Winter 2026 Election Candidates
Vote between March 23rd - 28th at www.auarts-sa.ca/governance#vote!
Executive Committe (EC)
President - Thea Galang (they/she)
I am Thea Galang, a multidisciplinary artist working across performance, installation, and socially engaged practices, with a focus on food, memory, accessibility, and collective experience. Currently, I’m in my third year at AUArts as a Sculpture Student, with my current work being rooted in care, community-building, and critical dialogue, values that directly inform my leadership approach.
I am running for AUArts SA President because I am passionate about advocating for students and strengthening transparency, accessibility, and communication within our institution. I believe student leadership should be grounded in listening, accountability, and action, and I am committed to representing diverse student voices while working collaboratively with faculty and administration.
At AUArts, I am actively engaged in research-driven studio practice, exhibitions, and community-based projects that prioritize inclusion and equity. My involvement across academic, exhibition, and student-led spaces has given me a strong understanding of both student needs and institutional processes.
As President, I aim to expand mental health and academic support initiatives, improve accessibility across campus spaces and programming, and strengthen student engagement through events, funding advocacy, and clearer communication. My goal is to cultivate a supportive, transparent, and empowered student community where all voices feel valued and heard!!! 🐖🪽
Vice President of Academic Affairs - TaLeesha Mahe (they/she)
My name is TaLeesha, and I am a 3rd year Glass Major. I am known within the AUArts community for my photography practice and my interest in visual culture theory, documentation, and material process. My work explores intention, interpretation, and the relationship between structure and experimentation in studio practice.
I am interested in Academic Affairs because I care deeply about how academic policy, curriculum, and institutional communication shape student experience. As someone who works between hands-on material exploration and theory, I understand how important clarity, transparency, and thoughtful dialogue are to student success. Academic structures directly affect how students learn, create, and position themselves within their disciplines.
At AUArts, I am currently on the 2025–26 Glass Student Leadership Council representative, which has strengthened my understanding of peer advocacy and departmental communication. In this position, I am interested in improving academic communication, strengthening feedback systems, and supporting rigorous, transparent studio-based learning environments that help students feel both challenged and supported.
Vice President of External Relations - Enzo Amogan (he/him)
My name is Enzo Amogan, BFA of painting with a minor in animation and current painting representative for SLC. My goal of running for External Affairs officer is to bridge the gap between issues that affect the student body with open and transparent communication. Unfortunately a lot of pertinent issues do not reach the average student, (E.g Our debacle with the Canadian Federation of Students). The more informed we are the more power we as a united entity hold. So I urge those of you who have not been accessed to give me the chance to show you how much more impactful your voices can be.
Vice President of Student Life - Evan Palmer (they/them)
Hello everyone,
My name is Evan, and I’m the current Vice President of Student Life for the 25/26 academic year with the AUArts Students’ Association.
During my time as VPSL, I’ve worked closely with members of the SA to present students with events that benefit their health and wellness like Snack Booths, Sexy Bingo, Community Fair, and Puppy Rooms. Additionally, I’ve partnered with external organizations to offer beneficial opportunities at our institution, such as the Packed with Purpose Campaign with Country Harvest, and learning about LGBTQ+ focused sex education with CCASA during Sexy Bingo.
If reelected, it’s my goal to continue fostering these free opportunities for students and keep developing and prioritizing accessibility and diverse events on campus. I’ve strategically utilized funding alongside the SA’s Programs Director and am hoping to offer more of these experiences like Sexy Bingo and Snack Booths for AUArts’ students if reelected. Students have given me meaningful feedback as VPSL, and I’m developing ways for you to easily communicate what you’d like to see on campus moving forward.
School of Communication Design (SCD)
Animation - Justine Pozon (they/she)
Hi everyone! My name is Justine Pozon, and I’m running to be your very first Animation Department Rep! I’m currently in my third year of Character Design & Illustration with a minor in Animation, and I’m passionate about making sure the voices of our growing animation department are heard and that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Last year, my animated short film Con Fretta! (created in ANIM.200) was selected for Festival du Nouveau and GIRAF 21. I love animation deeply, and I understand the unique challenges animation students face. If elected, I will make sure our concerns are heard.
