ArtSea Community Arts Council is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and achieves its goals through the valued contribution of dedicated staff and volunteers. ArtSea has an open membership available to artists, arts and cultural groups, and residents interested in the arts. Currently ArtSea receives provincial, municipal and community foundation funding and creates self-generating income.
ArtSea Board of Directors
The ArtSea Board of Directors consists of professionals who volunteer their time to support the arts and direct operations of the ArtSea Community Arts Council. Board Members are elected at the Annual General Meeting, held each year. Nominations and applications are accepted throughout the year.
Ethel Mailhot, President
Ethel retired from the Saanich School Board after 35 years as teacher/councillor/administrator. For the last 15 years, she has been a volunteer and co-ordinator for various ArtSea programs, including the Board of Directors, the Sidney Fine Art Show, Artisans, Arts in the School, Arts on the Pier, the Salish Sea Lantern Festival and the Dianne Cross Awards for the Arts. Presently she is working with artists in promoting and maintaining the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park.
Wendy Woollard, Treasurer & VP
ArtSea was pleased to welcome Wendy to the ArtSea Board of Directors at the recent ArtSea AGM (July 6th, 2023). Wendy began her involvement in the arts community after retiring from management in the insurance business. She specialized in fabric art, mainly southwest desert landscapes, for 12 years. With the onset of Covid, she began exploring acrylic painting, and currently “ plays” with mixed media. Prior to joining the ArtSea board, Wendy was the Show Chair for SPAC, 2018-2022.
Patty Wilson, Past President
As Past President, Patty provides historical information, advice, and strategic direction. As a long-standing ArtSea executive, Patty has served in many areas of the organization including, ArtSea President, Director of the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park, and has been part of events including Artisans, Taste of Tulista and Small Expressions. Patty is a textile and visual artist.
Susan Irvine, Director
As Treasurer, Susan oversees the financial matters of the Board and ensures other directors are adequately informed of financial related issues to ensure good decision-making. Susan joined the Board in 2018, and has been instrumental in strategic planning, policy, financial reporting and administration. Susan was a senior strategic planner in the public sector before retiring.
Joanne Helm, Director
ArtSea was pleased to welcome Joanne to the ArtSea Board of Directors at the recent ArtSea AGM (July 6th, 2023). Joanne has a PhD from University of Calgary and worked as an educator for her career. She became a sculptor in 2015 and works very hard in many mediums but preferring clay to bronze. In addition to serving on the ArtSea Board of Directors, she also works with other local not for profit arts groups.
Mary Philpott, Director
Coming soon…
ArtSea Staff and Contractors
Director of Programs and Communication: Kirsten Norris
Kirsten works closely with the ArtSea Board of Directors to manage operations, budgeting, and strategic planning. Her responsibilities include a wide range of functions, including hiring and supervising staff and contractors, overseeing internal and external communications, and collaborating with ArtSea program leads and community partners to plan and execute programs and events. Kirsten is also responsible for managing marketing and public relations, creating program graphics and promotional copy, generating the monthly newsletter, and maintaining the ArtSea website. Kirsten actively pursues grant funding opportunities to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization, and is in charge of documentation and organizational reporting. Kirsten has worked with ArtSea since 2018.
Arts Coordinator (part-time staff): Arabella Young
Arabella joined ArtSea in July 2022, and has been instrumental in addressing service gaps within the organization, specifically helping to manage the ArtSea Gallery, support the gallery team and weekly gallery renters, and provide coordination and a connection point for ArtSea volunteers and ArtSea members. This role has been vital to the continued success of ArtSea!
Fundraising and Public Relations (part-time contractor): Kari Frazer
Kari joined the ArtSea team in June, 2023, and brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in fundraising and marketing. Kari will support ArtSea in developing (updating and compiling), as well as implementing our fundraising strategy. Kari will also play a vital role in enhancing the visibility of ArtSea in the community through social media and public relations.
Artistic Director of the Salish Sea Lantern Festival (seasonal contractor): Jennifer Witvliet
Artistic Director, Jennifer Witvliet, and an amazing team of volunteers help to plan and deliver the annual Salish Sea Lantern Festival. Jennifer started the first lantern procession in 2013, and the festival has grown and expanded from there. Each year the festival team put together hundreds of jellyfish lantern kits and provide lantern-building workshops for the community. Many large-scale lanterns are installed through the region, leading up to the evening festival and lantern parade along the waterfront in Sidney!
