About Us
Mary Sarnese
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Mary Sarnese is a gifted, self-taught artist, with a unique eye for painting detailed foliage and flowers. Inspired by natural life, Mary began painting delicate antiques with her signature roses, restoring life and vibrancy into the pieces. Mary has an extensive background in art, and has worked with several forms of media. As a skilled knit designer, her fashions have been showcased on runway in Montreal, Canada. She has also worked with wood and decorative art, and provided the official makeup artistry for hit rock groups, demonstrating powerful versatility in her artistic abilities. Mary studied Family Law and worked at a law firm for a few years. However, her true passion was for art and most recently, “shabby-chic” décor, which is evident in her classic works of art. She paints on a wide variety of surfaces, including canvas, silver, glass, and fabric. Her pieces have been showcased at various art shows in Canada. Mary is a coordinator and organizer for other artists, as well as a host and instructor for her own art workshops.
Mary currently resides lakeside in Central Ontario with her son and husband, where she maintains her art studio and continues to create. Mary was recently appoiinted the prestigious position as Club Director, Art Gallery Chair Person.
Leanna Tallmeister
Born and raised outside of Toronto, Ontario, Leanna Tallmeister is a student, actor, and public speaker. She attended Unionville High School’s “Arts York” program, where she majored in theatre. While in school, she was diagnosed with SARS- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome- and was forced into a two month period of isolation where she rediscovered her priorities, dreams, and aspirations. Wanting to make a difference, she began advocating for bullying prevention after her recovery. As a former bullied student, she wanted to reach out to others affected by bullying. She entered the Miss Teen Canada pageant, and was selected to represent Toronto in the national pageant, with bullying awareness and prevention as her official platform. She became the spokesperson for CAYRE- the Community Alliance for York Region Education- where she travels to various Ontario elementary schools to share her personal story of bullying with the students, teachers, and parents. Leanna wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “Caterina’s Reward” which she uses as a learning tool for the younger students. Leanna was a guest speaker at Barbara Coloroso’s “Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander” conference, and has shared the stage with the likes of Nelly Furtado at charity events.
Leanna believes strongly in recognizing your calling in life and following that path, regardless of whether or not there is a guarantee for success. As an actress, Leanna lived in New York City in 2005 to study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, under the tutelage of many fine actors (such as Geoffrey Horne, from the classic film “Bridge on the River Kwait”). She has trained at the Black Nexxus Studio in Manhattan under the instruction of Susan Batson (personal coach to Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Juliette Binoche) and received personal coaching from Roberta Wallach (actress; daughter of actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson.). Leanna is also a former member of the Second City in Toronto. Leanna is currently studying towards her Honours Bachelor degree in Communications Studies, and aspires to one day study at the Juilliard School of the Arts, and make a successful living as an actress, a news anchor, or an ambassador/ spokesperson for the United Nations.
Leanna Tallmeister
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leanna Tallmeister- author, actress, ambassador for CAYRE- Community Alliance for York Region Education. Held the title of Miss Teen Toronto two years in a row, beginning in 2004. Spokesperson for bullying prevention in schools throughout Ontario, Canada ("Put the Brakes on Bullying" campaign). Was a keynote speaker with Barbara Coloroso in 2004. Shared the stage with Nelly Furtado at CHUMFM "Christmas Wish" event. Has been featured in a documentary for TVO, CTS, "Listen Up", and CBC Radio. After a publicized battle with a severe illness (see SARS), Leanna wrote and illustrated children's book "Caterina's Reward"-published by Hidden Brook Press. She is the recipient of the "Celebration of Women" Award for Youth Achievement, the CAYRE award, nominee of the Canadian Peacekeeping Award, winner of the "Celebration of the Arts" Award for Theatre. Studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, as well as Black Nexxus with producer Susan Batson (coach to Nicole Kidman) and actress Roberta Wallach (daughter of Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach.). Graduate of Unionville High School's Arts York Program, an arts high school in the Toronto area (SEE Unionville High School). She was a theatre major. Leanna is also an alumnus of Toronto's Second City youth troupe, and currently speaks about the medical and social impacts of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Daughter of Canadian anesthesiologist Dr. Alan Henry Tallmeister, and author Carmela Sarnese.
Mel Sarnese
Mel Sarnese has left a career in nursing to write
poetry, short stories and essays. She has been
published in Canadian journals, anthologies, broadcast on
CBC Radio, TVO and recorded her poetry on CD.
Mel has taught creative writing in group settings and has shared her poetry in spoken word. Mel has performed at:
The Bowery Poetry Cafe in NYC, The Argent in
San Francisco, The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto
and The Poetry Cafe in London, England.
Mel's first book of poetry is titled, 'Iris Dewdrops'. She
is editor of, 'The Poetry of Relationships' -- a full length
book of poetry from a series of ten.
Mel is a member of The Canadian Poetry Association, Association of Italian-Canadian Writers, Canadian Authors Association, Canadian Federation of Poets, professional member of The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto and The Poetry Society in the UK.
Mel Sarnese resides near Toronto, Ontario. She
is a world traveller, enjoys reading, gardening, sketching, painting and spending time with her
close-knit family and friends.
