CHANTAL LEBLANC
Chantal Leblanc, a Québécoise from Québec City graduated from Central Technical Fine Arts program in 1994 and went on to specialize in artistic plaster applications and commissioned sculpture work. She taught mosaics to adults at the Central Technical School, and has been teaching kids in French through the public education system for the past five years. She started MOSAIKID, a project in which she encourages children to express their dreams, identities and cultural heritages through mosaic mural making. In creating LA MUSE, she aims to share her knowledge and love of art and creation.  www.mosaikid.com

MARIE-DO HYMAN-BONEU
Originally from Toulouse, France, Marie-Do Hyman-Boneu is a graduate of the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, where she worked as a stylist for fashion photographers. In 1999 she left Paris with her husband for a two-year Land Rover trek that took them across Europe and Asia to Hanoi in Vietnam. She was greatly inspired by the artistic traditions on the countries they visited. In Vietnam she studied the ancient art of lacquer which she uses as a painting technique. Her creativity finds its expression in her highly original lamps and collage work on furniture.

MARCELA CAMPOS
Throughout her life Marcela's art has been an unavoidable expression of her experiences, coloured by the many cultures she has lived in and visited. Her unique style combines beauty and simplicity with the essence and diversity of modern art. Her art reflects the union of thought, emotion and imagination. Her works are visual signs that convey emotion and experience. This pure self expression does not intend to represent facts or information but rather to create a dialogue, creating meaning through intuition, instinct and experience.

LEAH GOLD
There’s nothing that excites Leah like a great art workshop and some good materials. That’s why she has such a good time here at La Muse designing birthday parties for kids and teaching artists of all ages about her favourite medium, encaustic (wax) painting. Since being awarded her BFA by Concordia University in 2006, Leah has split her time between Toronto and Latin America, working, volunteering, and leading art workshops for children and teens. Now based in Toronto, Leah can be found in her downtown studio creating encaustic paintings. Her work, which deals with issues of belonging versus isolation, can be seen on her website at www.leahgoldart.com. Leah is also an instructor at Art Heart Community Art Centre, a non-profit organization based in Regent Park.

DOUGLAS HURST
Douglas “Ducky” Hurst, artist, has always had a passion for monsters and everything creepy. Douglas received a diploma for Fashion Design at the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Toronto. He has recently   created the Kids’ Creature Factory Inc. and developed the original trademarked concept of Miinsters Culture Club Canada. Miinsters are mini-monsters created from the bases of everyday sponge, pipe cleaners and fun fur. Learn more about them at www.miinsters.com. Douglas believes that working together in community; children learn teamwork, mutual respect and tolerance. He plays an active role in community service and charity fund raising. (Lupus Canada, the United Way, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and Variety Village’s Children Charity). Douglas will be part of the Toronto Winter City Event 2009 where he introduces “Fun Fleece Knot Hats”.

CRYSTAL PICHÉ
Crystal Piché is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design. She also spent a semester as an exchange student at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris, France. Crystal has had the joy of living and working in Killarney Provincial Park for three summers and a fall where she promoted the park's rich artistic and natural heritage. The stunning landscapes and lichen-covered red rock of the region are the subject of Crystal's current body of paintings. She has exhibited her work in Killarney, Kingston, Port Elgin and Toronto. In addition to teaching at Studio La Muse, she assists mural workshops with Arts for Children of Toronto in various schools across the city.