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.
Hope Hilliard, President
- Committees:
- Fundraising Events Committee
- ArtSea Gallery Volunteer Committee
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
ArtSea is delighted to welcome Hope Hilliard as President. Hope joined the ArtSea Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on June 12, 2025, and assumed the role of ArtSea President on November 13, 2025. Her collaborative spirit and passion for arts and culture will be invaluable as ArtSea continues to serve the community.
Hope has been a volunteer in the gallery for the past two years and has been involved in the arts her whole life. As well as her experience at ArtSea, she has many years of experience in both professional and volunteer boards. She has sat as president of a Homeowners Association in California, acted as treasurer on a board in Alberta and held a director position on the Peninsula Co op board. She has also been a member of The Finance Committee after completing her terms on the boards she has been part of. Her professional career was in management in the field of Human Resources for Coast Capital Savings. She is excited about being involved with ArtSea and sees it as a very valuable organization for supporting the Arts and Culture of the Peninsula.
Ethel Mailhot, Past President
- Committees:
- ArtSea Gallery Director
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
ArtSea extends sincere appreciation to Ethel for her years of dedicated service as President of the ArtSea Board of Directors. Her invaluable contributions and steadfast support for the arts have made a lasting impact as she transitions into the role of Vice President.
Ethel retired from the Saanich School Board after 35 years as teacher/counselor/administrator. For the last 15 years, she has been a volunteer and coordinator 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.
Jenny Curtis, Secretary
- Committees:
- ArtSea Gallery Volunteer Committee Lead
- Salish Sea Lantern Festival Evening Event Coordinator Lead
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
ArtSea is pleased to have Jenny serve as Board Secretary. She has been an ArtSea Gallery volunteer since April 2024 and currently serves as a lead for the gallery committee volunteer team. In addition, Jenny plays a key role in the planning and presentation of the Salish Sea Lantern Festival, contributing her creativity and dedication to one of ArtSea’s most cherished community events.
Jenny Curtis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture majoring in Horticulture and a Master’s
Certificate in Project Management. Jennifer retired from the BC Ministry of Agriculture where she held an
Industry Specialist position for Greenhouse Vegetables, Mushrooms, Specialty Crops, Risk and Farm
Business Management. More recently Jennifer held the General Manager position for the BC Chicken
Growers’ Association before relocating to Sidney BC in March 2024.
Wendy Woollard, Treasurer
- Committees:
- ArtSea Finance Committee
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
ArtSea is very grateful to Wendy for her time, energy, and dedication in serving as Treasurer. She joined the ArtSea Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on July 6, 2023, and continues to provide thoughtful guidance and support in this important role.
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.
Joanne Helm, Director
- Committees:
- First Nations Exhibition Committee
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
ArtSea first welcomed Joanne to the ArtSea Board of Directors at the ArtSea AGM on July 6th, 2023. ArtSea is grateful to Joanne for her active role in supporting arts and culture in the community.
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
- Committees:
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
Mary joined the ArtSea Board of Directors in early 2024 and continues to offer thoughtful perspectives and insights that help guide the organization.
Mary moved with her husband from Qualicum Beach 8 years ago to Central Saanich to be near family. Before that Mary and her husband ran their two successful businesses on the Lower Mainland before coming to the Island in 2009. After working part time for several years, Mary recently retired to care full time for her husband and to enjoy being a grandmother.
I have volunteered for various organisations from Delta Hospital Foundation to house docent at Milner Gardens and many in between. Currently I am Secretary on our Strata Council as well as board member at Artsea.
Michelle Ford, Interim Director
- Committees:
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
- Fundraising Events Director
ArtSea is thrilled to welcome Michelle Ford as an Interim Director to the ArtSea Board of Directors (October 2025); her enthusiasm and energy are sure to inspire creativity and collaboration within the organization.
Michelle has a MA Fine Art from the UK and works as a gallerist, art writer and framing specialist. Only limited by her imagination, she comes with ideas and the energy required to accomplish. She is an exhibiting artist and travel enthusiast and doesn’t believe in the word “impossible.
Donna McNeely, Interim Director
- Committees:
- ArtSea Gallery Volunteer Committee
- ArtSea Gallery Transition Volunteer
- SPACG Adjudication Committee
ArtSea is pleased to welcome Donna McNeely to the ArtSea Board of Directors (November 2025) as an Interim Director. Donna has been an invaluable member of the ArtSea Gallery Team, welcoming weekly renters to the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park. This experience will give her a meaningful perspective on the needs of artists, renters, and the broader community as she joins the Board.
In my early career I was a primary and elementary school teacher in Winnipeg and Kelowna.
Moving to Sidney in1984 I chose to work for myself and owned and operated three successful businesses over the next thirty years. After taking an early retirement I found more time to paint.
After years of fabric arts and silk painting, watercolour pencils captured my imagination. When I joined ArtSea six years ago the wonderful volunteers encouraged me to show and sell my little paintings at the Artist’s Studio Tours. Now I have combined my love of painting with teaching and offer watercolour pencil lessons in the winter months.
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.
ArtSea Media and Gallery Contractor (part-time contractor): Tori Jones
We are thrilled to welcome Tori Jones back to the ArtSea team! Tori has worked with ArtSea on various projects, including the Sidney Art Walk and the Virtual Artist Tours. Tori joined the team in April 2025 as a part-time contractor to help with social media and support the ArtSea Gallery Team.
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!
Thanks to our Past Board Members, Staff and Contractors!
Patty Wilson
As Past President, Patty provided historical information, advice, and strategic direction. As a long-standing ArtSea executive, Patty served in many areas of the organization including, ArtSea President, Director of the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park, and helped to organize events including Artisans, Taste of Tulista and Small Expressions. Patty is a textile and visual artist. Patty resigned from the ArtSea Board in March 2025 and will be missed!
Susan Irvine
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!
Arts Coordinator (part-time staff)
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)
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.
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 30+ 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
ArtSea is fortunate to operate within the unceded territory of the Coast Salish People – within the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation – Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout and Tseycum peoples.
