prioritize working with children and families in her engagement with community. Alicia holds an MFA from NSCAD University where she was a recipient of SSHRC research funding and a research/ creation placement through the Department of Protected Areas: Environment NS and Wildshore Arts. She is instructing an online course through NSCAD University this summer centred on the daily walk, site-responsive art, and textile installation. Her work can be seen at aliciahunt.ca