My priorities will include:
- Advocating for a 24/7 animation technician as we have had in the past; many animation students face project-ruining technical issues that could have been entirely avoided.
- Maintenance and expansions of course structure; many integral courses have been removed or nearly removed from the curriculum. As a new concentration, we should be adding to our offerings, not subtracting. Additionally, animation courses need clearer prerequisites and ladderability, so professors do not need to reteach fundamentals.
- Better resources; this goes hand-in-hand with technician hours. Oftentimes, computers and/or tablets in the lab are dysfunctional, leaving the few stations constantly booked.
This is the first time the animation department will have a voice, and I want to work with you all to ensure that this department flourishes and properly supports its budding filmmakers.
Let's get this ball rolling. Vote Justine Pozon for animation rep!
Thank you for your support!
Animation - Ethan Hedivan (he/him)
Hello AUArts Community,
My name is Ethan Hedivan, and I’m running for the position of Animation Representative. I’m currently a 3rd years student drawing major with an animation minor.
I’m passionate about students getting the recourses they need in an institution where the goal is to send them out into the art world with a fully kitted out toolbelt for the industry.
Over the past two years, I’ve been actively involved in the animation side of things in and outside of university, I've been enrolled in animation classes, I've been in galleries, and have done work with the Quickdraw Animation Society here in Calgary. All of which has given me the insight to see the unbridled passion and potential that those interested in animation in this institution have. It's also allowed me and many others in this department to observe that as the student numbers and the popularity of the animation concentration increases, the resources needed for the full experience that should be given in a university concentration, do not. I want to hear what is needed from students and professors alike so we can make the animation department at AUArts something that gives students who are interested in learning animation the fullest educational experience they can receive. I’m committed to being a representative who hears your concerns and acts on them.
If elected, my priorities include:
• Getting more animation equipment for those who work on campus. as of writing this there are more than 100 students enrolled in animation classes per semester, and only 8 workstations within the Animation lab.
• Getting more techs available throughout the week to help students as they work within the anim lab, this school year there has been but 1 tech that has only been on campus able to help 2 days out of the week.
• Giving more of a voice to the student body as well as the faculty in this department about all these concerns.
I believe in the potential of everyone interested in the realm of animation, and I want everyone to have the resources to reach that potential. I want to work with you to build a student government that represents all voices, not just the loudest ones.
Let’s make the animation experience at AUArts better together. Vote Ethan Hedivan for Animation representative.
Thank you for your support!
email: ethan.hedivan@auarts.ca instagram: archive_of_embers
Animation - Victor Matthews (he/him)
Hello!
My name is Victor Matthews and I’m running to be your Animation Rep! I’m currently in second year with dual concentrations in Animation and Painting. I want to help the animation department flourish! You can count on me to advocate for better student support and opportunities.
I’ve been involved with the AUArts animation community before- you might know me as a member of Toon Town, the animation appreciation club. I’m the guy that helps put your animations onto the TV outside room 457! I’m also the founder of Critter Compound, one of the group shows at Gallery Crawl. Outside of the university, I’ve volunteered with The Quickdraw Animation Society, Contemporary Calgary, and Alcove Center for the Arts. I care about this community, and I hope becoming your animation department rep will be my next step in proving that.
If elected, these would be my priorities:
-Encouraging more events for both animation students and the broader school population.
-Increasing resources and information related to external opportunities.
-Building greater learning resources within the school. Think of a greater catalog of films to study from!
Together we can set things in motion! Vote Victor Matthews for Animation Rep!
Thank you for your consideration.
