Our Jurors:

Melissa La Porte

Melissa La Porte has been the Executive Director/Curator at the Temiskaming Art Gallery since 2017 and is a founding member of the Yes We Can curatorial collective. She holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Literatures and the Arts from Brock University and a Master’s degree in Art and Visual Culture from Guelph University. She is passionate about innovative, inclusive art projects that are accessible to everyone, while pushing the boundaries of the status quo. She is a firm believer that art makes the world a better place.

Virginia M. Eichhorn

Virginia M. Eichhorn has over 30 years of experience in the visual arts. A professor at Georgian College (Barrie Campus), she specializes in post-graduate museum and gallery studies. She holds a degree in Art History from Queen’s University and pursued further studies at the University of Toronto.  

As an independent curator, she has focused on ecological and non-traditional exhibition spaces, presenting exhibitions at prestigious venues, including the XII Biennale of Art in Portugal. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Judy Chicago, Maria Hupfield, and Tim Whiten, curating for institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum.  

In addition to curating, she has written numerous catalogue essays and contributed articles to prominent Canadian magazines, including *Canadian Art*, as well as international publications such as *Ceramics Monthly*. Her writing has also been featured by institutions like the National Gallery of Canada and the MacKenzie Art Gallery.  

Her artistic practice explores feminist narratives through both traditional and non-traditional media. Critic Robert Reid describes her curatorial approach as bridging fine art and craft, challenging convention and elitism.

Cesar Forero,
artist, architect & performer.
President of the Ontario Society of Artists

Forero is a Colombian/Canadian, BIPOC and member of the LGTBQIA2S+ artist with background in architecture, sculpture, painting, and public performance. He is currently the president of the Ontario Society of Artists. He is a member and exhibition coordinator of the International Academy of Ceramist AIC/IAC. He holds an MA from the Minnesota State University and MFA from the University of Waterloo, Ontario. His artworks and performances are shown worldwide, stand in public and private collections and has been nationally and internationally awarded. His practice emphasizes on social humanitarian and environmental issues. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French and German. As a hobby, Forero cultivates a passion for bonsai.

His artistic practice has focused on the protection of our society rights and the wellbeing of our planet, which go hand to hand. A big portion of his artwork is dedicated on creating opportunities to present the artwork nationally and around the globe for himself and his colleagues. He is an exhibition leader and facilitator at several national and international art organizations.