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Amelia Zhu

Specialist

Amelia Zhu joined Waddington’s in 2015 and has been a specialist in the Asian Art Department since 2017. Her expertise encompasses all Chinese Art categories including paintings, ceramics, jade carvings, furniture and textiles. Beyond Chinese art, Amelia is also knowledgeable with art from the Himalayan region, South-East Asia and Japan. In addition, she has developed a strong relationship with Asian Art collectors and dealers in Canada and internationally.

Within the Asian Art Department, Amelia has played key roles in appraisals, research, proposals and auction preparation. One of her highlights was the promotion and sale of two acrylic paintings by renowned Chinese modernist master Walasse Ting (1929-2010) that sold for $98,000 in 2019.

Amelia completed her studies at the University of Toronto with a B.A. and M.A. in Art History, and minors in East Asian Studies and Book & Media Studies. Prior to joining Waddington’s, Amelia participated in the tomb excavation project of Cao Wei from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 AD) in Henan Province, and was involved in numerous internships at auction houses in China. She was also the assistant chief editor at DaHe Daily Newspaper and an intern TV host at HNTV. Amelia is fluent in both Mandarin and English.

Andrew Brandt

Client Services

With nearly two decades of experience at Waddington’s, Andrew Brandt has learnt the auction business from the ground up. Beginning with a role as general estate auction floor worker, Andrew soon began to assist with cataloguing, staging, photography and client coordination. Always committed to increasing his knowledge, Andrew began assisting as a general appraiser on housecalls. He currently oversees the sale of rugs and carpets as well as African and Ethnographic art and artifacts at Waddington’s.

Austin Yuen

Specialist

Austin Yuen is a specialist in the Asian Art department at Waddington’s. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours/Summa Cum Laude) from McMaster University and a Master of Art History from the University of Toronto. He first joined Waddington’s in 2011, and began his full-time role as a specialist in 2017. His working areas of expertise include Japanese works of art, Chinese ceramics and furniture. He is fluent in English and Cantonese Chinese, and has working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and French.

Bill Kime

Senior Specialist, Ceramics, Glass and Silver

William (Bill) Kime is a Senior Specialist in the Decorative Arts department at Waddington’s and is one of the company’s senior auctioneers. Educated in England, including further studies at Sotheby’s (London) and at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Bill joined Waddington’s in 1975.

With over 45 years’ experience, a wealth of accumulated knowledge in his field and veteran of three seasons on the CBC’s Canadian Antiques Roadshow, Bill enjoys a respected reputation as one of North America’s foremost experts in 19th and 20th century decorative arts.

Dara Vandor

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Devin Hatfield

Client Services Manager

Devin Hatfield is the Fine Wine and Spirits Client Services Manager at Waddingtons. His attention to detail, coupled with his affable demeanour and epicurean savvy with all things imbibed, has helped produce some of the most successful fine wine and spirits auctions in Canada.

Donald McLean

Senior Specialist

Donald McLean is the Senior Specialist in the FIne Jewellery and Watch Department. His 35+ years of experience gives him an in-depth knowledge of both domestic and international markets for a wide range of jewellery and horological material. Donald received a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Geology from Carleton University, and earned his F.G.A. with distinction from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. He is a member of several horological and mineralogical associations, and has appeared as a jewellery and watch specialist on the Canadian Antiques Roadshow.

Doug Payne

Senior Specialist

Doug Payne learned his craft the old fashioned way – on the auction floor. With over 25 years of managing Waddington’s “Off The Wall” auctions – now known as “Discovery Art” – thousands of art works of all types and values have passed through his hands. Working closely with all Waddington’s art departments, Doug has developed a very diverse and respected knowledge of art and an extensive network of clients. Doug’s Discovery Art auctions are always an eclectic selection of affordable works – a great place to start collecting and build your collection.

Duane Smith

General Manager

Duncan McLean

President

Duncan McLean is a recognized leader and innovator in the Canadian auction industry. His forty+ years of experience includes specialized knowledge in Canadian art, with a focus on Inuit art, and exceptional knowledge across all of Waddington’s specialty areas. Duncan’s expertise as an auctioneer is highly regarded. His commitment to community support and initiatives drives Waddington’s philanthropic strategy.

Elda Pappada

Online Auction Support & Accounts Receivable

Ellie Muir

Manager

Joining Waddington’s in 2012 with more than a decade of experience delivering excellent client service in hospitality, banking and professional association roles, Ellie Muir worked closely with senior Fine Art and Decorative Arts specialists before taking a leadership position in the Consignments & Appraisals department. In this role, Ellie oversaw the assessment and sale of many important estates and corporate collections. She maintained membership in the International Society of Appraisers from 2015-2020.

