Jesse Wheelock

Jesse Wheelock is a multidisciplinary artist based in Durham Region, with a background in sculpture from Queen’s University (Class of 2017). After graduating, Jesse immersed himself in the theatre world, working and volunteering with a range of companies before returning home to focus more deeply on his visual arts practice. 

Jesse says, “I think of my artwork as an extension of my own self-discovery and expression. Often dealing with sexuality, LGBTQ+ issues, human nature, and exploring the realms of fantasy and escapism, my work tends to look inward. I am stylistically flexible but have a habit of jumping from one medium to the next. I want to experience working with as many materials as possible, opting for a jack-of-all-trades approach to my artistic practice. My 2-dimensional work is often messy and dark, my sculptural work is whimsical and stems from dark fantasy, and my textile work along with my written work is intricate, with historical and fantastical inspiration. I have struggled in the past to find a common denominator between my three practices. The unifying characteristic is often fantasy based; I grew up reading the Tales of the Brothers Grimm and indulging in escapism and story-telling. I carry these influences into all my forms of art.” 

Jesse joined Scugog Arts in 2020 as Gallery Coordinator and has since held several key roles within the organization, stepping into the position of Director of Programs in June 2025. His work in arts administration complements his creative pursuits, providing a platform to support and engage with other artists in his community.