In the 1990s, Sue Parke and Don Gidley lived in Toronto, Ontario. Sue designed and made jewellery, while Don sold it in their shop, Emotional Outlet. As markets changed, they decided to enter into a new industry and launched a unique line of metal sculptures, clocks and candle holders. By 1993, Acme Animal was born!

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While cats and poodles were the early companions in the studio, more people soon joined the list of visitors. Nancy Clarke joined the Acme team in 1997.  In Acme’s heyday, seven people were a part of the creative hub, including Sue and Don.

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By 2009, Sue and Don were ready for a change. Nancy had moved to London, Ontario in 2008, and Sue and Don decided to relocate the rest of the company there as well. The new studio found its digs in Nancy’s backyard, but cats and dogs still kept the smaller workforce company. Katherine Krige joined the ranks as an occasional helper around the same time, but took on the larger role of social media maintenance.

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The most recent changes to Acme Animal came in 2016. After many years in the creative workforce, retirement started looking pretty good. It was time.

 

Sue hung up her apron for the last time at the end of December and Don happily followed suit. There were other passions to explore; namely theatre for Sue, badminton for Don, and travelling the world, now that it is open for exploration once more.

 

Don't worry though. Nancy has kept the Acme Animal studio alive and well, continuing to create the quirky, metal sculptures you love.