Having grown up on Lake of the Woods, her appreciation for Canadian Fine Art and the Canadian landscape began at a very young age. Ellie has a passion for Canadian history, and holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto in this subject. These interests inform her research and give her an advantage when putting consignments in context within both the artists’ lifetimes and Canadian art history.

As the Manager of the Canadian Fine Art department, Ellie brings her passion and experience to the organization and promotion of the online auctions and bi-annual live auctions. Ellie enjoys meeting clients to discuss their needs and provide honest advice. She regularly travels across Canada representing Waddington’s.

Hayley Dawson

Associate Specialist

Hayley Dawson holds a Master’s degree in Art Criticism and Curatorial Practice from OCAD University and a BAH in Art History from Queen’s University. Some highlights of her curatorial work include establishing and running an art gallery at the Riverdale Hub in Toronto for two years and coordinating an artist project for one of the AGO’s First Thursday events in 2016. While completing her Master’s program, she interned at auction houses in Toronto and Taipei on a travel grant, where she was drawn to the fast pace and hands-on work of the auction world. She has been with Waddington’s since 2017 working in the Decorative Arts & Design department and developing an expertise in this specialization. She has recently published articles in Ornamentum Magazine and is a member of the Canadian Society of Decorative Arts.

Jacqui Dixon

Director, Client Services

Based in Vancouver, Jacqui Dixon leads our Western Canadian division of Waddington’s. Jacqui provides a full suite of services including providing appraisal advice and consignment guidance to meet the needs of our clients.

Jacqui possesses over 25 years’ experience in business development, sales and customer service across a wide range of industries including travel, recruitment and fine art. She has held senior leadership roles and been successful in building profitable sales and operational teams with business both in Australia and in Canada.

Jacqui is passionate about providing exceptional customer service to our clients. She works closely with the team of specialists in Toronto to provide our Western clientele with an enhanced customer service experience which includes Waddington’s expertise at auction and appraisal.

Joann Maplesden

Specialist

Joann Maplesden has over 30 years of experience in the wine industry. In the late 1980s she helped launch a unique restaurant model in Toronto that paired wines to each course of a six-course meal, which led to the hiring of the first sommelier for a restaurant in Canada. Joann has also worked with some of the most important wine agencies in Canada and through that has dealt directly with some of the biggest wine producers in the world including Christian Moueix, JL Chave, Vietti, Caymus, Shafer and so many more. She has continually worked to bring the world’s best wines to oenophiles, whether helping under-represented international wineries reach store shelves, or helping bring well-cellared premier cru to auction. When not hard at work, Joann likes to settle down with a glass of “a good Napa cab.”

Karen Sander

Accounts Payable

Kristin Vance

Associate Specialist

As the Associate Specialist of Contemporary Art at Waddington’s, Kristin Vance’s responsibilities include research, cataloguing, auction planning and client services associated with our Contemporary Art auctions. Prior to joining the Waddington’s team in 2010, Kristin resided in the United States, working primarily in the museum industry as an Exhibitions and Special Projects Coordinator and Curatorial Assistant. Kristin holds a Masters of Art degree in Art History with a focus on modern and contemporary art as well a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Intermedia Sculpture. Her interest and experience in art history combined with her own studio practice gives Kristin a multi-layered approach to her work and enhances her relationships with clients.

Livia Miliotis

Consignment Coordinator

Livia Miliotis joined the Fine Jewellery department at Waddington’s in July 2019 with nearly a decade of previous experience in the auction industry. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art History from York University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with Distinction) in Arts Management from the University of Toronto. She has further supplemented her learning with jewellery and gemmology courses at the ROM and the Canadian Gemmological Association. Livia is particularly interested in the movements that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries surrounding jewellery production and design. While jewellery is her primary focus, she also enjoys learning about art and antiques in other disciplines as well as the unique stories behind clients’ collections. Over the years, she has volunteered for a number of local arts and cultural organizations, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the creative sectors closely associated with the auction world.

Elizabeth Edwards

Client Experience Manager

Liz Edwards leads the Client Experience Department and oversees Appraisals and Consignments. With over 17 years progressive experience in arts and heritage, Liz works collaboratively across departments with the aim of providing the best customized experience for each client. She holds an MA in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Birmingham and has completed the ISA’s Core Course in Appraisal Studies. Most recently, Liz was the Executive Director of the Art Dealers Association of Canada (ADAC) and has also held positions at the ROM and Bata Shoe Museum.

