MEDIA RELEASE RE MY LATEST VENTURE ARTWRK.CA

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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ARTWRK/ founders Alissa Sexton, Laura White and Eda Brown have sold the company to artists Aggie Armstrong and Katie Rodgers.

ARTWRK/ opened in 2020 as an online gallery to provide talented artists a place to showcase their work. Aggie and Katie, who were both featured artists on Artwrk.ca are now introduced as the new owners of the company, which will continue to feature artists across Canada and the United States, starting September 2024.

Toronto, ON – September 10, 2024
Since launching during the challenging days of the COVID lockdowns in 2020, Artwrk has been a beacon of hope for artists needing a space to exhibit their work and connect with art lovers around the world. As of August 15th, 2024, the gallery has been transitioning from original co-founders Alissa Sexton, Laura White and Eda Brown to its new ownership, Aggie Armstrong and Katherine (Katie) Rodgers. These two individuals have not only exhibited and sold their own work on the platform, but they've also been enthusiastic members of the company’s tight artist community. Both Aggie and Katie share Artwrk’s vision of providing a supportive, accessible space for artists to showcase their talent. As artists themselves, they understand the unique challenges and opportunities of exhibiting online and are eager to carry forward the values and mission that Alissa, Laura and Eda have built together.
“Rest assured, the core of Artwrk remains unchanged”, said Alissa Sexton, art curator and Artwrk founder. “Our mission to elevate artists' work and create meaningful connections between artists and collectors is as strong as ever. Aggie and Katie are very committed to maintaining this vision, and their fresh ideas and passion will only help Artwrk grow stronger.”

In the days ahead, there are many exciting plans for upcoming exhibitions and new ways to support emerging artists. Artwrk’s founders and current owners are working together on improving the platform to make it even easier for artists to showcase their art, reach new audiences, and thrive as part of this community.

“Thank you for being such an integral part of Artwrk. I am confident that under Aggie and Katie's leadership, the gallery will continue to flourish, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for all of us. With warmest regards from your Artwrk founders, Alissa, Laura & Eda”, Sexton states.

For more information about Artwrk/ co-founder & artist, Eda Brown, visit: edabrown.com

About Katie Rodgers: Katherine (Katie) Rodgers, CPA, CMA was the co-owner of a healthy meal delivery company (with fresh grab-and-go cafes) from 2003-2012. Since then, she has applied her skills in business development, accounting, strategic planning, and marketing services for organizations operating across several industries (including modular construction, forestry, property management, food services, and Indigenous housing). Katie backs her experience up with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph and a Certified Management Accountants designation.

Katie has been experimenting with acrylics for several years, independently and in workshops to develop her artistic practice. The paintings suggest atmosphere and emotions associated with specific locales, both in traditional landscape and abstract style. Katie is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a member of North Van Arts and the West Vancouver Community Arts Council. Recent exhibitions include the Ferry Building and Silk Purse Galleries in West Vancouver. Katie is serving as Treasurer for the Board of Directors of North Van Arts and currently lives with her twin boys in North Vancouver, BC.

For more information about Katie and her works, please visit: katierodgers.ca

About Aggie Armstrong: Known for multimedia work that explores various states of female consciousness, Aggie Armstrong’s work serves as a record of her feelings and memories of being raised as a Third Culture Kid/Individual, and her own intersectional female experience. By combining clever compositions, hand-stitched embroidery, and vivid colours, her audience is attracted to the punchy canvases immediately, and encouraged to think beyond their initial impressions to a deeper meaning of the work.

Aggie was commissioned to do the poster for Canada’s The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November 2023 held at the Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario. She has shown her work at The Artist Project Toronto from 2022-2024, and has been asked to come back in 2025. She has several solo exhibitions coming up in Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 in Toronto, to be announced at a later date.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Aggie moved to Ontario, Canada at age 18 and received her BA in Fine Arts at Western University in London, Ontario. She currently resides in Oxford County, Ontario as a full-time artist and creative entrepreneur.

For more information about Aggie and her works, please visit: aggiearmstrong.com

About Alissa Sexton: Following formal education in Art History & Social Psychology (University of Guelph) and Museum Curatorship (Fleming College), Alissa joined Canada’s longest-running contemporary gallery in Toronto (2005) to work with dozens of professional artists of every career level. Alissa left Bau-Xi Gallery as the Co-Director in 2017 to pursue direct artist consulting and mentorship.
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For more information about Alissa please visit: alissasexton.com