who we are~
Salmon River Studios is home to Ashley Doucette Pilles, Gabriel Deerman and our two children Sylvan & Isla. We are both artists & international arts educators dedicated to creative and positive engagement with the land, our students and community. Our globe trotting teaching career has brought us to Qatar, China, The Heiltsuk Nation (Northern B.C.) and Jeju Island in S. Korea.
Home for us, the kids, grand parents and extended family is Southern Ontario in the beautiful Land o’ Lakes region and down through the GTA
When you visit Salmon River studios, you are visiting our family farm and you can expect to be treated as a cherished guest- we welcome you to enjoy the land, gardens, studios and accommodations that we have put so much love into and hope that you enjoy them as much as we do!
Our Story
Salmon River Studios was founded by Gabriel Deerman and Ashley Doucette Pilles in 2016 as an ‘Art Farm’ dedicated to arts, education and ecology. With 52 acres of rolling farmland, gorgeous river front, 150 year old timber barn, a ‘fixer upper’ house and a 3 month old baby, Ashley and Gabriel set to work in creating an art education business from the ground up. People said we were “brave”, but we soon realized that that was code for “nuts”.
We managed to find a niche in the community and eke out a modest living offering art programs fror children and adults as well as special needs groups. This allowed us to spend the first few years of parenthood close to the grandparents as well as gain vital experience and insights into the area and the challenges and possibilities for living there. When our second child was born we decided that the hustle of gig work and the stress of running our own business was not serving us and we decided to return to teaching overseas and the stable paycheck/benefits that offers.
Over the decade since, we have dedicated much time, effort and resources to making improvements to the property. We restored the barn- adding studio facilities, indoor/outdoor kitchen/ dining area, play area, chicken coop, renovated the house, created a glamping site as well as planted trees and gardens.
And now nearly a decade later, we are looking at what we have and are feeling “brave” again. Only this time we have the advantage of experience, community recognition and a much more functional property. We also have greater perspective (as parents) into what young families are interested in and we are confident that we can offer unique experiences and opportunities at Salmon River Studios
Gabriel Deerman is an Ontario College of Teachers, Advanced Placement and Internationale Baccalaureate certified educator with expertise in media including painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture and mixed media. Gabriel is Program Manager for Salmon River Studios and handles all things website and communications related. Gabriel holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Vancouver), a Masters of Fine Art from Transart Institute (Berlin/New York) and a Bachelors of Education from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Gabriel regularly exhibits his work in Canada and internationally- view his artwork at www.gabrieldeerman.com
Ashley Doucette Pilles is an Ontario College of Teachers and Internationale Baccalaureate certified educator with expertise in media including ceramics, textiles as well as wood working. Ashley creates all arts curriculum for early years and primary age programming at Salmon River Studios, hosts workshops and is our master of all things chicken, preserves and fermentation related. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Vancouver) and a Bachelors of Education from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario