Meet the Faculty

Sandra Gibbons, AKBD, DDA, ARIDO

Sandra Gibbons

Sandra Gibbons is the Coordinator of the Interior Decorating program and is a graduate of Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, with a Diploma in Interior Design. She was worked a kitchen and bath designer and formed her own company working with Property Managers, Board of Directors of condominium corporations, commercial and residential projects.

Sandra belongs to the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) with Educator status and has been an active in the Eastern Ontario Chapter. She also is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) with Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) status. She is a founding member of the Ottawa Chapter of the NKBA and is the chapters current President. Sandra loves to share her passion for the design industry with others.

Shannon Smithers-Gay, Professor

Shannon Smithers-Gay

Shannon is an award-winning Interior Decorator that has successfully owned & operated her own Ottawa based firm, One80 Design, since 2005. Although trained and experienced in both residential and commercial design, Shannon’s firm specializes in hospitality design and in-fill development. Shannon is a proud graduate of the Interior Decorating program and has been teaching as a part time instructor for the program since 2007. She has a true passion for design and this directly relates to the energy typically found in her classrooms. Shannon is committed to providing each student with a positive learning environment in which they are able to feel inspired and gain the necessary tools required to become successful in the industry.

Ann Smith, Professor

Ann Louise SmithAnn Smith is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Interior Decorating Program and has a background in art and graphic design. She loves the creativity of teaching and working with the students to achieve their career goals. Ann also works with commercial and residential clients in her own business. Ann is passionate about the philosophy of interior decor, studying the development of furniture and decor styles. She also enjoys drawing, painting, collecting art, and sourcing new boutiques and antique outlets.