Illustrator joins Advocate to enhance feature stories, covers

As the Advocate continues to grow and deliver quality journalism, one of the needs identified for the magazine was an illustrator.

Enter Ruth Kelly-Koebel, an illustrator and multidisciplinary artist based in the Dunsford area, who has recently joined the Advocate.

If you enjoyed the cover and the art inside our April magazine on cannabis and drinking you will have seen her work. You can also find her work in our latest issue on page 10 and 11.

While the Advocate uses AI in organizational aspects of its business, the media company wanted to show its support for local artists by offering regular freelance work.

“I’m excited to join the Advocate,” says Kelly-Koebel, “because I’m passionate about contributing to the local arts community.”

“With this ongoing assignment, I not only get to do that but also make a contribution to local media and storytelling.”

Kelly-Koebel, 24, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa. In her other artistic work, she developed the intuitive, textural style that continues to shape her work today. Her creative practice explores painting, textiles, and installation, with recent exhibitions including New Dimensions and Bloom in 2025.

The young artist has also built a diverse background across gallery work, arts education, design, and community programming.