2025 Committee
Eva Marie Clarke (Executive Director)
Eva Marie is the Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Network. She has 25 years experience as an administrator, commentator, writer, and communications professional, working mostly in culture and the arts. Eva Marie reported nationally on arts and culture for CBC Radio Edmonton, where she was also the theatre and opera reviewer, in addition to writing for various print weeklies.
She has held various positions in the not-for-profit sector, most recently as Marketing & Communications Manager with United Way of Chatham-Kent.
As Communications Officer in charge of the Public Art portfolio at the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC), Eva Marie worked closely with the City of Edmonton, the EAC Public Art team, artists, and community to strategize, create, and disseminate proactive, consistent, engaging messaging about the city’s public art program and its value.
Eva Marie passionately believes in value arts and culture add to daily life and looks forward to being intrinsically involved in bringing creative projects to life with CKACN.
Vicki McFarland
McFarland explores, with her unusual pouring technique, a dialog with colors, shapes and angles. Intuitive, by nature, she creates work that evokes an emotional response in her viewers. She is guided often by her choice of music in her studio. We can readily see the six elements of music, rhythm, dynamics, melody (the theme), tone, texture and form that are masterfully interpreted on her canvasses. Typically, she will pick a song and let the rhythm become part of the design process.
“When designing, the negative (white) space is equally important to me as the colors I select. Knowing the direction and the scale of the flow sets the theme of the piece. After the first pour, I construct the composition from there”.
The artist loves the boundless freedom of letting go of preconceived ideas; allowing her intuition to dictate the process. She describes this as “pouring her heart out”. One can readily see the mastery she has achieved. The technique is so difficult that it is often seen as easy. Quite the opposite. Like the prima ballerina spinning on her toes, the experience is breathtaking; perceived as so clean and simple, yet thousands of hours have gone into perfecting the skill.
“I am rewarded by being able to express my feelings in a piece of art. I liken the experience to a runner’s high which many artists feel. To cross the ‘finish line’ as I bring a painting to its conclusion brings me the greatest joy. My heartfelt wish is to pass along the full range of emotions on canvases and paper to the viewer.”
Pamela Smith
A native of Chatham-Kent, Pamela Smith returned to her roots after completing a three-year degree in Graphic Design at George Brown College in Toronto. Pamela has worked in print media with many of our community newspapers, and was part of the core group that developed a new in-house design and advertising department with RM Classic Cars/RM Auctions in Blenheim. In 2007, she partnered with her husband in the development of Classic Restoration and Design, a local historical restoration business. Pamela has been involved with Rotary, The Mary Webb Centre for the Arts, Dresden Shines, Dresden Community Healthcare Foundation, Dresden Kinsmen Club, and Chatham-Kent Big Sisters. She developed her skills as a graphic designer, artist, marketer, entrepreneur, and community advocate, networking in and around her community of Dresden. She is passionate about promoting music, art and community events, and looks forward to working with CKACN supporting arts and cultural activities in our community.
Laurie Langford
(Board Chair)
Laurie Langford is Chair of the Chatham-Kent Arts & Culture Network. She is a visual artist with more than two decades of solo and group exhibitions across Canada and the United States. Her work traverses the realms of assemblage, collage, and photography, and can be found in private collections throughout North America. In 2020, she ventured into storytelling, contributing narratives to "RED: The Island Storybook," a magazine that evokes the essence of Prince Edward Island.
In 2023, Langford embarked on a Master's Degree in Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island. She is crafting a thesis centered on her great-grandfather, a pivotal figure in establishing the renowned silver fox industry.
Laurie’s artistic journey took a significant step in September 2024, when she co-presented a creative collaboration at the closing ceremonies of the "First Islands Water Congress" in Torshavn, Faroe Islands. This innovative project is poised to be featured again at the "Turning the Tide" conference in St. Peter's, Prince Edward Island, scheduled for June 2025.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Laurie Rayner Langford's educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto, focusing on English Literature and Art History, reflecting her commitment to both artistic exploration and intellectual inquiry.
James Snyder
James Snyder has served in numerous leadership roles in the areas of community development, non-profit housing, social planning, strategic planning, sustainable cultural, recreational and community building/facility development, and governance. He has developed proposals for development/expansion for multiple agencies, boards, non-profit and private corporations, and, as a volunteer, he has formed and chaired more than 30 non-profit organizations since 1975. A resident of downtown Chatham, James Snyder is currently semi-retired.