The Jury
Chris Ford
Chris Ford has established several art galleries throughout Southwestern Ontario over the past 30 years, making artist promotion her life’s work. She also developed and ran eight seasons of Art in the Park in Morpeth and Ridgetown, as well as one season in Chatham. She has served on several arts and culture boards and was a contributor to the municipal strategic plan for Arts and Culture. Chris loves to work with youth, instilling in them a love for the arts. Her art these days consists of photosculpting and writing, having published two fast-selling books of poetry. The Art and Heirloom Shoppe, where she partners with Sue Rumball, is home to fifty local and regional artists, many of them emerging and looking for direction. Chris looks forward to her work on the CKACN board as an opportunity to continue her passion for promoting local art and artists.
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.
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.
Juwels LeGardi
From childhood, Juwels' creative and artistic talents were encouraged by her parents, who were also accomplished artists. At the age of 15 she won the National Graphic Design Competition in USSR as best Graphic Designer.
Juwels' ability to work in different medium, which include sculpting, painting, graphic design, photography, and fashion design has shown her creative diversity.
Juwels has created works for such distinguished personalities as Frank Stronach, Mel Lastman, Ed Mervich, as well as creating covers for HOToronto Magazine, Posters for the Beaches International Jazz Festival, Toronto Fiesta, and Toronto Beachtfest Events. Juwels' artistic eye for fashion was prominent in Toronto through her LeGardi Haute Couture fashion design collection. Juwels’ artwork has found its way to collectors in both Europe, United States as well as the Museum of Aviation in Russia.
Juwels' career was certainly on the rise when in 2001 her life took a drastic turn due to a devastating car accident which left her with both a broken back and neck. Juwels laid in bed for two straight years, followed by ten years of intensive rehabilitation and recovery. Juwels' strong character helped her battle through this adversity and relocated from Toronto to the rural community of Chatham-Kent, Ontario that she to this day calls her home.
After a lengthy hiatus, Juwels is once again displaying her creative talents. Juwels was the first designer in Canada to create a complete fashion line with garments made of chocolate. Her chocolate creations were the featured event at the 2019 Toronto Chocolate Ball, and was also televised in Asia during the 2020 Fashion Week.
In addition, Juwels has once again put paint brush to canvas and is excited to again share with the public her first works of art in more then 21 years.