Email: Victor.Matthews@auarts.ca
Instagram: VictorMatthues
Character Design - Rylie Landry (they/she)
Heyo, I'm Rylie, a third year Character Design and Illustration student, and I am running as the Character Design Department Representative . My main interests lie in Comic art and Game Development. I'm the Co-leader of Toon Town, AUarts animation appreciation club, and have helped lead activities and panels associated with the club. Every year, I help run Toon Town's gallery at gallery crawl and set-up for the reformed SCD show. As an SLC member, my goal is to help Character design students gain market experience and opportunities to promote their original work. I'm also interested in being a line of communication between student feedback and the SLC council. I will help provide opportunities for students in the Character Design department to connect with each other. Our friendships and community are essential in a competitive industry! Let’s fill this next year with positive vibes!
Character Design - Eva Ochoa (she/her)
Howdy everyone! 😁 I'm Eva im in BDes character design and Illustration (with comics concentration), I'm in my first year, hopeing to go into comics and character design and that sort of thing. I was on SLC before this as one of the first year representatives and I really enjoyed my time there helping with things like events and making the systems run as smoothly as possible so I thought I'd run again. I'm very passionate about accommodations and support for neurodivergent students and also anyone else who needs them! I'm also an excellent listener and would love to hear your guy's feedback/ideas for me to bring to the table.
School of Craft + Emerging Media (SCEM)
Glass - Acacia Smith-Avendano (she/her
Hi AUarts, my name is Acacia. I’m currently a second year concentrating in Glass and am running for the Glass Student Leadership Representative for the 2026-2027 academic year!
One of the reasons I am so passionate about my glass practice is due to the community aspect and how welcoming it is. As well as how ambiguous of a medium glass is— it encourages individuals to think critically to solve questions about identity and how we understand and interact with the world around us. Glass requires collaboration and attracts amazing creatives with intense passion for their practice, which creates a safe space for all looking to explore and experiment with a new medium. Creating challenges and solving problems with my community forces us all to communicate clearly to solve problems quickly, due to glass being a demanding material.
As a future Glass (SLC) Representative, my goal is to continue maintaining and sharing this welcoming environment that fosters multiple communities to grow together in a safe space where all voices are heard. Alongside maintaining an amazing community and safe environment to grow in, I feel strongly about advocating for student rights and helping students grow into their voices. Areas I take interest in include studio accessibility with safety in mind, department transparency, and ensuring we are getting the most out of our education. I’m committed to being a representative who hears concerns, validates, and then acts on them!
I believe in accountability, communication, community, and inclusivity— and I want to work with you to build a student government that represent all voices, not just the loudest ones!
Let’s make our student experience better together! Vote Acacia for Glass SLC Representative.
Thank you for your support!
Jewellery & Metals - Emilie Larochelle (she/her)
Hello everyone! My name is Emilie, but most people call me Em. I am a 3rd year Jewellery & Metals major. I was the Jewellery & Metals representative during the 2025-2026 school year, and I would love to be the representative again. I enjoyed it, and I feel very confident in my ability to excel in this position again. I am well known in the department, and I basically spend all my time there, which makes it easy for me to be well informed on other jewellery students’ wants and needs. I love helping out my peers, and this position allows me to do so in a really impactful way. Over the last year, I have gathered a lot of experience in collecting complaints/feedback within the department and reporting them to SLC, as well as ensuring that the issues have been looked into. I have also gathered experience in keeping students (and even professors!) in the department informed and up to date on the issues within the department that SLC works to solve.
School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Drawing - Alastar Carnahan (he/they)
Guten tag AUArts Community,
I am Alastar Carnahan, sometimes The Countex, and I’m running for Drawing Representative. I’m a 3rd year Drawing student with a focus on sensual dark fantasy surrealism and storytelling. I’m passionate about fostering community, creating supportive environments, encouraging creative collaboration, and opportunity accessibility.
Over the past 4 years, I’ve been actively involved in an expansive assortment of classes from all programs, which has given me exposure to the interests and concerns of students from all around the school. I’m invested in being a representative who hears your
concerns and acts on them.
If elected, my priorities will include:
• Community – I want to bring people together to create a better sense of community that can share values of joy and euphoria through expression.
• Collaboration – I want to connect the students across programs to foster more intersection between art mediums and create opportunities to grow.
