Our Team

Lori’s work with the Centre began in the winter of 2009 as Marketing Manager where she worked with Centre staff to build the profile of the organization and the Cape Breton craft sector.

Now as Executive Director, Lori plans to continue to make Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design and the Cape Breton craft sector globally known.

After 3+ years of experimenting with a variety of craft courses and workshops, Lori has accepted that she is a “collector” rather than a maker…which is probably better for the creative economy anyway!

Diane joined the staff of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design back in 1989 when it was still known as the Cape Breton School of Crafts. Her job has evolved greatly over the years and as a long time employee, her duties are varied and include committee work, financial responsibilities, organizing courses and workshops and supporting other staff in the day to day operation of the Centre. It is often said that Diane is the glue that holds all the different departments of the Centre together.

Working in a not for profit organization has its challenges, but the biggest pleasure Diane gets from her job is the daily interaction with the many people who visit the Centre. The members, the volunteers and the other staff make coming to work every day a pleasure. Their dedication and commitment to the organization is inspiring.

When the 9 to 5 day is through, Diane can most often be found weaving at her loom. However, as an aspiring knitter, occasionally she can be found mumbling and fumbling with a pair of knitting needles and a ball of yarn.

Tammy Sophocleous-MacDonald began working for Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design in 2007 following her Business & Information Technologies course at NSCC. Over the course of her fifteen years with the organization she has worked tirelessly to support the robust network of jewellers, beaders, rug hookers, ceramicists and visual artists who frequent the studios for classes and workshops – eventually, the title of Craft Education & Membership Coordinator was created to communicate her expertise more clearly. Additionally, Sophocleous-MacDonald supports the registration for camps and classes, ensuring the continued financial support for local makers through the Centre’s paid programs, and personally establishing meaningful connections with members and volunteers.  

Her extensive experience makes Sophocleous-MacDonald uniquely able to anticipate the needs and requirements of the sizable and enthusiastic local craft community.  

Elizabeth joined the team at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design in 2013 after completing the Master of Public Relations program at Mount Saint Vincent University. Previous to that, Elizabeth graduated from the Mount with a Bachelor of Public Relations and Certificate in Marketing.

Elizabeth appreciates the creativity, dedication, and hard work demonstrated by the artisans that are represented in the Gallery Shop, in addition to the artisan studios around our beautiful island. As Marketing Manager, Elizabeth aims to promote the profile and prominence of the Cape Breton craft industry – not only locally, but also regionally, nationally and internationally.

Sharon is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for creativity and people who create. She is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Business and Tourism Program and Keyano College Visual and Performing Arts Program, with ongoing education in fiber arts and printmaking.

As a maker with her own artistic practice, Sharon is keenly aware of the needs of creative entrepreneurs and the support systems needed for their success. Having grown up in Cape Breton, she is excited to be supporting growth in the creative economy on the Island.

Adrienne Gasior holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, where she focused on painting and sculpture, cultivating a deep connection to process-based creative work. In 2012, Adrienne settled in Inverness County to start a small-scale organic farm, selling a mix of vegetables at the Mabou Farmers’ Market. For over a decade, she has approached farming as an extension of her artistic practice—creative, hands-on, and rooted in observation and care.

At the Centre, Adrienne supports environmentally engaged programming and facilitates connections between craft, ecology, and community. She currently coordinates the Ground Rules residency in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where artists explore the theme Future Proofing a World of Care through immersive, place-based practice.

Rhonda Ferguson works at the intersection of craft, agriculture, and social justice research. She joined Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design to explore small-scale wool and fibre production in Unama’ki and her research interests include food and material security, producer livelihoods, localization, and their implications for craft, particularly, textile and fibre-based craft.

Rhonda was born on “where the three roads meet” in N’Swakamok (Sudbury). She has a doctoral degree in International Human Rights Law (Irish Centre for Human Rights at Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) and a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities (Laurentian University). Her academic work has focused on socio-economic rights, small-scale farming, and trade through critical theoretical lenses. Her creative interests are nurtured through ongoing learning at NSCAD (Textiles) and previously, OCAD (Material Art and Design: Textiles).

Merrideth has been working part time in Cape Breton’s craft sector for almost 25 years. Working for multiple shop owners and makers, she is familiar with many of the established and upcoming artisans and is always looking forward to seeing what people are creating. She loves being able to share her knowledge of Cape Breton artists with the public and takes great pride in living and working on this creative island.

Outside of her gallery position, she has a studio locally where she makes her collage pieces and works on other artistic and educational projects. As a former school library technician and pack rat, her space is filled with old books and magazines and found objects destined for future creative use. In her life outside of work and studio, you will find her volunteering and fostering at the animal shelter.

ChiChi joined the Unama’ki – Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design team during the summer of 2023 in the very rewarding position of Day Camp Coordinator. Now in the position of Gallery Shop Assistant, she enjoys being surrounded by all the unique pieces produced by the talented makers on the Island. “I’m so grateful for all the different mediums of art that I’ve been introduced to through working here” says ChiChi. In her free time ChiChi can mostly be found knitting wearable items or sometimes performing in stage plays.