Our People

cSPACE is led by a small team of dedicated enablers, conveners, animators and collaborators.

single-divider-300×110

{ Office Team }

Our staff develops and manages complex creative hub initiatives, while undertaking the collaborative placemaking and community building that drives innovation.

deeter-schurig-768×576

Deeter Schurig (He/Him)

President + CEO

Bio

Deeter Schurig is a multidisciplinary designer and passionate leader for city-building. His 20 years of professional practice combines experience in stage design, architecture and project management into an approach for designing, developing and managing space for creative communities to thrive.

Deeter leads the social purpose business of cSPACE to build a network of large scale, multidisciplinary creative workspaces. Since 2009, his focus has been to develop the award-winning cSPACE King Edward Arts Hub, a historic sandstone school converted into a LEED Gold facility. Prior experience includes freelance design work on theatre and opera projects across Canada and abroad.

Deeter has a Masters in Architecture from the University of Calgary and a BFA in Theatre Production and Design from York University. A native Calgarian, Deeter resides here with his creatively-infused family and is pleased that cSPACE captures his passion to develop innovative places that are inclusive, equitable, environmentally responsible and excite the imagination of Calgary.

graham-f

Graham Frampton (He/Him)

Operations Manager

Bio

Graham Frampton joins cSPACE as Operations Manager from a long career as a project manager, designer, consultant and educator.

With an MFA Design/Technical Theatre from the School of Creative and Performing Arts, University of Calgary, Graham brings to his role here an extensive background in building new and renovating existing performing arts venues and facilities across Canada. In Calgary, he has consulted on facility, equipment and operational aspects for The Grand, the theatres at the Seton and Rocky Ridge YMCAs, and even the Studio Theatre here at cSPACE Marda Loop.

Graham is a true community builder, having served on many NFP Boards in varying leadership and committee roles, at both a National and Local level. 

Currently he is a Member at Large for BJP (Buckingjam Palace) and practices project management/ strategic design on his garden in his spare time.

Erin MacLean-Berko 2

Erin MacLean-Berko (She/Her)

Event + Engagement Manager

Bio

Erin MacLean-Berko is a community champion who lives for events. She has been Managing Director for the Calgary Boys’ Choir Society and Manager for Spiritus Chamber Choir, and is a classically trained singer. In 2020 Erin was the recipient of the Rozsa Foundation’s Emerging Arts Administrator Award. Simon Mallett, Executive Director for the Rozsa Foundation, describes Erin as “a great community builder, who is always finding ways to support other arts administrators working for smaller organizations.”

Erin is a long time engaged member of the cSPACE community, having joined us initially as a co-worker in our Sandbox space. It was here that Erin learned to love the community at cSPACE, which allowed her networking and social opportunities not available as a freelance contractor working from home.

When not supporting events and pursuing community partnerships at cSPACE, Erin can be found at the Opera, local festivals, and wherever a great local craft beer tent can be found.

Kyle Riege

Kyle Riege (He/Him)

Studio Theatre Manager

Bio

Kyle is excited to be working at cSPACE and continuing his technical work in lighting, sound and broadcast. He is passionate about supporting events to be the best they can be. He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and is also the co-founder of Canadiana Music. He believes in local support for all kinds of art (performance and visual), and works hard to promote local support for local business and entrepreneurs. He is a firm believer in community, family, and being a team player – his favourite adage being “a rising tide lifts all ships.”

When he isn’t working (a rare sight!) he is usually outside in nature exploring the tranquility, peace, and reconnection to human roots. At home, he plays his collection of guitars, and miscellaneous other instruments and hangs out with his cat, Cleocatra.

sean-dennie-768×576

Sean Dennie (He/Him)

Director, Space Development

Bio

Sean is a child of Toronto born in the disco era. He studied International Relations at Carleton University in Ottawa before becoming fascinated with the west.

In 1995 Sean purchased a one-way ticket to Calgary armed with a camera to document his western exploits. Cutting his teeth in Calgary’s gritty punk rock scene of the 90’s, Sean became an award-winning photographer completing hundreds of commercial, editorial and stock campaigns and assignments around the world.

Sean founded Bertrand Crump Property Corp. in 2007; a small, family owned
commercial real estate acquisition and management company and currently manages his family’s portfolio. Occupying the liminal zone between art and real property, Sean has been tasked with developing cSPACE’s Meanwhile Lease Program, which seeks to connect commercial property owners’ holdings with arts and culture groups’ needs on a temporary basis.

nicole-zylstra-768×576

Nicole Zylstra (She/Her)

Communications + Marketing Manager

Bio

Nicole is an experienced communicator, creative problem solver, and collaborative professional dedicated to making a meaningful impact. 

With a background spanning diverse roles in event management, communications, marketing, and corporate facilitation, Nicole is an expert in effective communication, feedback, project management, and relationship building. With a passion for continuous learning, she eagerly embraces new challenges and creative opportunities.

Nicole is a published playwright with a Masters of Fine Arts in Directing for the Theatre. Originally from Montreal and Ontario, she has spent 30+ years as a creative in Calgary, Alberta. Improv and Applied Improv are passions she pursues, having spent many years as a performer, teacher, coach, and facilitator.

Andrew Humphries Micallef

Andrew Humphries-Micallef (He/Him)

Bookkeeper + Office Administrator

Bio

Andrew Humphries-Micallef is a well-rounded Bookkeeper/IT support/Administrator/Accountant. Graduating in 2016 from Queen’s University in Engineering Physics, he has since switched tracks to Accounting where he gets to put his love of spreadsheets and organizing to good use. Andrew has worked in a variety of sectors including non-profit and medical and is eager to put his skills to good use supporting the art community at cSPACE.