• Accessibility – I will advocate for inclusive exposure opportunities that will allow space for self advocacy regardless of circumstances.
I believe in connection — and I want to work with you to build a student government that represents all voices, loud and timid alike.
Let’s make our student experience better together. Vote Alastar Carnahan for Drawing Representative!
Print - Natalia Kowalczuk (she/her)
Hi AUArts Community,
My name is Natalia Kowalczuk, and I’m running to be the Print Media representative! I’m currently a 3rd/4th year student, and I’m passionate about building a welcoming and safe environment for students, advocating for more accessible resources, fostering diversity and inclusion, and ensuring that AUArts hears all student voices!
Over the past 4 years, I’ve been actively involved in both the AUArts and broader Calgary arts community! I’ve been the co-director of Galerie Gaulin since 2023, volunteered at the Alberta Printmakers society, and served on the selections committee at the Marion Nicoll Gallery.
Additionally, I have experience volunteering at the Calgary Public Library and Storybook Theatre. These opportunities have allowed me to engage deeply with the local arts community, gain valuable experience in organizing exhibitions and events for the AUArts community, and collaborate with a wide variety of artists.
I’m committed to being a representative who hears your concerns and acts on them. If elected, my priorities will include:
• Advocating for more resources for AUArts students, such as easier access to counselling and quicker wait times for appointments at the SAIT clinic.
• Creating more opportunities for students in the local art scene outside of campus, through outreach to the local art scene! Students deserve to have easier access to events, exhibitions, and collaborative projects in Calgary as a whole, not just at the university.
• Bringing more affordable options for students on campus! I will advocate for more food and clothing resources for students, and aim to have more clothing swap events and affordable food on campus!
I want to work with you to build a student government that represents all voices, not just the loudest ones.
Vote Natalia Kowalczuk for Print Media Representative. Thank you for your support!
Sculpture - Abby Wagner (she/her)
Hello everyone!
My name is Abby, and I am running to represent Sculpture and the amazing students who make it home. Sculpture is at the heart of so many practices, and I see it as a way to bring every department in our school into conversation with one another. That’s why I’m seeking re-election for Sculpture Department Representative: to strengthen those connections, expand resources for students, and help build a community that is inclusive and sustainable.
Since becoming a student at AUArts, I’ve co-curated multiple group exhibitions and become a member of Contextural, a fibre-based collective. These experiences have taught me the value of collaboration across disciplines, building supportive networks, and creating spaces where all voices are represented.
If re-elected, my priorities will include:
Working toward a supply grant program to help ease material costs for students
Connecting students with affordable food programs, repair exchanges, and thrift events.
Bringing back Metal Club and improving studio practices for Sculpture majors.
I am committed to advocating for affordability, sustainability, and accessibility within AUArts.Vote Abby for Sculpture Department Representative!
Other
International - Elizaveta Suldina (they/she)
Hello AUArts community!
My name is Elizaveta, and I am a third-year Illustration student with a minor in Comics. I am running for re-election as the SLC Representative for International Studies because I want to continue advocating for stronger support, clearer communication, and meaningful representation for the international student community at AUArts.
As someone who has navigated the challenges of moving to a new country firsthand, I understand how complicated it can be to balance academic work with adapting to unfamiliar systems, culture, and expectations. During my time at AUArts, I have worked closely with students across campus as a Student Ambassador, Show & Sale staff member, student club director and exhibition curator for various shows and galleries. Throughout my term as an SLC representative, I have also served on the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee, and have consistently worked to ensure that international students’ voices and concerns are part of important campus conversations and SLC decisions.
If re-elected, my focus will be on strengthening the visibility and support of international students within the AUArts community. I will advocate for improved access to academic resources, clearer information around financial aid, housing, employment, and immigration processes, and stronger well-being and community support for students adjusting to life in Canada. While facing unique challenges, international students contribute enormously to the vibrant creative culture of AUArts, and I would be honoured to continue supporting, representing, and advocating for our community.