Meet Our Team

Passionate about art education

Diana

DIANA DIDRIKSON (MSc, SLP)
OWNER & STUDIO MANAGER

Diana became the owner of Aliki’s Art House in 2012 after experiencing the life-changing impact of art for herself as a student and for her family as a parent.

Trained as a Speech-Language Pathologist at the University of British Columbia, she brings a strong knowledge base of right and left-brain functioning, including the value of using art and drawing to enhance self expression, thinking, problem-solving and learning. She enjoyed much success and fulfillment when she specialized in neurological communication disorders for almost 15 years in both public and private practice. She remains connected to her professional community by hosting fundraisers and integrating students with aphasia or other disabilities into classes and camps.

Diana gained valuable entrepreneurial, leadership and team-building skills through her involvement in numerous non-profit initiatives in her profession and community. Diana’s caring nature coupled with her leadership skills, dedicated work ethic and educational background is a perfect fit with Aliki’s mission of delivering superior quality art education with exceptional customer service. She enjoys operating the art studio located in the quaint neighbourhood where she lives with her husband and 4 children.  

ShanonFitzgerald

SHANON FITZGERALD (BFA)

Shanon is passionate about creating meaningful experiences where students have the chance to find a sense of belonging and explore their creativity. She has a heart for community and bringing people together through creative play and self expression. Shanon’s teaching reflects how she approaches life through the lens of respect, inclusivity, acceptance, humility, curiosity and honesty.

In her art practice, her work is deeply informed by various theological perspectives. She is currently exploring themes of interconnectedness and ephemerality using mixed media and acrylic paint.

Alesha

Alesha Buczny Brown (BFA)

Alesha was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and grew up in beautiful British Columbia. Her path along art education began with a Jewelry and Metals Diploma Program in the basement of the Vancouver Community College. From there, she came back to Alberta to further her studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree, Major in Jewelry and Metals. 

Alesha is best known for her jewelry, ornamental sculptures and mixed media paintings. She uses many different mediums and found objects to express herself.  Everything from pottery, paintings, metals, organic materials like dried roots and dried vines from her garden, and has discovered a new love for the fiber arts. Alesha’s creations deliver organic structures with a heavy influence of the invaluable existence of beauty and the hidden destruction that follows. 

Alesha’s work has been shown in many exhibitions in Alberta.  She has shared her art and talent in a range of community initiatives and volunteer activities including the Visions & Voices project, Garage Art Gang and as a guest artist at Nose Creek Elementary School, Airdrie, Alberta.

Deborah bio photo

DEBORAH LAWTON (BFA)

Deborah Lawton (B.F.A.) studied art at the Alberta College of Art (1982) and also at the University of Calgary. It was here that she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture (1988). She also studied Costume and Set Design at the U of C.

As a sculptor, Deborah has exhibited her sculptures in several locations in Alberta and private collections in Western Canada. She is passionate about sharing the love of art with her community. She encourages fellow artists to pursue their talent and has been teaching Fine Art in Alberta since 1985. Deborah loves to ignite the potential of young artists and it is this desire that led her, in 2005, to teach for Airdrie Kiononia Christian School as the Sr. Drama and Fine Art instructor. 

Active also in the theatrical community, she has designed and constructed costumes and sets for several local theatrical productions. Since 1999, she has worked for the Canadian Badlands Passion Play primarily in the wardrobe department and has filled the role as the Production Designer.

As the owner of Art Branch Studio Deborah is also able to ‘branch out’ into the many areas of her creativity (sculpture, teaching, graphic design, custom jewelry and clothing). She lives with her husband, Jim and has 2 adult children, Linnea and Bryson.

PENNY ATKINS

Penny Atkins is an artist and teacher who has a passion for witnessing students learn and grow through
artistic expression.

Early on Penny was deeply influenced by famous artist Modigliani. This led to a love of abstract
portraiture and a deep appreciation for colour theory.
Using chalk pastel, she draws portraits of people and pets. Painting brightly coloured, whimsical landscapes in acrylic medium is Penny’s specialty.

As a member of Voice and Vision, Penny’s work has been featured in Voice and Vision magazine as well
as Airdrie Life Magazine.

Having used art therapy as a connection tool in bridging gaps for those with cognitive issues, Penny has
discovered a calling. To further pursue this calling, she is currently studying for certification in art
therapy. Penny’s main goal is to inspire joy, confidence and connection in her teaching!

Alice

ALICE (ALIKI) SIROUNIS (BEd, HH Dip (A.Th.) Aus, Visual Artist)

Alice began her career as a classroom teacher and has been an art educator for over 35 years. She founded Aliki’s Art House in 1991 and created a 7-Step-System that teaches anyone how to draw. An entrepreneur at heart, she continued her second business, Aliki’s Art in Mind, while living in Brisbane, Australia. 

Alice has taught in several countries, published a book, & exhibited her work in collections throughout Canada, Europe & Australia. She is most passionate about watching what happens when a client has an epiphany. That “aha” moment never gets old. Aliki continues to help people through Art Mindfulness, creating a safe space where art becomes the vehicle for connecting to self and others and where people are seen and heard.

When Alice isn’t working, she is spending time living in the moment with loved ones, preferably near water. Dancing or having coffee, sometimes even over Skype. 

Questions? Reach out to us