Gabriola Arts Council Board of Directors
The Directors of the Gabriola Arts Council form a hard-working and committed volunteer Board that directs and guides the staff, volunteers, and the organization. We are always interested in hearing from members who have new ideas or who would like to volunteer to help with events or fundraising. Contact us!
Anne Poschmann | President | anne <at> artsgabriola.ca
Anne spent 35 years working as a geotechnical engineer with a consulting engineering company based in Ontario, travelling the world a bit with various projects. While working, Anne’s belief that geotechnical engineering is an art as opposed to an exact science (in that it takes a lot of imagination) satisfied some of her artistic urge while saving up for retirement. But then when retirement planning with her partner resulted in a paradise home purchase on Gabriola, she quickly shifted gears. After three years of part time living on Gabriola while looking after parents back in Oakville for the rest of the time, Anne has made the plunge and is now immersed in Gabriola life where the arts and community gardens are now her passions, including weeding of the GAC grounds.
Board member since February 2020
Sas Selfjord | Vice President | sas <at> artsgabriola.ca
Sas began her career in the investment industry with mutual fund management to stock trader for brokerage firms and as a consultant and educator delivering seminars designed to empower women with stock market strategies. Sas entered the nonprofit arena with Association of Neighbourhood Houses, becoming engaged in board development, volunteer support, program delivery and governance best practices. At 39 she started tap dance lessons! Thus began the tap journey; she co founded the Vancouver Tap Dance Society and assumed the role of Executive Director. In 2001 Sas moved to Gabriola with a thought that living on Gabriola and a focus on her leadership role at VanTap, just might be the perfect match. It proved to be right, she cannot imagine living anywhere else and her passion for tap remains endless. Joining the GAC board is another perfect match, contributing and traversing the rich arts on Gabriola, and yes, with a shuffle, step, stomp. Board member since February 2022
Brendalee Astells | Director |brendalee <at> artsgabriola.ca
Gabriola has been my home since 2014. Primarily a silversmith when I arrived, the natural beauty of the island and the many creative connections I have been fortunate to make during the past five years have encouraged me to explore different media including acrylics and watercolours. I’m a regular at seasonal craft fairs on Gabriola and Vancouver Island, participate in major island arts events like the Studio Tour, and Isle of the Arts. I plant flowers when I’m not busy making a mess in my studio. Board member since February 2020
Patricia Armstrong | Director | patricia <at> artsgabriola.ca
Patricia Armstrong is a professional violinist and music educator. She has performed with the Victoria Symphony, the Edmonton Symphony, the CBC Radio Orchestra, and, most recently, with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Patricia became a full- time resident of Gabriola in 2018, after having spent many years as a part-timer. Her family has roots on Gabriola that reach back to the 1930’s, and she is grateful to continue the legacy. Board member since March 2021
Ian Cox | Director |ian <at> artsgabriola.ca
Roweena Bacchus | Director |roweena <at> artsgabriola.ca
Roweena has been an admin assistant for 25 years at UBC. She worked with the Faculty of Education for the last 19 years and feels that arts and education co-mingle very well. She had been involved with Human Rights for the last 28 years and is a big supporter of the environment, boasting membership in Western Wilderness. Leaving the big city and moving to Gabriola is a shock to her audacious spirit of attending lectures, plays, protests, marches, etc. She dabbles in income tax preparation and stained glass. She is enjoying getting to know the art community and all that Gabriola has to offer. Board member since July 2021
Gordon Hall| Director |gord <at> artsgabriola.ca
Noella Sale | Director |noella <at> artsgabriola.ca
Board member since February 2023
Corinne Flaws | Director |corinne <at> artsgabriola.ca
Board member since February 2023
Ardyth Cooper | Director |ardyth <at> artsgabriola.ca
Board member since February 2023
Are you interested in joining GAC’s Board of Directors?
Our directors commit to a three-year term, and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Our Nominating Committee is always interested in receiving applications for board positions. Except under special circumstances, we elect new directors at our AGM in February. We are happy to receive applications at any time. Click here to download our application form. You can also click here to complete an online form. Thanks for your interest.
Staff
Carol Fergusson | Executive Director | carol <at> artsgabriola.ca
Carol joined the Arts Council in March 2020. Since arriving on Gabriola she has been involved with various aspects of GAC: Tour Central Producer, Canada Day Producer, Festival Merchandise Team Lead and Coordinator to name a few. Carol also owned a small art gallery on Gabriola and came to know the island’s artists on a professional and personal level. Trained as a fashion designer and having worked in the arts for most of her career, Carol looks forward to the challenges of Executive Director in carrying on with GAC’s mission, vision and mandate, as well as forging new paths.
