Meet our Team

Niamh O’Laoghaire [nee-iv olera] (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.), a first generation settler, has over 25 years experience in the culture sector in Canada. From 1991 to 1999 she taught historical and contemporary art at McMaster University. She briefly ran her own gallery, Saints Cyril and Methodius (SCAM) Contemporary, before becoming Director of the University of Toronto Art Centre (now Art Museum), 2001 to 2013. She joined the Varley Art Gallery of Markham as Director in 2014. Since 2016 she has also overseen the City of Markham’s Public Art Program, and was closely involved in the creation of Markham’s first Public Art Master Plan (2019), and Public Art Implementation Plan (2020).

Anik Glaude (B.F.A., M.A.)M.A. in Art Museum and Gallery Studies from Newcastle University (2008) and BFA from the University of Ottawa (2006). Anik Glaude is the Varley’s Artistic leader. A Franco-Ontarian, she is a twelfth-generation settler who has worked in the Canadian cultural sector for over fourteen years. Her practice is centered around collaboration, relationship building, and making art accessible to a wide audience. As an institutional curator, she aims to rectify imbalances within our sector by centering the voices of women, Indigenous, Black, culturally diverse, and artists from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She applies a critical lens to collections-based exhibitions, exposing the colonial legacy of museums as well as challenging their role in contemporary society. At the Varley Art Gallery, she is charged with exploring many facets of contemporary art while making the work of F. H. Varley relevant to the diverse communities that frequent the gallery. At the Varley Art Gallery since 2010, she has organized numerous exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and received several OAAG/GOG awards. Prior to working at the Varley Art Gallery, she was Interim Curator of the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art at the Ottawa Art Gallery (2009-2010) where she curated Marian Scott: Abstract Notions.

Rachel D’Oliveira Fell (B. A., Hons) is an arts and culture administrator and practicing artist. Rachel is committed to providing engaging and meaningful programs to audiences across the GTA. After receiving a B.A with Honors in Visual Arts; Art History (York University, 2008), she went on to pursue her passion in education, instructing adult and children’s programs at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives. Rachel progressed into a management role in public programs at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, building relationships within the community and creating opportunities for artists, and youth.  With many years’ experience in non-profit organizations, Rachel is thrilled to be part of the team at the Varley Art Gallery, where she continues to cultivate partnerships and develop programming initiatives to enhance visitor’s experience.

Doriana Cabeceiras graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours BA in Anthropology and a Minor in Biology.  After working as an archaeologist for several years, she returned to school to receive a post-diploma in Museum Management and Curatorship from Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough. As part of this museum program, Doriana completed her internship within the Registration Department of the City of Toronto’s Culture Division.

John Abrams holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art from York University and an undergraduate diploma from the Ontario College of Art and Design. A practicing artist, he has considerable experience assisting curators at the Aga Khan Museum, the University of Toronto Art Museum, CONTACT Photography Festival, and the CONTACT Gallery, developing and presenting art exhibitions, ensuring that the aesthetic components of the project are achieved while museum industry and preventative conservation standards are met.  His deep knowledge of exhibition installation, including wall and floor preparation, painting, moving walls, lighting design and implementation, fabricating and installing exhibition components as well as the production and installation of exhibition labels and graphics are highly beneficial to the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. Abrams is also familiar with monitoring building systems, liaising with contract staff with regard to security, emergency, HVAC, fire systems, and contracting out repairs when necessary, as well as preparing outside contracts for general repairs to the facility and equipment.

Francesca Dauphinais is a first-generation settler with an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester and a BA (Hons.) in History of Art from the University of Malta. Since 2008, she has served the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, first as Volunteer Coordinator and now as Development Officer. Acting as the key link between the Foundation and the Varley Art Gallery, Francesca drives fundraising efforts—through grant writing, sponsorships, and donor relations—that are essential to sustaining the Gallery’s exhibitions, programs, and collection care. She also oversees volunteer engagement on behalf of the Varley Art Gallery and City of Markham, and advises on strategies to deepen public connection with the arts. Her leadership has expanded educational access through initiatives like the William J. Withrow School Visits Bursary, ensuring the Gallery remains a vibrant hub for arts education, community engagement, and cultural appreciation.