Executive
Zandra Juarez (President)
Zandra was born and raised in Mexico City. She holds a BA in Modern English Language and Literature as well as a Major in Literary Criticism by UNAM (Mexico). Her passion for teaching and writing has been instrumental for her career with over 20 years experience as a professor. As an advocate for the arts, she has founded a school community-based bilingual literary magazine and contributed as editor and author to different bilingual publications. She has participated in translation and literary criticism congresses, as well as international cultural festivals both in Canada and in Mexico. She values the impact of mentorship to impulse new talent as well as its power to create connections across generations within society. Zandra joined GAC as volunteer writer for the Communications Committee as well as Secretary of the Board, then she became Board Vice President. She currently serves GAC as Guelph Arts Council President of the Board of Directors.
Joni NehRita (Vice President)
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Rebecca Kelly (Secretary)
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Erik Grosz (Treasurer)
Erik is a manager at RLB LLP in Guelph. He has worked in public accounting for the past five years serving Guelph and the surrounding area and holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. He has always been aware of Guelph’s strong arts culture and is pleased to support the efforts of the Guelph Arts Council.
Directors
Danna Evans (Ex-Officio)
As General Manager of Culture and Recreation for the City of Guelph, Danna and her team manage the River Run Centre, Sleeman Centre, Guelph Museums, Culture programs, Recreation facility and programs, Local Immigration Partnership and Community Investment (Grants, subsidies). Danna has worked for the City of Guelph for almost 14 years; starting her City career at the River Run Centre. Danna’s passion for Culture stems from performing arts and special event management. An alumnus of The University of Waterloo, Danna got her start in theatre as an Equity Stage Manager. In 2003, Danna moved from theatre production to theatre administration with the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, assisting event planning, technical supervision and front of house. Danna is actively involved with Girl Guides of Canada as a Volunteer Leader with the Guide program.
Susan Carey
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Paul Barson
Paul Barson has been involved in the Guelph theatre scene since 2010. First as an actor and singer and then as a producer, director and writer. Paul is the Publicity Chair and board member with Royal City Musical Productions and has been involved with Guelph Little Theatre and RCMPI as a board member, producer, actor and director. In 2017 Paul co-founded The Downtown Theatre Project where he acts as producer, director, actor and technical director. In 2019 Paul took over as the Festival Coordinator of The Guelph Fringe Festival. Paul is also the Volunteer Chair on the Guelph Arts Council board of directors. Paul has spearheaded other artistic endeavors in Guelph, as the producer of Rhymes with Elf, a winter holiday music CD that raised thousands of dollars for ED Video and the Guelph Youth Music Centre, and also as the producer of “Art in the Park” events, Winter Wonderland Theatre at Riverside Park (2020) and Spider Secrets at Exhibition Park (2021). Paul is also the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for Pantsuit Fridays, a duo with his multi-talented partner, Jen Barson. Paul was also the co-founder and creator of The Southern Ontario Amazing Race, a fundraising event that brought in $1.1 million for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington. Paul strongly believes in striving for equity, in the arts and beyond. Paul lives in Downtown Guelph with Jen and his four children.
