Our Team and Our Vision

 The Dundee Artisan Festival is a collaborative initiative rooted in community, craftsmanship, and intergenerational creativity. At the heart of this work is Rosemary Arthurs—artist, educator, and founder of both the festival and New Dundee Pottery. Rosemary has spent decades cultivating spaces where people can connect through making. Her leadership in founding the Dundee Artisan Festival reflects this same ethos: to celebrate traditional craft, foster joy, and create opportunities for artists of all ages to share their work and stories.

As the lead organizer of the festival, Jeanette Hedley brings a complementary background in arts education, program coordination, and community engagement. She specializes in building inclusive, values-driven initiatives that empower creators and connect communities. She’s particularly passionate about creating platforms where emerging and established artists can thrive together.

Jeanette’s role in the festival focuses on strategic planning, partnership development, and program design. She works closely with Rosemary and our committee of local artists to ensure that the festival remains true to its roots while continuing to grow in reach and impact. 

The Dundee Artisan Festival is not just a project—it’s a reflection of our shared values: creativity, community, and care.

As we strive to motivate our youth to take an interest in a craft that can bring themselves and others joy, we have invited art students from Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School to showcase their talents at this years festival.