LISA CRISTINZO (she/her/beast) is a queer painter and installation artist, facilitator, arts worker, and a first-generation Canadian residing in Tkarónto on Turtle Island. Cristinzo’s work explores myth, materialism, and earth-based spiritual practices that result in subversive paintings and spaces that queer the monolithic, entangle hierarchies, and diversify systems of care. She re-emerged as an artist after working for over 15 years in the arts and cultural sector, including managing the artist residency program at Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts on Mnisiing/Toronto Island. In 2022, she completed an MFA at York University, receiving a Graduate Scholarship and SSHRC funding for her research into fire and climate change, along with the Samuel Sarick Purchase Prize. Funded by a Canada Council for the Arts grant, Lisa spent 60 days at four artist residencies following her MFA, where she explored the tradition of “plein air” painting through the lens of climate change. Cristinzo created a thematic artist residency based on this experience and brought together Indigenous, settler, and newcomer land-based artists for a collective contemplation around “plein air” painting and climate disasters. The residency, called “i made it through the wilderness,” is in its third iteration and is now an artist collective. Currently, Cristinzo’s work focuses on ecological cycles, post-burnout restorative practices, and working in co-authorship, creating work “about” and “with” plants. After completing the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residence Program in 2023, she participated in a local bio-based materials international program, “The Material Way,” based in Denmark, where she made apple-based bioplastics from Doris McCarthy’s apple trees. Most recently, her work was included in a three-person show, "Red, Yellow, Blue," at Xpace Cultural Centre, curated by the Gas Collective. She is currently a sessional instructor, teaching painting and drawing at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts at Brock University, and serves on the Board at the RiverBrink Art Museum in the Niagara region.