Summary
Lisa Skelding is a Muskoka-based contemporary mixed media artist whose work bridges a 30-year career in couple and trauma therapy with a deep commitment to environmental care. A recent BFA graduate from OCAD University, she works in contemporary mixed-media, using sustainable materials such as beeswax medium, oil pigments, and natural elements.
Her paintings explore the parallels between nervous system regulation and ecological resilience. Through layered, expressive surfaces, Skelding invites viewers to reflect on how the natural world, when protected and respected, nourishes and heals us in return.
Art Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions:
2023-2024 “Adapting” exhibition of 9 paintings, Township of Muskoka Lakes Public Gallery Space, Port Carling, Ontario https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyJTieKLudh_yi2W7w3zwqpV8aA8z-etSQeWkA0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Juried Group ArtExhibitions:
2025 "Art Thread, Global Creative Graduate Showcase", Beauty in Frozen Devastation series 1-5, Calm Place -The Big Loop, Wildfire, and Monster Wave, globalcreativegraduateshowcase.com https://www.artsthread.com/profile/lisa-skelding
2025 " Size Matters" exhibition, A Tidal Wave of Grief, The Great Hall, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario (Co-curated by OCADU artists Veronika Bondarenko & Grace Darakjian)
2025 “Pentimento” exhibition, Calm Place, Ada Slaight Gallery, Toronto, Ontario (Curated by OCADU Mature Student Collective artists, Beata Szwoger-Lettecki and Judith Librach) https://www.instagram.com/lisaskeldingart/p/DFBqSNBP5tu/?img_index=1
2024 “Between Ashes and Dreams” exhibition: Addressing the sociopolitical and economic dimensions of the global climate crisis. SpruceTree Drawing and Traces of a Conversation, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario. (Juried and co-curated by OCAD faculty and artists, Michelle Peraza and Niloo Inalouei) usp=drive_link https://www.canva.com/design/DAGTev2AfDw/1vWkygPAjIepQdTsPi2etw/view?utm_content=DAGTev2AfDw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer
2024 “Bala Plein Air Group” exhibition, Cranberry Maze, September Sparkles I & II, Bala Cranberry Festival, Bala, Ontario (Juried andCo-curated by artists Susan Kitchen and Janet Libke) https://balapleinair.ca/art-exhibition-oct-18-20-2024/
2024 “Come Hang with Me” exhibition, Monster Wave and Wildfires, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario. (Co-curated by OCAD artist Mature Student Collective) https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/come-hang-us-group-exhibition
2024 “Muskoka Arts and Crafts: MAC on Main Autumn Art Crawl” exhibition, Three-Thirty and Skottage Suzies, Bracebridge, Ontario (Curated by NicholeKitchen and MAC artists) https://muskokaartsandcrafts.com/events/muskoka-autumn-art-exhibition/
2024 “Muskoka Chautauqua Festival: Gallery in the Woods 32Auction, Slow Glow paddle Windermere, Ontario https://www.instagram.com/muskokachautauqua/reel/C-YtKP3vpDT/?api=1%2F&hl=zh-cn
2024 “Embodied Narratives: Unveiling the Stories Within” exhibition, Pleasure and Pain, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario. (Juried and Co -curated by OCAD faculty and artists, Niloo Inalouei and Michelle Peraza) https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/embodied-narratives-unveiling-stories-within
2023 “Bala Plein Air Group” exhibition, Huckleberry Guide, Wetlands, Windermere Tree, at Bala Cranberry Festival, Bala, Ontario https://balapleinair.ca/art-exhibition-oct-18-20-2024/
2023 “Pentimento, 2023” exhibition, Happy Fall Brody Aida Slaight Gallery, Toronto, Ontario. (Curated by Mature Student Collective and Jordan Beley, Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, curator, and writer) https://www.ocadu.ca/events/pentimento
2022 “Sheridan College Library: Remote: Art from the Pandemic” exhibition, Disney Classics by Samantha, Oakville, Ontario https://source.sheridancollege.ca/library_exhibits_remote2/
Awards
2024-2025 BMO Sustainability Award in the amount of $1000 CAD On behalf of OCADU’s Global Center for Climate Action
2024 “Bala Cranberry Festival” exhibition, 2024 Award Winner Lisa Skelding, Honourable Mention for Grand Gran Artist-of-the Year https://balapleinair.ca/art-exhibition-oct-18-20-2024/
2022 " Sheridan College" Art Fundamentals Honourable Mention for 2D Award, Oakville, Ontario
Education
1985-Present
2022- June 2025 Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) University, Toronto, Ontario: Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts: Drawing and Painting Program
2024 Muskoka Chautauqua Gallery, OCADU Field Placement Port Carling, Ontario: Mentorship with Program Director and Artist Gayle Dempsey.
2023 Muskoka Chautauqua Gallery, OCADU Field Placement Port Carling, Ontario: Mentorship with Program Director and Artist Gayle Dempsey
2021-2022 Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario: One year Art Fundamentals Certificate.
2010-2020 Oakville Art Society, Oakville, Ontario: Drawing and Painting Courses
1995 University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario: Master of SocialWork (MSW)
1988 Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario: Honours Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
1987 McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (BA)
1985 McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA)
Memberships
Muskoka Arts and Crafts
Oakville Arts Society
Bala Plein Air Painting Group
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSSW reg.# 802258) *Retired
Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist & Supervisor – International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy *Retired
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Canada * Retired
Association of Sex Therapy in Ontario (ASTO formerly BESTCO) * Retired
Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) *Retired
Workshops
2024 Muskoka Chautauqua Summer Festival, Windermere Village, Windermere, Ontario. Visual artist workshops: working with alcohol inks and Beam water colour paints.
2023-present Bala Plein-Air Summer Painting Group: Painting in rural locations throughout Muskoka lakes region.
2023 Muskoka Chautauqua Summer Festival, Windermere Village, Windermere, Ontario. Visual Arts workshops: Silk Screening and working with Mosaic glass and stone.
2010-2020 Oakville Art Society, Oakville, Ontario: Various workshops and 8 week courses in Drawing and Painting.
Personal Certifications
My art practice is predicated on my long-term work in trauma and relationships . This is a sample of my work certifications.
2016 Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Certificate
2015 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Certificate
2012 Approved EFT Supervisor
2010 EMDR Level II Trauma Trained Therapist
2009 Registered Board of Examiners and Sex Therapistsin Ontario (BESTCO)
2008 Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT)
1997 Narrative Therapy certificate
1994 Solution Focused Therapy certificate
Boards/
Advisory Committee
2013-2017 Co-Chair Cancer Care Ontario Community of Partners, Toronto, Ontario
2013-2017 King's Christian Collegiate, Board of Directors, Oakville, Ontario
2012-2014 Peel Children's Aid Foundation , Board of Directors, Mississauga, Ontario
2011-2015 Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) Board of Directors and Chair of CAPO's Education Committee Toronto, Ontario
2006-2009 Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, Board of Directors, Toronto, Ontario
2008-2009 Office of Undergraduate Research Advisory Committee Member, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario