DDGM Biography

Ronn Martin

Ronn was born in Westmount Quebec, but grew up in Northport Nova Scotia and St. Catharines Ont. He attended a 2-room school in Nova Scotia with no indoor plumbing. St. Catharines was a lot more modern, and it was here that he found his love of art.

His first real job was at 16 working as a deckhand on pilot boat on Lake Ontario. It was here that Ronn survived a shipwreck when their tugboat collided with the prop of a freighter and sank.

While he was studying art he held a variety of jobs. Among these were truck driver, Lab technician, a tour guide in Niagara Falls and art instructor. 

Ronn moved to BC in 1981 working as a sign painter and managed various galleries while working on other creative projects. One project was writing and illustrating a Television series for YTV called “A Time to Read”.

In the late 1980’s he opened New Image Props and Décor creating props for movies, Events, Shopping Centres and parades. His clients included Disney Studios, Coke, Pepsi, Molson’s, London Drugs and the Federal government. Later, with his partner they gave lectures and coached small business on getting attention and presentation. 

Ronn has worked with many nonprofits and charities within his communities. He was past president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and was a major contributor for the Richmond Food Bank.

He has two adult sons Kristan and Nathanial. Kristan is a funeral director in Ontario and Nathanial operates heavy equipment near Williams Lake. He has one Grandson Logan who also resides at Williams Lake.

Currently Ronn works as the Recorder for Gizeh Shrine and is a partner in Arts off Main a gallery that is actually off of Commercial. He also has a studio in Steveston and one in Haida Gwaii. His work hangs in Collections around the world and has taken many awards.