LONDON, ON, February 01, 2023 — After three years as Executive Director of Forest City Gallery (FCG), Teresa Carlesimo will be departing London’s Artist Run Centre (ARC).
As FCG’s sole employee, Teresa worked tirelessly to ensure stability for the Gallery, set ambitious goals for herself and the future of FCG, and has prioritized the ARC’s mandate to support emerging artists and remain current in contemporary Canadian arts practices.
When Teresa accepted the position of Director in early March 2020, she stepped into a new role and into a new city. No amount of experience could have prepared her for the countless unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.Teresa remained creative, collaborative, and flexible to ensure programming and operations were maintained virtually and by snail mail through uncertain times. Although many arts organizations were impacted in significant ways by pandemic-related closures, under Teresa’s leadership, FCG managed to mount numerous exhibitions, launch new and accessible programming, and provide financial support and stability to countless artists. It is not an understatement to say that without Teresa, FCG would likely not be entering its 50th year in such a stable condition.
In addition to her creative approach to programming and community engagement, Teresa’s lasting legacy is marked by the new Forest City Gallery location at 1025 Elias Street in London, Ontario, a space that is nearly four times larger, with custom-built artist studios, and in a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood. Upon entering the position in March 2020, Teresa quickly identified her goal for FCG: that by the time she left the position, the Gallery would be in a new, community-driven space that was worthy of its half century in operation. Between August 2021 and February 2022, Teresa worked tirelessly - and far beyond her job description - to see the space come to life, and in constant collaboration with the Board, maintained a balanced budget, oversaw a nearly $50,000 fundraising campaign, project managed the revitalization of the space, coordinated with volunteers and service providers, and took hammer to nail and paintbrush to wall – all while maintaining the programming schedule.
Teresa’s passion for the arts and emerging artists is undeniable as she served both as Chair of CARFAC Ontario and as the Executive Director of FCG during her time in London. She constantly strives to provide a platform to showcase contemporary artists while ensuring they are paid fairly for their work and contributions. Teresa’s unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of artists has been an inspiration to us all and has helped to shape the future of the Canadian arts landscape. As Teresa moves on to new opportunities, we are grateful for all she has done for our organization and the arts community in London, Ontario. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours and know that Forest City Gallery enters its next 50 years stronger because of the foundation she has helped lay.
The Hiring Committee and FCG’s Board of Directors looks forward to the recruitment process and invites qualified applicants to apply by visiting www.forestcitygallery.com between February 1, 2023 and February 21, 2023.
About the Organization: Forest City Gallery is London, Ontario’s Artist-Run Centre. Encompassing a diverse community of artists, FCG emphasizes creative interplay and the fostering of relationships between artists at all stages of their careers, with a particular emphasis on supporting emerging practices. Founded on the principles of artistic autonomy and a celebration of its regional context, FCG is committed to extending the discourse between established and experimental art forms. FCG advances relevant contemporary practices in visual/media arts, performance, literature, and music among local, regional, national, and international arts communities.
For more information:
Hailey Edge
Forest City Gallery, Board President
Teresa Carlesimo
Forest City Gallery, Gallery Director