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
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
Susan joined the Board in 2018, and performed the role of Treasurer until the end of 2023. Susan has been instrumental in strategic planning, policy, financial reporting and administration. Susan was a senior strategic planner in the public sector before retiring. Susan resigned from the ArtSea Board of Directors in January 2025 and will be missed!
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
Mary joined the ArtSea Board of Directors in early 2024 and currently leads the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grants (SPACG) Adjudication Committee, working closely with the committee to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of grant applications. Her efforts help foster creativity and growth within the Saanich Peninsula’s vibrant arts community.
Jenny Curtis, Interim Director
ArtSea welcomed Jenny to the Board of Directors in November 2024 as an interim director. Jenny previously served on the volunteer gallery committee and played a key role in organizing the 2024 Salish Sea Lantern Festival’s evening festivities. With a background in agriculture and event management, she brings valuable experience in organizing and coordinating large-scale events while fostering community engagement.
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): VACANT
Arabella Young joined ArtSea as a part-time staff member in July 2022, playing a key role in addressing service gaps within the organization. She was instrumental in managing the ArtSea Gallery, supporting the gallery team and weekly renters, and acting as a vital coordination and connection point for ArtSea volunteers and members. Arabella resigned in November 2024, and she will be dearly missed by the ArtSea team, volunteers, and gallery renters.
Fundraising and Public Relations (part-time contractor): VACANT
Kari Frazer joined the ArtSea team in June 2023, bringing a wealth of experience in fundraising and marketing. Kari played a key role in developing and implementing a new fundraising strategy, while also enhancing ArtSea’s visibility in the community through social media, public relations, and the monthly ArtSea Newsletter. Kari retired in January 2025, and her remarkable contributions in 2024 will be greatly missed.
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 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
Application are accepted throughout the 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.
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 (2025):
Town of Sidney Representative for ArtSea: Councillor Sara Duncan
District of North Saanich Representative for ArtSea: Councillor Marshall
District of Central Saanich Representative for ArtSea: Councillor Bob Thompson
