THE 2026 FALL FESTIVAL JURORS
Julia Veenstra and Liza Zhurkovsakaya
Julia Veenstra
Julia Veenstra is a renowned Canadian artist and entrepreneur known for her lively composition and vibrant use of colour. Having lived in various countries through her life, Julia incorporates diverse influences into her impressionistic and representational style—it’s no surprise, then, that her work is found in collections across the globe.
Julia’s artistic journey has led her to focus on capturing the vivid landscapes of her native Canada, for which she has gained national recognition, including a feature on the coveted Royal Winter Fair poster. As an entrepreneur, she’s made a significant impact on thousands of artists and collectors worldwide through initiatives like Square Foot Show, Artlabel, and her new gallery, Crown and Press. You can often find Julia in her studio, a converted garage, at her home on Beach Boulevard in Hamilton.
Liza Zhurkovskaya
Liza Zhurkovskaya, known as Curator on the Go, is a Toronto-based curator, art advisor, and founder of Kefi Art Gallery.
Active in the art world since 2015, she advises private and corporate clients on acquiring contemporary art and building meaningful collections. Through her curatorial practice, she champions both emerging and established artists, with a focus on visual storytelling and cultural dialogue. Her clients include UPS Canada, Cadillac Fairview, QuadReal Property Group, WG Psychology, and Danish Pastry House.
A respected voice in the Canadian arts community, she is a sought-after speaker, juror, and the creator and host of the Curator on the Go Podcast, where she engages artists and cultural leaders in conversations around creativity and the evolving role of art. Liza holds an Honours BA in Art History from the University of Toronto and an MFA in Criticism & Curatorial Practice from OCAD University.
Situated in one of the key destination places in the Headwaters Region, the Headwaters Arts group enriches the artistic and cultural footprint within this extended community.
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather, and on which the Region of Peel operates, is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples inhabited and cared for this land. In particular we acknowledge the territory of the Ani-shinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.