About
The Mission
Theopolis is equipping a rising generation of Catholic artists and creating a space of encounter between the Secular and Sacred.
Our Story
Theopolis began as conversations between friends passionate about art, culture, community and the Catholic tradition. What started as study and reflection in Ontario, the U.S.A., U.K., Italy, and Greece evolved into a mission: to revive Catholic art in our communities.
Our inspiration comes from the story of the Apostle Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26–40): teaching that the Ethiopian was poised for baptism by reading the Word that he did not yet understand, this passage inspired our mission to empower Catholic artists to create an initial encounter between the sacred and the ‘unwitting world’ so that it might be likewise poised by a beauty that it sees and hears without understanding and ask, “how can I [understand] unless someone instructs me?” (Acts 8:31).
Through this vision, Theopolis sets out to share the wealth of the Catholic artistic tradition with the world: stirring hearts and lifting the gaze heaven-ward.
Meet the Team
Eden O'Brien
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Eden O'Brien
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Eden holds an MLitt in Theological Aesthetics from the University of St Andrews and a B.A. in Philosophy from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College. Her work explores the intersection of art and truth, with research in 19th- & 20th-century Aestheticism, Religion & Literature, and Tolkien’s poetics. Eden has contributed to academic projects including co-editing a volume for the Edinburgh Journal of Inkling Studies and serves as associate editor for Transpositions. Passionate about the dialogue between faith and the arts, she has spoken at numerous events and currently works in Business Development across North America and Europe.
Monica Sifert
Co-Founder
Monica Sifert
Co-Founder
Monica studied sacred art, fine art, and iconography in Florence, Italy; Crete, Greece; and Phoenix, Arizona. She also holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Literature from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College. Inspired by the Italian Masters, the Pre-Raphaelites, the Arts & Crafts Movement, and even “bad art” she seeks to reimagine, Monica creates art that transforms inspiration into beauty. She is passionate about craftsmanship and loves making things from scratch. Alongside her artistic practice, she works as a Corporate Paralegal.
Learn more at www.iconicstudioart.com
Juliana De Martin
Social Media Director
Samantha O'Brien
Lead Graphic Designer
Samantha O'Brien
Lead Graphic Designer
Samantha O’Brien is a Toronto-based Catholic creative specializing in graphic design and hand lettering. She graduated with distinction from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Design. Clarity and functionality guide her work across a variety of media. Her experience includes graphic design for startups and corporate clients, as well as communications work within the Archdiocese of Toronto. She is continually developing new skills and finding ways to apply them to her creative practice. Samantha is also a wife and mother of two and enjoys trying new recipes in her free time.
Alejandra Mendoza
Program Coordinator
Alejandra Mendoza
Program Coordinator
Alejandra has a Masters in Museum Studies from The University of Toronto and a Bachelor’s of Art in Visual and Critical Studies from OCAD University. While doing her masters she became interested with museum education as a way of engaging young minds outside of the traditional classroom. Her practice centers around community building within the museum to foster connection and encourage creativity. She is currently working towards building her career in museum education and hopes to inspire more young people to pursue careers in the arts/heritage sector.
Trevor Anzai
Artist Coordinator
Trevor Anzai
Artist Coordinator
Trevor Anzai is a Catholic visual artist and writer based in Ottawa. Working primarily in oils, he explores his creative practice alongside his monthly Substack publication, Build Your Life. Outside his work, Trevor enjoys spending time with his family, playing ball hockey, and gathering around board games.
Adrian Tadeo
Videographer
Get in Touch
Have a question about our mission, or want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you.