ArtSea Volunteers
ArtSea is extremely grateful for our amazing volunteers – we could not provide the programs and services without the dedication and energy of our volunteers! Volunteer committees help to organize and promote ArtSea programs and events.
Volunteering with the ArtSea Gallery Committee
Volunteers help to support weekly artist-directed exhibitions at the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park, and donate their time to welcome visitors to the ArtSea Gallery to share information about ArtSea Programs and Services.
Volunteering with the Salish Sea Lantern Festival
The Salish Sea Lantern Festival volunteer committee works throughout the year to plan and prepare for the annual festival. This core team creates magical costumes and large-scale lanterns, and assembles hundreds of jellyfish lantern kits for the community.
ArtSea is also fortunate to have many community members and local organizations volunteer or provide in-kind services for the evening festival, which takes place in August each year.
Volunteering with the ArtSea Studio Tour
Celebrating 25+ years, ArtSea Studio Tour is one of Vancouver Island’s longest running self-guided studio tours. The Studio Tour Committee Lead contacts and organizes registered participants, liaises with program partner locations, and seeks community support. A small team of volunteers also helps with poster and brochure delivery, Studio Tour Signage pickup and drop off, and may host a wrap-up session and debrief.
Volunteering with the Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk
Sculpture Walk volunteers liaise with Town of Sidney to administer to revitalization of the Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk. They may also seek support from the community through fundraising or donations, and contact sculptors that have installations along the sculpture walk.
Volunteering with the The ArtSea Scholarship Program
ArtSea Scholarship Program volunteers liaise with School District 63 to ensure scholarship funds are made available for the award. Dianne Cross also works with the district to select the award recipient(s). An ArtSea Board Member or program volunteer may also attend the award ceremony to present the scholarship to the successful student.
Volunteering for the SPACG Grant and Bursary Program
There are two application intakes each year for SPACG Program grants and bursaries. Program volunteers review applications and communicate with applicants to ensure the information provided is complete and meets the eligibility criteria, before the applications are reviewed by the Adjudication Committee. Volunteers may also join the Adjudication Committee to help assess the merit of each application, according to standardized evaluation criteria.
Volunteering for the The Sidney Art Walk (Partnership with the SBIA)
This is a partnership program presented together with the Sidney BIA. Program volunteers will liaise with local retail locations and establishments to determine placement of artwork. They will also work with registered artists to adjudicate artwork submissions and determine the best match and placement of artwork at each participating establishment.
Volunteering to Organize for the Coast Capital Art Display
ArtSea volunteers adjudicate artwork submitted by program applicants, liaise with participating artists, and coordinate the installation of artwork at two Coast Capital Savings locations.
Saanich Peninsula Municipal Representatives
ArtSea is fortunate to work together with three municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula; The Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, and the District of Central Saanich. Council representatives from each municipality attend monthly ArtSea Board Meetings to share information and advice. ArtSea is grateful for the support from our wonderful municipalities!
Current Municipal Council Representatives (2022 – 2026):
Town of Sidney Representative for ArtSea: Councillor Terry O’Keeffe
District of North Saanich Representative for ArtSea: Councillor Kristine
District of Central Saanich Representative for ArtSea: Councillor Bob Thompson
Thanks for your contribution!
Diane Thorp – Retired from the ArtSea Board of Directors in May 2023
ArtSea would like to thank Diane for her years of volunteering as part of ArtSea Community Arts Council, and as a long-term member of the ArtSea executive. During her time with ArtSea, she has chaired the ArtSea Board and the Sidney Fine Art Show Committee for a number of years, and she was one of the organizers of the ArtSea Festival. Diane is a textile artist and works in her studio as much as possible.
Brett Smyth – Previous North Saanich Council Rep.
From 2018 – 2023, Councillor Smyth served as the North Saanich Council representative for ArtSea.
Please join ArtSea in thanking Councillor Smyth for his years of service to our community, and for supporting local arts and culture.
Barbara Fallott – Previous Town of Sidney Council Rep.
From 2018 – 2022, Councillor Fallott served as the Town of Sidney Council representative for ArtSea.
ArtSea is grateful to Barbara Fallot for her service to our community, for advocating for ArtSea, and for supporting local arts and culture.
