Julie René de Cotret is a French Canadian independent artist-curator, born in Montreal. They received their BFA from NSCAD in 2004 and a MVS from UofT, in curatorial studies, in 2018. They have exhibited and curated exhibition projects internationally: Canada, US, Sweden, Greece, Switzerland, Korea, Germany. René de Cotret is co-founder and independent curator/director of the artist residency program at the School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph, Ontario (2009-...). They have been an active board member in ARC’s for the last 15 years, and are currently chair of the board of GNO, Sudbury. Their vision is to create projects, which are generative and celebrate art and environmental advocacy, while fostering community making. Their methodology is always collaborative.
Jefferson Campbell-Cooper brings an enthusiastic approach to drawing, sculpture, performance, and sound installation. He has constructed an operational backhoe from driftwood, and weather instruments from forest materials. Through observation, lived experiences and limited resource scenarios, he has developed perspectives in environmental art, cannibalistic economic models, and colonialism. Recent projects feature kinetic sculptures for a municipal street-cleaning service. Another aspect of his professional practice involves social mapping projects in collaboration with communities. He exhibits nationally and abroad, and has multiple works in permanent collections. He completed his MFA from Meadows School of the Arts, Dallas, Texas, and BFA from Nova Scotia College of Art, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Many thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for their generous support.
