Ted Strauss is a filmmaker, artist, techie, singer, cook, and person who thinks too much about way too many things. With all the strangeness of life in 2017, Ted believes that communication between people -understanding, empathy, & empowerment- is at the core of every problem.

Colleen is a freelance journalist who writes about food, science and the environment. She teaches the workshop ‘Write like a pro’ at Surplace.

Marianne is a researcher, analyst, copywriter and part-time poet. She works with Surplace on business development, project management and translation. She specializes in cultural and social impact projects.

Claire is a learning experience designer who uses illustration, vibrant presentations, and group facilitation to help organisations nurture their creative culture and get their message across.

Anna is a graphic designer, illustrator and researcher. She teaches the graphic design workshop at Sur Place.

Nonprofit communications strategist, co-op enthusiast and dog lover.

Chelsey brings extensive experience as a project manager with creative agencies to help Sur Place deliver value to our freelancers and clients.

Lolo’s practice includes illustration in wet and dry media, silkscreening, lino-cut, hand lettering, sign painting, stencil-making and graphic design for both grassroots groups and questionable food production companies.

Pascal is an animator, podcast producer, workshop leader, youth facilitator, and multi-disciplinary artist extraordinaire.

Richard is an artistic manager with over 30 years of experience in the performing arts, working with some of the worlds top presenters.

François shoots, edits, and produces video. Self taught and hardened in the high-pressure Vancouver film industry, he can handle a range of complex production scenarios.

Paul has over twenty years experience as a one-man-band videojournalist, exposing social injustices and giving voice to the voiceless. With Surplace, Paul leads workshops on video production and independent journalism.

John Jacob is a prolific musician, sound designer, video creator, event planner, and all around party bringer.

Lateef is an illustrator, designer, concept artist, & storyboard artist with a taste for video games, comics, sci-fi and 80s Saturday morning cartoons.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Damaris is a filmmaker, animator, radio producer, musician, and choir leader. Damaris also does healing practices with voices, resonating bowls, and the body.

Natasha is a hard working photog, ready for a wide range of shooting scenarios. She is also developing a documentary on the culinary history of Bangladesh.

With a foundation of painting and murals Bronwen’s work also extends into photography, design/illustration, large-scale puppets, and sets and props within tv/film and theatre productions.  This multi-disciplinary practice also extends into teaching and facilitation and is woven together with themes of embodiment, agency and connection.

Hannah does graphic design and illustration work in the areas of branding + logo, booklet, packaging, information design, textile design and art direction. Hannah see a future where the human environment is closer to the joy, peace and whimsy of the natural world.

Anna is an acclaimed writer & commentator, who plays an active part in Montreal’s literary community. At Surplace, Anna leads creative writing workshops.

Matthieu is an expert in organizational development, service design, game design, empowerment through art practice, youth intervention, social innovation and event planning. He uses these skills to bring meaning into change projects, and to improve entrepreneurial impacts through educational intervention and collaborative facilitation.

Nico brews visual refreshments in analog and digital: live projected visuals (Jitter), graphic design, illustration, video and motion design.

Isaac is an artist and illustrator who makes beautiful weird stuff.