MEET THE TEAM
MICHELLE CASOLINO
Centre Manager
Michelle comes to our centre with a passion for bringing people together by cultivating an environment where everyone can fulfill their highest potential through connecting with the people around them. Michelle believes we do this through positive community engagement and by instilling confidence in each other through teamwork, creativity, and respect. “Let’s hold each other in the highest light and watch the magic that unfolds."
With a background in entrepreneurship, she is the perfect fit for our centre. Michelle ran a successful landscape business in Saugeen Shores for 12 years and retired in 2018 to spend more time with her two young children. Having led her own team of 11 staff and 3 crews through summers booked solid with landscape projects, she knows what it takes to build a business from the ground up. Then she worked in the fitness industry as a coach, social media manager, and event planner for an online fitness business until the pandemic occurred. With Michelle’s passion for social media and event planning, these aspects of Southampton Arts Centre will flourish under her care.
Michelle is excited to join the team at Southampton Arts Centre. She says, “It’s truly an honour to be here, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity. I look forward to the most wonderful days ahead!"
You will find Michelle and children, and their dog, Hektor, around town training, fishing, and watching sunsets.
LINDA SPRUCE
Communications & Fund Development
Linda Spruce is a lifelong cottager in Southampton, and has countless happy memories of the beach, the town and of the people who also love this place. When the opportunity arose to make a fresh start, where else to relocate but in Saugeen Shores? Now the trip to the family cottage takes only a few minutes!
Leaving a career at McMaster University, both as a chemical analyst and as an academic advisor, Linda is pleased to be connecting with the artwork and artists at SAC. Creating art through various mediums has always been a part of life for her – painting, jewelry design and knitting are just a few of Linda’s interests. To be surrounded by the ever-changing gallery space and people who share the passion for art is another perk for committing to this community.
In her role addressing communications and fund development for SAC, Linda plans to forge further links and relationships with the greater Saugeen Shores region.
KAREN FRIIS
Gallery Manager
Karen Friis recently sold Southampton’s Duffy’s Fish & Chips to pursue a more art inspired life. She has since found a home at Southampton Arts.
Karen graduated Fashion Design from the Academy of Design in Toronto in 2005. She opened a successful collective shop for Toronto designers, and artists, in the popular Queen West area. After a couple of years in Queen West she found her way to the beautiful shores of Lake Huron.
After 12 years the pandemic took its natural toll on her restaurant business and she found the transition from restaurant owner/operator to gallery manager a natural one. Her background working with designers and artists makes this position ideal. Add to that her decades of experience in business management makes this a perfect match.
Karen Friis now serves as Manager of Southampton Arts. She is thrilled at this exciting opportunity. Karen says “I’m honoured and humbled by the amazing artists in our community. It’s a privilege to be surrounded by their work every day.”
JUDY SUTHERLAND
Gallery Coordinator
The natural beauty and art enriched community led Judy to Saugeen Shores. With an abundance of artistic learning opportunities, she is thrilled to begin her new adventure!
With over 30 years experience in customer service and a lifelong love of art, Judy looks forward to connecting customers with local artist's work.
Come meet Judy at the Southampton Arts Centre!