Jim practiced law in Calgary for 40 years and was a sessional instructor at University of Calgary for 25 years. He has served on the Board of Directors for Calgary Legal Guidance, the Alberta Science Centre Society, as well as the Rideau-Roxboro Community Association. He is currently a facilitator and presenter for the Calgary Association of Life Long Learners and a founding member of the “Dabblers” art group.

Darryl has been a neighbor of the Leighton Centre for nearly 20 years. He has always admired the confluence of arts, education and the environment the Centre provides and was happy that all three of his children got to experience it both via school and attending summer camp. Landscaping is his form of art and this former oil and gas executive can often be seen having a blast grooming the grounds on his tractor.

Jody is an IT professional with 30+ years experience managing software development and implementation projects for numerous organizations. She's a long time Foothills resident, alumni of Millarville School and LAC field trips, and brings her extensive years of volunteer service to several Calgary organizations including Emergency Room Wayfinder at South Health Campus, Association of Change Management Professionals, and Children’s International Summer Village. Jody's art experience comes mostly in the fibre arts and like a lot of fibre artists, she has too much fibre for the storage space available. She is excited about working with and contributing to the Leighton Art Centre in this time of growth and change.

As a university student, Melissa found herself working in the basement of the Leighton Art Centre, which turned into a further five years of projects. During those early years, Melissa joked with colleagues that once involved with the LAC you could never leave. She did leave, however, to earn an MA in Art History and work at the National Portrait Gallery in London, England. Upon finishing her education Melissa immersed herself in the Calgary arts community. She has worked with the Okotoks Art Gallery, Heffel Fine Art Auction House and is now with the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation and Loch Gallery. As predicted by her younger self, Melissa soon returned to LAC—first as a visitor, then as a volunteer, and finally, as a board member.

Jim Critchley retired as a junior high/elementary school principal in 2006. Since then he has started a financial services brokerage, which he still operates. His experience as a teacher, administrator, business owner, and biologist serves the Leighton community as a board member, volunteer, nature educator/ workshop leader, and bird ecologist/researcher. He has offered workshops on animal tracks, insects, birding, nest box building and the night sky. Jim serves on the Facilities committee (chair) and the ad hoc personnel hiring team.

Jodi has nearly three decades of experience in media, communications and marketing, almost all within the non-profit sector. She currently supports fundraising efforts at SAIT as a Prospect Researcher (for something completely different) and was honoured to be invited to join the Board of the Leighton Centre in 2022. Jodi first visited the LAC as child and was transfixed by the beauty of the area and the dedication to arts and artists. It took a long time before she was reacquainted with the LAC but now Jodi is an active volunteer and arts supporter. Her passions include travel, reading, experimenting with art (painting, linocut, fabrics and more), renovating her house and attempting to garden. She may even be known to crochet a blanket or two, as long as nobody cares if it’s perfectly square.

James has had a 35+ year career in commercial real estate with several national companies, mainly focused on development and asset management. He has served on the Board of the Calgary Airport Authority, as well as other entities. James discovered the Leighton Art Centre shortly after moving to Calgary with his family in 1995, and has been a regular, admiring visitor over the years. Together with his visual artist wife, James takes a strong interest in the wide world of the arts.

Allison is a strategic engagement professional with over 12 years’ experience designing, planning, and facilitating engagement projects across Canada. Her work takes a co-design and relational approach to address complex challenges in economic inclusion, community development, Indigenous relations, and strategic planning. She holds a MSc Management from London Business School and BScH from Queen’s University. Allison is also an avid writer, and artist whose work explores themes of nature, community, motherhood, and family. Allison has worked with the Haida Gwaii Museum, the Haida Gwaii Arts Council and Literacy Haida Gwaii. It was during her time living on Haida Gwaii that she learned the vital role a thriving rural arts ecosystem can have in community well-being. Allison lives in beautiful Bragg Creek with her family and is excited to contribute to the Leighton Art Center as a Board member.

Dirk van Wyk received his MA in Fine Arts, with a major in drawing, from the University of Calgary in 1970. He has been teaching drawing, design, printmaking, visual communication, illustration, painting, and book binding since that time, in Calgary and the Middle East. He has a strong private studio practice and has done commercial and commission work for individuals and corporations across Canada. His work is in private and public collections, and he has participated in solo and group exhibitions locally, nationally and internationally. He has integrated learning and practice in many disciplines and continues to explore innovative methods for teaching and expression.

Grant Waddell is a fine art photographer, digital illustrator, and painter. He attended the Alberta College of Art from 1982-1988 as a photography major and after graduating, moved to Vancouver to pursue a career in commercial advertising. Upon his return to Calgary in 2005, Grant continued in the world of advertising until 2012 when he decided to stoke the fires of his creative roots and begin to develop his fine art. Leighton Art Centre has been an important part of Grant’s life back here in Calgary where he has been an active volunteer and exhibiting artist.