About

Marybeth Leis Druery is a visual artist and Expressive Arts facilitator who integrates the arts with meditation, reflection, and her work with the Hamilton charity, Student Open Circles. She leads groups and individuals in exploring self-expression through various creative medium, facilitating growth in self-awareness, meaning-making, leadership, and engagement in social justice. Her vibrant artistic works are exhibited locally, in international publications, and in many private collections. 

Marybeth received her B.Ed. at the University of Western Ontario, is a trained Spiritual Director through the Ontario Jubilee program, and holds an Ontario College Graduate Certificate as an Expressive Arts Practitioner through Haliburton School of Art and Design. She offers Spiritual Companioning as a supportive space for individuals from diverse backgrounds to listen to where meaning is emerging in one’s life, with arts and creative expression available in Spiritual Companioning sessions. Her journey in formation as a Spiritual Director has been instrumental in birthing the expressive images found in her art. And in turn, she finds nourishment for her own spiritual journey through artistic expression.

Select Exhibitions

  • August 2018: Best Place for a Child? Solo Exhibition, Turner Park Library, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2018-2020: Group Exhibition, Art @ 231 Gallery, James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2015: SWARM: Members Exhibition, Hamilton Artists’ Inc.
  • 2011-2017: Art in the Workplace, Group Exhibitions, Atrium @ MIP, McMaster Innovation Park
  • 2013-2015: Thou Art Party, Group Exhibition, James Street North Art Crawl, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2012: Cosmic Whispers, Solo Exhibition, New City Gallery, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2010: Image Meets Spirit, Group Exhibition, Gallery at First Unitarian, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2008: Finding Voice, Solo Exhibition, Gallery at First Unitarian, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2008: Visioning a Sacred Ecology, Group Exhibition, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2007: The Holiday Show, Group Exhibition, Gallery 435, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2007: Finding Voice, Solo Exhibition, Skydragon Centre, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2007: Visual Fringe, Group Exhibition, Downtown Arts Centre, Hamilton, Ontario
  • 2007: Summer Solstice, Group Exhibition, Gallery 435, Hamilton, Ontario

Publications

  • Joy, acrylic painting, 2016 Multifaith Calendar
  • Courtyard Home, illustration, Hamilton Health Sciences research paper
  • Creatively Reflecting through Service Experiences, Mandate Magazine
  • CD Cover Art and Design, acrylic paintings, The Other Side of Night
  • Wonder, watercolour painting, 2011 Multifaith Calendar
  • the universe belongs to the dancer, watercolour painting, Presence International Journal
  • Picked too Soon, watercolour painting, Presence International Journal

Select Courses and Workshops Facilitated

  • Expressive Arts Graduate Certificate Program, Haliburton School of Art and Design, Fleming College, ON
  • Awakening Your Creative Power Seminar Series, Ontario Arts Council Grant in collaboration with Hamilton Health Sciences and LEAP Artist’s Collective
  • Creativity Circle, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
  • Art as Spiritual Practice, Five Oaks Retreat Centre, Paris, Ontario
  • Artful Reflections Workshop, Jubilee Spiritual Directors Alumni conference
  • Awakening through Artistic Play, Spiritual Directors of Ontario conference
  • Centering on the solstice: with Mandala, Five Oaks Retreat Centre, Paris, ON
  • Creative Expression Workshops, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
  • Creativity, Action, and Change, Global Citizenship Conference, McMaster
  • Meditating with Mandalas, Jubilee Spiritual Direction Training Program, Huron College, University of Western, London, Ontario
  • Movement as Spiritual Practice, Mayday Festival, Skydragon Centre, Hamilton, ON
  • Mandala Making and Meditation, First Unitarian Church, Hamilton, Ontario
  • Secondary School Art: Grades 9-10, Countryside Mennonite School, Hawkesville, Ontario

Training

  • Expressive Arts Graduate Certificate Program – Haliburton School of Art and Design, Fleming College (2014 - 2018)
  • Painting with Acrylics - Sandee Ewasiuk, Dundas Valley School of Art
  • Jubilee Spiritual Formation and Direction Training Program, University of Western Ontario
  • Bachelor of Education, University of Western Ontario