The people behind Stepping Stones Expressive Arts
Rachel and Wendy are graduates of the Expressive Arts program at the Haliburton School of the Arts, Fleming College. They have worked in many different social service settings. Both Wendy and Rachel use art and creativity as a focus - personally and professionally. They truly enjoy their creative partnership at Stepping Stones Expressive Arts. With love and laughter, they build on each other's ideas. They will bring you unique and playful art-making experiences. The focus will be on personal learning and growth.
About Rachel and Wendy
Rachel Tanner (Post Graduate Certificate Expressive Arts, Bachelor of Social Work) brings her heart and soul to her work as an Expressive Arts Guide. For many years she has been a pottery teacher. She gently encourages her students to reach beyond “conventional” clay pieces. Rachel will allow you to follow your creative spirit. She wholeheartedly celebrates the accomplishments of her students and has taught and supported people with a wide variety of abilities. Rachel also has a busy Independent Facilitation practice where she works to support adults living with disabilities to build their most meaningful life in community. Rachel has worked in many different settings, including:
- Homer Watson Gallery
- Developmental Services Resource Centre
- Family and Children's Services
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Long-term care
- KW Habilitation
- Bridges to Belonging
- Her neighbourhood and her home studio
Wendy Newbery (Post Graduate Certificate Expressive Arts, MSc Family Studies, Honours BA Fine Art), brings her incredible passion for Expressive Arts into her work in this field. She has shared her creative spirit with the world through her visual art. She uses various media, including painting, photography and fibre. Wendy is able to see art in the “everyday.” She relishes the process of creating art in a way that is contagious to those around her.
Her early work was in the sexual health field. After this, she shifted her focus to the world of people living with disabilities. She has become a well-known advocate and voice in the community for inclusion and belonging. Wendy presently balances a commitment to her private practice in Independent Facilitation with her role as an Expressive Arts Guide. It has been Wendy's lifelong passion to bring the benefits of creating art to everyone. Through the years, Wendy has worked in a variety of settings, including:
- Sexuality education projects
- Family and Children's Services
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Volunteering in palliative care settings
- Planned Lifetime Networks
- Neighbourhood art Projects
