Executive Director of Art Windsor Essex to continue leadership
Windsor, ON — On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 12pm Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) held a reception for its staff, board, supporters, partners, and the media to celebrate the continued leadership of Executive Director, Jennifer Matotek. Matotek has recently committed to another five years of leadership at AWE. At the event, Jennifer Matotek shared an exclusive glimpse of what the future holds for AWE under her continued direction.
About Jennifer Matotek
Jennifer Matotek has held the role of Executive Director at Art Windsor-Essex since spring of 2020. Despite taking on the role during a worldwide pandemic, under her leadership, the gallery has achieved record admissions, tripled memberships, and significantly increased donations. Her vision for the gallery came to life through a strategic plan focused on the pillars of transformation, creating conversations, education, engagement, and stewardship. This approach led to numerous new community partnerships, increased support from public and private funders, and new public art initiatives.
In 2022, Jennifer led a rebrand of the gallery, ultimately redefining its role the community and shifting public perceptions about inclusivity, with a focus on creating a gallery that was community-driven, and person-centered.
Matotek has an extensive background in arts administration and curation, having previously worked at the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery in Toronto. Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in Art History from York University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business.
- QUOTES FROM THE COMMUNITY -
“Bill and I have been so thrilled by the changes to the gallery that Jennifer has created. AWE is now an exciting place where people of all ages and backgrounds want to be. The exhibits speak to everyone! The atmosphere is welcoming and engaging. Jennifer has made such a positive change in such a short time. We look forward to the future under her leadership.”
— Rochelle Tepperman, The Bill and Rochelle Tepperman Foundation
“Jennifer “met the moment” when she joined AWE and much of its success can be directly attributed to her pragmatic, thoughtful leadership.”
— Vincent Georgie, Executive Director of the Windsor International Film Festival
“We’re lucky! When a breath of fresh air breezes through the door, we hope it’s spring…right? But who knew that breeze would be a whole person! Jennifer, thank-you; your insight and guidance have inspired and reinvested in a community — can’t wait for what’s to come!”
— Talysha Bujold-Abu, Artist and Educator
Read the article here: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/downtown-renewal-top-priority-for-art-windsor-essexs-leader-over-next-five-years