When not at work, Andew can be found on the dance floor learning Ballroom, or pursuing his CPA designation.

darrian

Darrian Boyle (He/Him)

Facilities Assistant

Bio

Darrian’s life has been marked by a strong commitment to community. Volunteering with his home town’s fire department (he grew up in Bruderheim) helped him develop handy skills that he is currently utilizing in his role here at cSPACE. While working as a full time barista, he developed a reputable image for customer service, sincerity and care.

Darrien enjoys that Calgary and cSPACE offer a warm environment where he can use all his skills and let his personality shine. He is excited to create new relationships within an active community that celebrates arts, culture and diversity. When you see him, you’ll always get a professional welcome and a friendly smile.

{ Event Staff }

For urgent inquiries, you can reach the Event Staff person on duty at cSPACE Marda Loop by phoning or texting 403-863-9590. For less timely matters, please email our team at events@cspaceprojects.com.

kate

Kate Ware (She/Her)

Event Staff

Bio

Kate is a modern-day Renaissance woman. On any given day you might find her with a camera, paintbrush, garden trowel, crochet hook, keyboard, circular saw, or sewing machine in hand. A life-long learner and creative, she enjoys exploring various media as a form of expression and means for connection, and is particularly inspired by the synthesis of disciplines.

A scientist at heart, Kate obtained degrees in both Zoology and Psychology while also pursuing an Art minor at the University of Calgary. After years of natural history programming in Alberta parks, she took some time to tend to her own growing family while also making time to tend to her creations, all of which can be found at www.katewares.com.

When not supporting all of the great stuff happening at cSPACE, you can find her playing board games with her teenage sons, helping her husband with his LEGO art, throwing a ball for her sweet cattle dog rescue, or tooling around in her magical VW van.

beatriz

Beatriz Vasconcelos (She/Her)

Event Staff, Technician

Bio

Beatriz loves pursuing new challenges. After graduating in Journalism, she worked as a producer and reporter for four years, then opened her own video production company. She is always seeking to provide the best solution for clients.

She is constantly willing to learn about different cultures. Her latest adventure saw her move to Canada from Brazil to strengthen her professional skills.

At cSPACE you can find her working as a theatre technician and supporting events, and she is also a master at social media reels. She feels lucky to be part of an environment full of community spirit and art.

iris-hill-2

Iris Hill (She/They)

Event Staff

Bio

With a background in theatre services and creative writing, Iris first came to cSPACE with the Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society. After spending nearly ten years teaching others how to express themselves through the mediums of fiction, creative essays, and tabletop gaming, they saw an opportunity to become even more involved with this wonderful arts community, and jumped at the chance.

When she isn’t working at the AWCS or writing something awesome, Iris can be found all over cSPACE. They love having friendly chats with all the amazing artists that frequent the building, as well as visitors bringing their own perspective to the displays.

As a transgender person and advocate for trans representation, they are thrilled to be in a space that encourages them to be their most authentic and radical self.

alexa-mcginn

Alexa McGinn (She/Her)

Event Staff

Bio

Alexa is an emerging Mohkinstsis-based actor, writer, and self-proclaimed “professional wiggler.” After graduating from the University of Calgary with a BFA in Drama, Alexa is focused on getting her hands dirty in Calgary art’s community. You can find her admiring all the incredible exhibitions and art at cSPACE (Her favourite is the Imaginarium).

bunny

Brian “Bunny” Batista (He/Him)

Event Staff

Bio

A practicing artist, Bunny graduated from ACAD in 2001 with distinction, won the board of governors award, and was valedictorian. He co-founded the Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) and is the current president of the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation (CAAF).

Currently Bunny instructs classes all over, hosts figure events, workshops and spends most of his time in the cSPACE studio he owns and operates, the Atelier Artista. His work and livestream videos are available to view on his personal site, brianbatista.com and on the Atelier Artista site.

He continues to play a pivotal role in the Calgary arts community and is a cherished member of the cSPACE team.

darren

Darren Flach (He/Him)

Event Staff

Bio

In 2011, Darren sold his house and IT consulting business to travel the world by bicycle. Five years of nomading later he returned to Calgary and commenced writing his first travel memoir, tapping into the goldmine that is the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society for writerly support. When AWCS moved to cSPACE, Darren was blown away by the concept of a building dedicated to supporting and nourishing creativity, collaboration and community. Not to mention how good it felt being there as a member of AWCS. When an opportunity to be a part of cSPACE came up, Darren jumped at it.

His role as Event Support Staff has expanded to include software and technical support and he is thrilled to contribute to this game changing organization. He is currently working on his second book. His first book, Memoirs of a World Cyclist is available on Amazon.

cristiana

Cristiana Tercero (She/Her)

Event Staff

Bio

Cristiana is a visual artist from Nicaragua with a creative background in Graphic Design and Digital Illustration. Her involvement in cultural programs and social activism from an early age influenced the intention of her work toward visualizing issues around feminism and equality. She was named ICAI’s February ’22 Artist of the Month, and currently collaborates with renowned creative studios and independent artists in Calgary.

At cSPACE you can often find her helping out at the weekly Farmers and Makers Market, or working with the fine folks at Metrographics and Atelier Artista.