The 10th annual Voice and Vision collaboration anonymously pairs 15 artists and 15 writers from Airdrie and surrounding communities to create pieces inspired by each other’s work. Writers begin the project with a prose or poetry piece, in any genre or style, with a 250-word limit. Artists begin the project with a piece no larger than 20” x 20” in any medium or form. This year’s project book, which will feature all 60 original pieces, will be available at the show opening, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, at the new Inspire multi-use and library facility in Airdrie.
1. Penny Atkins and Judy Dufort
Penny Atkins is a creative artist who teaches fine art at a private art studio in Calgary. She enjoys drawing portraits using chalk pastel, as well as pencil. Atkins has been dabbling in new styles of acrylic painting, including contemporary impressionism. Her specialty is painting whimsical themes using acrylic paint, which include brightly coloured crooked houses and cheerful landscapes.
Judy Dufort’s writing path began in university. Since her retirement, she has focused on completing her fantasy novel, The Sarken Legacy. If you want to discover some of the creative processes that make up The Sarken Legacy, check out her \YouTube channel, youareinthewriteplace.
2. Angela Stone and Kelly Lauzon
Angela Stone is a self-taught artist who enjoys depicting wildlife and landscapes in coloured pencils, watercolour and acrylic paint. Currently based in Airdrie, Angela has lived in three provinces and travelled Canada coast-to-coast, drawing inspiration from the incredible natural beauty.
Writing has always been an emotional outlet for Kelly Lauzon. As a poet, her work is often darker in nature, dealing with life’s struggles. She began writing as a child to help deal with insomnia and has continued to find comfort in her creative process. Lauzon is a librarian and the mother of two beautiful kids.
3. Mary Watts and Chad Stewart
Growing up in the Philippines, Mary Watts was surrounded by colours. A few years ago, her older sisters inspired her to paint. She started with flora, animal portraits and landscapes. Most recently, she has been dabbling in people portraits and still life.
Chad Stewart, a resident of Airdrie, is the author of nine books in different genres: inspirational, self help, YA action-adventure and horror He has been exploring poetry in this last year, an art he left dormant for 30 years, but now uses for personal reflection, and mental health and clarity. Writing has become his lifeblood in recent years and he plans to increase his output this year and those which are to come.
4. Yevheniia Vasylkova and Allissa Blondin
Yevheniia Vasylkova is a visual artist who works primarily with watercolours, using her art to explore themes of mental health, the healing power of nature and various aspects of her identity. Originally from Ukraine, Vasylkova moved to Airdrie with her wife and their dog in response to the Russian invasion. Her current work centres on the experience of trauma and the therapeutic potential of the artistic process.
Allissa Blondin has been wrangling with words professionally for more than 25 years — miraculously, she still loves it. In 2018, she founded an author services company, now called The Feathered Pen, to help writers find their voice. When she’s not conjuring stories or channelling creativity, you’ll find her hanging out with her favourite people: her husband and their two boys.
5. Marlin Derksen and Carlie Melody Mae
Marlin Derksen is a self-taught artist who likes to experiment with different mediums and styles. Creating is the joyful process – the end result is pretty cool, too. He lives west of Airdrie and spices his life with some very special cats, his garden, board games and acquiring all kinds of information.
Carlie Melody Mae is a Chaos to Clarity coach and creator of The Wild In-Between — a harbour for those weathering life’s storms. Her work explores the raw ingredients of a good life and the quiet art of letting disruption and pain forge us into who we are meant to be.
6. Laurie Brigan and Margaret G. Hanna
Laurie Brigan has been living in Airdrie for the last 62 years. She has always enjoyed painting, sewing and crafts. Although she has no formal training, her painting is exceptional. Her passion is old buildings and scenery. As a fun fact, every one of Laurie’s paintings contains a hidden treble clef.
Born and bred under broad prairie skies and raised in the love of history and the land, Margaret G. Hanna’s writing illuminates her heritage through both fiction and non-fiction.
