Meet the Team
Since our founding in 2021, Arts & Culture Society has developed and grown in a positive direction. We’re very proud of the diversity of our Board, and their abilities to contribute their own unique experience and skills to our success. Find out more about some of our Board members below.
Laura Davis
President
Laura values Arts & Culture as a catalyst to effect change and make a difference in people's lives. Her passion is with the arts and as a classically trained soprano for many years she has seen the power of the arts in healing, bringing community together as well as providing a platform for sheer entertainment/experience. Laura is a retired Governmental Accountant, City & Borough of Juneau, Alaska. where she assisted in the prepration of the City’s Annual Financial Statement / Budget which received awards from GFOA and MFOA. Five years education and training as a Classical Soprano. Laura has been a Soloist for Choirs and Ensembles for 15 years. She also was an Administrative Officer for the Juneau International Airport. Consultant for Not for profit organizations, charities, small business. Laura retired Finance Officer - Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue HQ in 2018. Past President, Treasurer, Director - West Shore Arts Council 2013 – 2018. Laura is the founding member and current President of the Arts & Culture Colwood Society.
Christine Millar Chase, B.ED, B.A. Hons, M.A.
Vice President
Christine has over 30 years experience in education, and extensive experience as an events coordinator. She has volunteered in a variety of capacities: as an arts docent and program coordinator -Mackenzie Art Gallery, treasurer for youth Tennis Club Regina, convener of interest groups, committee chair, Vice President Newcomers Club of Greater Victoria and Chairperson, Secretary for another local Arts Organization. Christine is now a research and writing consultant and tutors private students. Christine has a B.Ed., and have Honors B.A. and a Master of Arts from the University of Regina.
Melody Liu
Treasurer
Melody has over 17 years of experience in international business and trade in the private and public sectors. She is a seasoned professional with a passion for finance and accounting. In 2019, she completed a Master of Global Management program at Royal Roads University, further enhancing her skills and knowledge in the field. Currently, Melody works for a local municipality in supply chain and government procurement, where she applies her expertise to help manage the financial operations of the organization.
Melody is not only enthusiastic about finance but also has a love and appreciation for the arts. She enjoys exploring different forms of artistic expression and is excited to contribute to the arts community.
Wendy Ferguson
Secretary
Wendy retired after a career of 36 years, 28 years working in various ministries of the Province of BC Government. For most of her career, she worked in an executive environment as an Executive Assistant and Senior Executive Assistant and has extensive experience managing the administrative services of an executive office. Early in her career, Wendy worked for the Canadian Coast Guard and moved on to the Children’s Commission, Public Service Agency and the Ministry’s of Education, Advanced Education and Health. She also volunteered for the Victoria Police department. She has lived in Colwood since 2010 and is excited to participate and contribute to the Arts & Culture Colwood Society
Farley Cates
Director at Large
A retired community planner and project management consultant, Farley has been active in the greater Victoria arts and cultural community since retiring here in 2016. He is a visual artist working in a number of media. He currently serves on the boards/committees of Theatre Inconnu, the Victoria International Jewish Film Festival for which he is co-director, the Centre for Inquiry Canada-Victoria, and the Victoria Culture Project, along with co-organizing a couple of speakers forums. He has also assisted other community groups and non-profits in an advisory capacity.
Eve Millington
Director at Large
Eve has worked over 25 years in the corporate entertainment industry. As a Director of Sea Mill Productions, Eve created, produced and managed innovative programs and cultural events for corporate clients from local businesses, to national and international executive associations, earning a solid reputation for excellence along the way.
Eve is also co-founder and Executive Director of The Lou Williamson Scholarship Fund, a private foundation and registered charity. Since 2011, the LWSF has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to music students and musicians across Canada, including a legacy music award at the Schulich School of Music, McGill University. The foundation is also a proud supporter of the Victoria Symphony.
Eve is looking forward to working with the Arts and Culture Colwood Society in promoting and showcasing a broader spectrum of artistic talent in the Westshore.
Deborah Czernecky
Advisor / Visual Arts
Deborah is an Elected Member of the Society of Canadian Artists and an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Deborah has produced a divers body of "en plein air" work reflecting her travels in Canada. Ducks Unlimited selected her work "Morning Row" for its 2018 Art Portfolio. In addition to being an accomplished painter, Deborah has been active on numerous Art Organizations Boards, including a founding member of the Coast Collective Art Centre
Katherine Paquette
Director at Large
Katherine has a wealth of experience in event management and planning, having successfully delivered various events such as conferences, workshops, social events, and fundraisers. She combines strong business acumen with a flair for multitasking and organization, which allows her to handle multiple projects and deadlines effectively. She also mentors and trains teams of staff and volunteers to ensure high standards of customer service and quality outcomes. She is passionate about the arts, a non-profit organization that supports local artists and cultural events in the community. She believes that art enhances our lives and culture in manifold ways, such as stimulating creativity, advancing social justice, and celebrating diversity. Katherine is a published child author who wrote a book about children promoting kindness and love. She is a keen reader who likes to discover different genres and topics. She also enjoys engaging with artists from different backgrounds and perspectives, as she believes that art can build bridges and foster dialogue.