Gillian Mattock has been the Junior school art teacher at Venta for the past 3 years.

Born on the north-east coast of England, Gillian's Mom found her artistic tendancies problematic from the moment she was mobile! If she had crayons and a blank area to draw on, she would. Walls, furniture, inside cupboards, bed-sheets....nothing was safe. She has wanted to be an artist all her life. At school, her eyes would light up at the thought of scenery for a play, or a mural about viking invasions.

Gillian attended the College of Art and Technology in Newcastle, majoring in Art History and English Literature. She also spent time studying stained glass manufacturing at an establishment in Monkwearmouth, where stained glass for churches and castles had been produced for 600 years.

Gillian met her Canadian husband in England and moved to Canada. She took 10 years out from full-time work to raise her two children. Not having the power to remain separated from art and people for very long, she started giving private lessons for small groups of teens. She has been doing this for 10 years.

Gillian was introduced to Venta by Mrs. Margaret Stone, when she was asked to judge the school art competition. She has never looked back, and as a part-time teacher at Venta she can follow her dream to be an artist and work with some amazing children. Gillian's daughter also attends the school.