7. Cheryl Hoff and Sheila E. Humphrey
Cheryl Hoff is a visual artist residing in Crossfield, Alberta, Canada. With a vibrant eye to detail, color, & composition Cheryl always knew her art was an integral part of her being. A lifetime artist with strong technical skills, she specializes in creating paintings that speak clearly and directly to others.
A participant in Voice and Vision since the beginning, Sheila continues to be inspired by this unique, creative and collaborative project. Prose, poetry, drama and song writing find expression on her pages. Get in touch: sheilahumphrey62@gmail.com
8. Elizabeth Hall and Shane Kroetsch
Elizabeth Hall is a mixed media artist whose work expresses human emotion; our growth as individuals and our connections with other people and nature. Born and raised in a small community called South Bar on the islands off Cape Benton, Nova Scotia, Hall was surrounded by the beauty of an island with a culture rooted in the importance of family, friends and a community that embraces the arts, heritage, and nature in everyday life.
Shane Kroetsch is the author of dark stories that shine a light on the condition of being human. Except, sometimes there are monsters too… Shane lives, works, and creates on Treaty 7 territory in Southern Alberta. You can follow his writing shenanigans online at ShaneKroetsch.com.
9. Sophie Derksen and Lynn Kirkpatrick
This is Sophie’s first year participating in Voices and Visions. She has enjoyed many artistic projects throughout her life, both visual and performing, and is currently pursuing a BFA at Alberta University of the Arts. To Sophie, art is the mind’s tool which translates the non-physical into the physical.
Lynn Kirkpatrick’s writing path began after retirement when her appreciation for the preciousness of life blossomed. Lynn is a poet who focuses on everyday joy, humour, and passions. She was a teacher most of her working life and now enjoys spending her days with her grandchildren and volunteering in her community.
10. Tami Hort and Sharon Christie
Versatility describes Tami’s style; she paints all genres and mediums. After moving to Airdrie in 1988, she joined the Airdrie Artist Guild in 1992 and served as president for many years. Tami enjoys the Voice and Vision collaboration as it provides her with a new artistic opportunity within her community.
Sharon Christie, born in the now imploded Calgary General Hospital, currently lives and works in Alberta in the mental health field. Her poetry has appeared in ekphrastic poetry publications, Guest 25: Above Ground Publications, and the anthology Uncommon Grounds. Sharon has published self-help articles during her mental health career, appearing in several magazines.
11. Tanya Fix and Ann Edall Robson
Tanya is a self-taught artist whose journey began with paper, ink, texture, and media not typically on scrapbook pages. Her curiosity explored and her art transformed eight years ago when she integrated these with canvas, fiber, and resin. She creates with whimsy and unusual elements to capture life’s adventures.
Ann Edall-Robson’s passion for her western heritage, traditions and lifestyle is evident in her creative pursuits. Her published books include selections the whole family can enjoy. She is the author of the From Our Home to Yours cookbooks, Barn Cat Buttons children’s books, and the Brandi Westeron Mystery series.
12. Afshan Khan and Tandy Balson
Afshan Khan is a self-taught visual artist from Rockyview County, AB. Painting for nearly a decade, she discovered art during a difficult time and found healing through creativity. Recently exploring Impressionism, Afshan embraces freedom in her work, finding joy and resilience in her evolving artistic journey.
Tandy Balson is a writer and speaker whose goal is to encourage and inspire through her written and spoken words. She has recently embraced travel adventures and looks forward to sharing those with her followers. Find out about her books, blog and more at www.timewithtandy.com.
13. Megan Ellahi and Lorraine Janzen
Megan Ellahi, an acrylic on canvas artist in Airdrie Alberta, originally from Ontario, finds inspiration in Alberta landscapes and mountains. Married with 3 daughters, she resumed painting while awaiting a lung transplant. She enjoys doing commissions. Follow her on Instagram as @rose.brushed.
Lorraine has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. Her favourite genre is poetry, and her topics tend to be about nature, country life and historical fiction with multiple timelines. She published her first children’s rhyming picture book titled Gracie’s Playful, Dusty Day, in 2023.
Learn more about Voice & Vision 2025 at: facebook.com/voiceandvisionairdrie
