Meet the heart of White Canvas Community
Discover the passionate individuals who drive White Canvas Community. Our team is dedicated to fostering connection, belonging, and shared artistic experiences for women in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and beyond. We invite you to learn more about the visionaries behind our inclusive and creative space.
Our founder: Elena Kolnik
With over 20 years of experience in mental health care, counseling, and art therapy, Elena brings a deep understanding of the emotional and relational power of creative expression. Her professional and volunteer work has included private practice as well as roles within respected organizations such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Hope House Hospice.
Throughout her career, she has worked alongside individuals navigating complex life transitions, grief, healing, and personal growth. These experiences have grounded her in the importance of presence, empathy, and creating spaces where people feel seen and supported.
She has been fortunate to collaborate with remarkable colleagues and communities who have shaped her understanding of care, resilience, and the transformative role of art in human connection.
White Canvas Community was born from this foundation as a desire to create intentional creative spaces where women can gather, express themselves, and experience belonging through shared artistic practice.
Our Art-Curator: Victoria Ermakov
Victoria Ermakov is an artist, art curator, educator, and researcher who sees art as a space for connection, reflection, belonging, and personal growth. Victoria holds a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of Toronto, where she focused on modern and contemporary art and its role within social and cultural conversations. Her academic work has been recognized for its originality, strong research, and thoughtful analysis. These qualities continue to shape how she approaches exhibitions and artists within community-cantered spaces.
Her experience brings together academic insight and real-world collaboration. Victoria has contributed to cultural and curatorial projects across museums, public programs, and independent art spaces throughout GTA and York Region, including research support for the City of Markham’s Becoming Public Art summit. She has assisted with exhibition preparation, artist research, educational programming, and community-facing initiatives to foster dialog and accessibility.
Victoria is also an art educator who has taught students of different ages and backgrounds. She designs lessons inspired by major artists and movements, encouraging curiosity, confidence, self-expression, and creative exploration. She is currently involved with educational programming at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, guiding visitors and young artists through engaging experiences with Canadian art.
Her curatorial approach is thoughtful, intuitive, and people-centered. She believes exhibitions should do more than display artwork - they should create space for conversation, shared experience, reflection and meaningful connection, especially for women whose voices and lived experiences deserve visibility. Having navigated major personal transitions herself, she brings empathy, resilience, and authenticity to her work, seeing art as a language that helps people reconnect with themselves and with one another.
Victoria brings together research, curatorial vision, and a genuine commitment to community to help shape artistic spaces that feel welcoming, meaningful, intentional and alive.
Together, building a vibrant community
At White Canvas Community, our team collaborates seamlessly to weave the fabric of an inclusive, creative, and caring space. We believe that by combining our individual strengths and shared vision, we can create an environment where every woman feels valued and inspired. From organizing engaging workshops to curating impactful exhibits, our collective effort ensures a welcoming atmosphere where creativity fosters connection and growth.