About Karrie

Rooted in the heart of Northern Ontario, Karrie Emms carries a deep connection to the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness. Growing up among its lakes, forests, and vibrant communities, she developed an early appreciation for the colors, textures, and rhythms that now inspire her art and storytelling.

Karrie’s creative journey weaves together traditional and modern techniques, faith-based themes, and reflections on contemporary life. Through her art, writing, and speaking, she aims to bridge divides—fostering dialogue, healing, and understanding for those navigating life’s challenges.

As a single mother who homeschooled two incredible children—now thriving adults—Karrie found inspiration in their curiosity and resilience. What began as simple family projects, like crafting knights’ armor, evolved into a shared passion for creativity. Together they built a small chainmaille jewelry business, explored glassblowing, photography, and film design, and discovered that creativity could be both a livelihood and a path to connection.

In December 2021, Karrie’s life changed forever with the tragic loss of her nephew, Nicholas Adam Kenneth Nicholls, whom she helped raise from the age of fourteen. Nicholas’s life was taken in a senseless act of violence, but his spirit endures through the gift of organ donation and through Gateway & Nick’s Place, the youth arts center founded in his name. What began as a response to grief became a living legacy—a space where young people could express themselves, find belonging, and heal through creativity.

In 2025, Gateway & Nick’s Place transitioned from its physical storefront inside Northgate Shopping Centre into a more fluid and community-centered model. This change allows Karrie and her team to focus more deeply on youth engagement, outreach events, and speaking engagements—meeting people where they are and expanding impact beyond four walls.

Karrie is also the author of Threads: Weaving Us Through Strength and Struggle, a reflective work that explores grief, resilience, and the healing power of creativity. Through Threads and her workshops such as Artful Alchemy and Brushstrokes of Resilience, Karrie helps others transform pain into purpose, using art as a language for what words cannot express.

With a professional background in event planning, journalism, and fundraising, Karrie brings both passion and polish to every endeavor. Whether she’s facilitating an art-based workshop, organizing a community fundraiser, or delivering an empowering keynote, her message remains clear: creativity can heal, connection can transform, and hope always finds a way through.