About the Cowichan Valley Arts Council

artwork by Robert Cerins Spring Into Fall Show, 2006

History

The Cowichan Valley Regional Arts Council was incorporated under the Societies Act on February 2, 1971.

The council's name was officially changed to Cowichan Valley Arts Council on November 15, 1979.

The Cowichan Valley Arts Council is a Registered B.C. NON-PROFIT Society.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council is to encourage and foster appreciation of the broad spectrum of arts and culture in the Cowichan Valley Region (CVRD), by serving artists and residents through advocacy, by building connections and partnerships and by enhancing both exposure to and participation in arts and culture.

The Cowichan Valley Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the support of the British Columbia Arts Council, The Assembly of BC Arts Councils, Pacific Region Arts Councils, BC Gaming Commission, Chances Cowichan.

Bylaws

The Bylaws of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council can be found here.

Strategic Planning

Read the CVAC Strategic Planning document.

Cowichan Valley Arts Council Board of Directors ~ 2011 / 2012

Judy Brayden - President

Judy joined CVAC in 2007, when she and her husband retired to the Cowichan Valley from Nanaimo. Judy currently operates her business, All Facets of Design, from her Cowichan River home. Past president of the Nanaimo Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Judy is not new to art organizations, nor to leadership. In her teaching career she served as professional development chair for over one thousand teachers and editor and president of the Teachers for Peace and Global Education professional association of the BC Teachers' Federation. Trained as a visual arts teacher, she enjoys printmaking and mixed media. She is committed to respectful processes that take CVAC to a new level of excellence.

Kate Richardson retired in 2000 from the Fraser Valley Health Region Information Services Division after thirty-nine years of varied service to the public. Her public board service has included: Planned Parenthood in Chilliwack, the Chilliwack Transition House Society, Elder College, Cobblehill Scouting Beavers, the Cowichan Valley Seniors Dragon Boat Society and the Jolly Dragons, a team paddling out of Cowichan Bay Marina. In 2010 she joined the Maple Bay Painters and this year was elected secretary. During her working career she held several executive positions in the B. C. Government Employees Union. She looks forward to being part of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council Board as a member at large.

Robert Radford is an honours graduate in Electrical Engineering from Queen's University, and has taken post-graduate courses in Business Administration, Personnel Management and Theology from the University of Toronto. His vocational pursuits have included being an airplane pilot and a commissioned officer in the Canadian Navy; a design and applications engineer in the international telecommunications industry; a business manager in Ontario Hydro's nuclear-electric program; the Director of Purchasing for Providence Centre, a 636-bed chronic-care facility in Toronto, and the Accounting Manager for I.O.O.F. of Ontario. Robert's avocations have included being an actor, singer and technician in live theatre, and being ordained as a teaching elder and church organist. Robert has served on the staffs and Boards of Directors of a number of not-for-profit and charitable organizations including, locally, the E.C.H.O. Players Theatre Society, the Bard to Broadway Theatre Society, the South Island Musical Theatre Society, the Nanaimo-Alberni riding association of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Oceanside Hospice Society, the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society and the Cowichan Toastmasters Club.

Renske has recently returned to live on the Island after a thirty year hiatus in Edmonton, Alberta. She was raised in the Cowichan Valley, and after graduating from Cowichan High, she lived and worked in London, England for a year. While living in Alberta, Renske served on the Board of the Riverdale Housing Co-op, received a diploma in Arts Administration from Grant MacEwan College, and raised a family. For the past twelve years she was employed as an Executive Administrative Assistant for the Ministry of Education. Renske is a passionate gardener, photographer, arts supporter. She enjoys traveling and watercolour painting. She joined CVAC as a Portal's host in January.

Christa Fox - Member at large

Rodger has a passion for "arts and culture" activities that benefit the entire community. Rodger comes with an extensive background in consultancy with government agencies and both he and his partner, Alison Nicholson, have been very active with non profits. Both the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the BC Arts Council have been clients of Rodger's management consultant practice. He has helped with policy, budgeting and planning.

Diane Manuel - Member at large

Diane moved to the Cowichan Valley in 1993 had began her work as a CVAC volunteer host two years ago. She has been a business person for many years, with experience from importing antiques to restaurant management. She continues to support her husband Paul and daughter Alexandra in their artistic endeavours and is continuing her ongoing support to the Arts Council and in PORTALS. She believes that art is a very important part of human identity.

A long-time resident of Vancouver Island and Royal Conservatory of Music trainee, Beverley was writing poetry early in life. She began composing music for the piano in her teens. Once she acquired a guitar the two expressions merged completely. The author of four published works in the American Poetry Anthology, 1989, Beverley McKeen performs everywhere music is enjoyed. The CVAC Board is thrilled to have Beverley bring her musical expertise to their work this year.

Chris has an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts, from Simon Fraser University, has completed graduate courses in Urban and Environmental Policy, and has a BA in Women's Studies, from Temple University. He is presently an Artist-Educator for Learning Through the Arts (an Innovative curriculum-based organization that partners artists with schools). Also as an employee of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Chris is a member of a small team of art educators who create and facilitate activities for families in the VAG. In his arts career he has managed budgets, facilitated tutorials, assessed student performance, danced in various set and improvised choreographies, and been active in community outreach projects. CVAC is thrilled that Chris and his family have chosen the Cowichan Valley as their new home. Welcome and we appreciate your willingness to volunteer in your new community.

Cory is a lawyer currently practicing at Orchard & Company in Duncan. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Vancouver Island University in 2003, and in 2008 she received her law degree from the University of Victoria. Since moving to Duncan, Cory has involved herself in the community by becoming a member of several cultural and community groups, including the Cowichan Valley Arts Council. Cory is pleased to share her time and legal knowledge with CVAC. When she is not in her office Cory can be found working out at the gym and exploring the Cowichan Valley during her fitness walks. Cory is thrilled to be living in the Valley, doing work she loves and meeting new people through her community involvement.

Suzan Kostiuck - Office Staff

Suzan received her B.F.A. from UVIC in 2008 and has been working in the visual arts for over five years, in galleries in Victoria, B.C. and as a volunteer with the Vancouver Island School of Art and the BC Archives. She has been the CVAC paid staff person since March 2010. She is also an emerging artist and photographer (see www.blackenwhite.net). Presently she is busy relocating her family to the Cowichan Valley, eagerly anticipating what the valley arts and culture scene has to offer.

Morgan Saddington - Office Staff

Morgan is a jewellery artist who works primarily in silver and copper. (www.morgananndesigns.com) She received her Associate Degree in Visual Arts from Camosun College in 1991 and has participated in numerous jewellery and metal-smithing courses over the years. Her work has been shown in various locations across southern Vancouver Island. She had the honour of receiving the "Best Jewellery Award" at the prestigious Sooke Fine Arts Show in 2010, for a piece titled "Entwined". As well as pursuing her jewellery making, Morgan spent over 19 years teaching dance in Victoria and the Westshore. In 2007 Morgan retired from teaching dance and relocated with her family to the Cowichan Valley. Morgan is thrilled to be part of the CVAC team.