Nicole Schembre

Consignment Coordinator

Nicole Schembre has over a decade of experience in various corners of the art world. She graduated with an Honours degree in Art History from Queen’s University, where she completed an internship at the Agnes Etherington Arts Centre, and studied art in Venice, Italy. She went on to work at one of Canada’s leading commercial art galleries, which included representing the gallery at various international art fairs. Nicole has taught courses in Art History and the History of Furniture at Conestoga College. Delving into another aspect of the art industry, Nicole worked for the museum industry’s leading collections management software company.

Nicole is currently the Consignment Coordinator for the Canadian Fine Art and Inuit Art departments, working with consignors and buyers to guide them through the auction process. She is deeply involved in organizing the Canadian Fine Art auctions, and revels in the artworks that come through Waddington’s.

In addition to being active in the arts community, she serves on the Art Gala Selection Committee for Swim Drink Fish.

Rochelle Konn

Associate Specialist

Rochelle Konn is an Associate Specialist in the Inuit Art Department at Waddington’s. Educated at Concordia University in Montreal, she has experience working and volunteering in numerous arts and heritage institutions across Montreal and Ontario. Rochelle has a passion for Canadian art and started working in our Canadian Art Department in 2016. After spending time assisting in the Inuit Art Department, Rochelle chose to concentrate on Inuit art.

Sean Quinn

Specialist

Sean Quinn is a Specialist in our Decorative Arts & Design department with specific expertise in sculpture, clocks, and lighting as well as some of our most unique auctions, like the Cabinet of Curiosities. Sean has been responsible for some of our most memorable auctions – including Soviet Space Artifacts and Antique Scientific Instruments, and the Canada 150 Auction. Sean has also appeared on CBC’s Antiques Roadshow, where he lent his expertise to assessing a wide variety of Decorative Arts. He also has a degree in Horology and has apprenticed with a Journeyman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.

Susan Robertson

Senior Specialist

Susan Robertson holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts History degree from the University of Toronto. She has devoted her entire career of over 40 years in the fine art industry in Toronto authenticating and appraising thousands of recorded artists’ works of art from the Old Master period to the 21st century.

Susan served on the National Archives Appraisal Board (NAAB) of Canada, Ottawa since 1987 for two decades. Her comprehensive expertise has made her a respected advisor and appraiser to both federal and provincial governments.  She has also served on other appraisal committees at various archives in Ontario and has provided appraisals for donation for the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum and others. Susan is an Accredited Member of The Canadian Association of Personal Property Appraisers.

As Waddington’s Senior Fine Art specialist since the year 2000, Susan has strengthened Waddington’s position as the leading auction firm in Canada to authenticate, appraise and auction paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture by domestic and international artists. Her expertise at identifying artists’ signatures, combined with her love of research and extensive international contacts with leading art experts, art historians, private collectors, museums and art galleries around the globe has resulted in Waddington’s achieving record prices for American, British and European artworks at auction.

Tess McLean

Director

Valerie Brown

Client Services

Valerie Brown has extensive experience in the international art and auction market. Joining Waddington’s in 1974, she was integral to the early success of the company. Based in Collingwood, Ontario, Valerie advises the company on international art and assists collectors in establishing and building their collections. She provides expert appraisal advice for estate, insurance, family division or sale and facilitates the shipping of items to our head office in Toronto for sale to the international art market.

Yvonne Monestier

Director, Fine Arts Division

Yvonne Monestier is Director of Fine Art & Strategic Partnerships at Waddington’s. Yvonne is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the Fine Art division of Waddington’s which comprises Canadian, Contemporary, Inuit, International and Discovery Art. As an experienced and passionate arts practitioner, her expertise is in curatorial studies, strategic planning, business development and project management. Prior to joining the Waddington’s team in late 2019, Monestier managed the City of Mississauga Public Art Program for over ten years where she was responsible for all aspects of planning and commissioning art on public and private lands, with a focus on contemporary Canadian artists. Monestier developed Mississauga’s inaugural public art policy and master plan which led to a city-wide public art program. Monestier has managed program budgets and curated numerous permanent and ephemeral art projects and exhibitions. Prior to joining the public sector, Monestier worked as an independent curator and art consultant in New York City with prominent galleries and collectors including the likes of Nyehaus, New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) and the National Arts Club. Monestier holds an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree in Art Business from the Sotheby’s Institute, New York. You can follow her adventures online at @y.monestier on Instagram or @YMonestier on Twitter.