The Gallery is Three Years Old

We celebrate the accomplishments of the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District and recognize the many people whose time, expertise, and commitment have helped bring us to this important moment.
No strong plan comes together without a strong team. We are fortunate to have many dedicated people who have helped shape the work, growth, and future direction of this organization.

Building a Sustainable Gallery Model

More than three years ago, we began exploring the idea of creating a new gallery space. At first, we considered moving into the old train station and signed a memorandum of understanding with Island Corridor. Ora Steyn completed extensive research into what that option could look like, including whether the best approach would be a stick-built structure, a modular unit, or a trailer.

As our thinking evolved, we realized that renting a gallery space would better support our needs. When the Temperance Hotel was being renovated, I approached the owners and began discussing the possibility of placing our gallery in their commercial space. This month, we celebrate three years in that space. 

Under the guidance of our Gallery Manager, Francesca, the gallery’s business model has emerged as a successful and sustainable approach. From guest artists and monthly exhibitions to the boutique, the gallery has continued to grow in strength and visibility.

With the support of Kim Perry, Volunteer Coordinator; Kathy Holmes, Boutique Coordinator; Sophie Paisley, social media; Leona Petrak and the installation crew, the gallery has become a beloved and active community space.

Strengthening Financial Structure and Reporting

During this same period, we recognized that in order to sustain ourselves and grow, we needed to change how we understood and measured our work. Lorna Beecroft and I set a goal to redesign our financial reporting and develop a clearer way to evaluate our successes.

We created separate expense and revenue structures that allow us to track results by department, including Education, Gallery, Rentals, Boutique, Printmaking, and other areas of activity. By looking at the organization as a system of related business areas under the larger Arts Council umbrella, we gained better insight into decisions about marketing, structure, membership fees, and long-term sustainability. Lorna’s time, care, and expertise have helped make our financial information understandable, useful, and connected to decision-making.

Expanding Grant Capacity and Funding Success

We also realized that our grant application process needed to become more dynamic. At the time, we did not have an Executive Director with extensive grant-writing experience, and the board, including me, had limited experience applying for grants. As a result, we made the decision to hire a grant writer.

That contract grant writer is Carmen Hildabrand. She has proven to be essential to the health of this organization, and she and I work as a team to identify, select, and write grant applications. To date, this work has helped secure the largest grant in our history: a BC Arts Infrastructure Grant of $236,312. Carmen’s expertise in navigating, interpreting, researching, and carefully completing the details of each application was essential to receiving this grant.

Additional funding successes include:

Improving Operations and Education Programming

We hired Kathryn Stark as bookkeeper, and her weekly and monthly work has helped ensure that payments, records, and organizational processes are managed more efficiently. She has brought structure and consistency to our operations. In addition, Kathryn took on education programming and has streamlined, organized, and created new programming in this area. Education is an important part of our work: it is outreach, it supports our mandate, and it connects directly to our vision and mission.

Launching the New Website

There is also reason to celebrate our new website. As of June 15, we have a new website that will help us communicate more effectively with our members and the public. This initiative was led by Chris Earl, Ora Steyn, and Kim Perry, with participation from many others.

Growing and Supporting Membership

Membership is essential to this organization. It is one of the key indicators by which we are measured, and it provides important revenue that helps offset the cost of operating the gallery.

Laurie Campbell, our Membership Coordinator, is reviewing new opportunities to better market to our existing members and grow membership for the future.

Supporting Community Through the Arts

Kathy Holmes continues to find ways to build community through initiatives such as Spring Art Escape, handing out flags on Canada Day, creating programs with First Nations, and developing storybook walks. She does not miss an opportunity to integrate art into the life of the Ladysmith community.

Returning to the Waterfront Gallery

We can also celebrate that we now have occupancy at the Waterfront Gallery. We will return to a temporary space for our administration offices and classroom space on Monday, July 6, while our permanent space is undergoing construction.

Leasehold Improvements Underway

• The Printmakers studio flooring has been levelled.
• New electrical plugs and a sink are being installed.
• Two administration offices are being built.
• The classroom space is being measured for cabinets, sink installation, and related improvements.
• Flooring has been selected for the full 3,500 square feet.

AGM Board Update

• Andrea Rosato Taylor is returning to the board as President.
• Kim Perry is returning to the board as Vice President and will continue managing the Volunteer portfolio.
• Lorna Beecroft is returning to the board as Treasurer.
• Wendy Harding is beginning her two-year term as Secretary.
• Chris Earl is returning to the board as Software Account Coordinator.
• Laurie Campbell is returning to the board and will continue managing the Membership portfolio.
• Kathy Holmes is returning to the board to manage the Community Outreach portfolio.

Welcoming New Board Members

Marie Maddex

As a new director of the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District, Marie is excited to deepen her connection to the community and contribute to its creative scene. Island-born but new to Ladysmith, she looks forward to putting down roots and building meaningful local relationships. Marie works as an Investment Advisor with Integral Wealth Securities Ltd., where she is passionate about helping people navigate their financial lives. Outside of work, she is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, and her love of nature carries into her photography, where she enjoys capturing landscapes, wildlife, and portraits.

Michael Robinson

Michael Robinson has been associated with Ladysmith and District Credit Union for more than 25 years through his design and marketing company. For the past two years, he has worked in-house as the credit union’s Marketing Manager, developing investment, financial, insurance, and savings ideas and programs for members. In March 2026, Michael was recognized for his work on the Ladysmith and District Credit Union heritage timeline mural, which features more than 80 years of local history. He received a Ladysmith and District Historical Society Heritage Award for this work.

Thanking Outgoing Board Members

• Adrienne Jameson, Secretary
• Steen Hjort, Director
• Lawrence Phillips, Director
• Colleen youngblut, Director

Closing

If you have any questions or thoughts, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 250-268-1313.