About Me

Hello!  My name is Mrs. Godwin (or Jodie to those who are closer to my height).  I have been volunteering alongside my own children at their schools for some years now.  Over the past four years, this has expanded beyond their classes and grades, and has involved me bringing in ideas and art projects (and stuff) to several Elementary schools in Niagara.  I love doing this!  I get to work alongside their teachers, who have been so welcoming, and I have the great privilege of being sort of an ‘Art Aunt’ to the students I know.  I often get stopped in the hall with the question “Mrs. Godwin, do we have Art with you today?”.  The look of elation on their faces when I can say “Yes!” is just – great.

So far, Samuel and Leah still enjoy having me there, and that is a lovely part of it that I don’t take for granted.  A big thank you to them both, and some of their friends, who have helped me clean up art messes after school so many times … (you know who you are)

In case you are wondering, my training is in Fine Art: I have a 4 year diploma from the Alberta College of Art, majoring in Ceramics, and 3 1/2 more years to a  BFA from the University of Calgary in Sculpture.  I then worked in the University of Calgary Art Department as a technician, until my husband David and I moved here to Niagara-on-the-Lake.  He opened a new branch for Woods Parker Architects, and has since started his own business:  Parker Architects, now located in St. Catharines.

I also spent years in Alberta working at a potter’s supply, and volunteering alongside high school youth with Young Life in Canada.  So, life has often been a balance of working with my hands and working with people.

These days, with the able assistance of my family, I run Bushy House B&B – something we have done for 13 years now.  I love so many of the guests that come our way over the years, and have watched our children grow.  Today we have 21 chickens and two cats and a dog, a budgie, a fish and a big garden.  You might say life is full!  We are blessed with good friends near and far; for all this and more – I give thanks.

My time at the schools is concentrated in those months that the B&B is not so busy, and I am glad to be able to share my enthusiasm for creative fun and people.  Art is here and there!