Within Six Degrees Muskoka, located at the corner of Manitoba Street and Taylor Road in Bracebridge, there are three touchstones.
A retail and display space with a broad spectrum, rotating series of art exhibits and demonstrations.
A 10 seat digital animation studio offering youth an introduction to computer animation and software.
A vast collection of books covering the topics of art, architecture, science and geography.
Six Degrees Muskoka Founders:
Don and Jen Skinner, living predominantly in Bracebridge, Muskoka with their two boys, are pleased to launch a not-for-profit venue focused on creative thinking, learning, arts and culture. As owners of five century-old buildings in downtown Bracebridge, they are donating the space for the summer as a pilot project to support Muskoka’s youth and arts communities.
Don Skinner:
Don is the President and joint owner with Jen, of the Skinner Group of Companies, focusing on design, construction, adaptive reuse and leasing world class venues to almost 200 end users. The companies employ best practices in construction, environmental values and fair practices. Don graduated with distinction and won the American Institute of Architects’ Alpha Rho Chi Medal from the Masters of Architecture Program at Dalhousie in Halifax Nova Scotia. Architectural projects of Don’s have received international awards, including Japan Architect, and Mississauga Municipal and City Planning. Focused on knowledge and education, Don continues his personal development through institutions such as the Ontario Association of Architects and Ontario Building Code programs. Don embraces learning and creative environments.
As the past president of Peel Children’s Centre, an Ontario organization delivering Canada’s finest mental health treatment services for kids experiencing serious mental health difficulties, he knows first hand how important it is for our society to reach out to kids and engage them. His personal experience, as a student at Appleby College, through Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh Program taught him the value of structure, interaction and discipline. Having received his Duke of Edinburgh from the late Honourable John Black Aird, a great Muskokan, he sees the need to pay some of his experiences forward.
Jen Skinner
A Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, a decade with RBC Dominion Securities in administration and technology, and an Interior Design Diploma from Sheridan College all come together for Jen in Six Degrees Muskoka. Art is an emotional experience for her; a personal reaction to an appreciation for great design. She has always been drawn to art and design in its various forms; from the charm, solidity and stories of old architecture to the interactive, fluid abilities of technology; from the breathtaking, unexpected beauty of nature to the striking uniqueness of hand-crafted forms; it all makes an impression and contributes towards her daily life, work and future plans.
