www.facebook.com/reddeerartscouncil
Board Members & Staff
Ula-Erin Chauvet - Chairperson
I have been involved with Community Arts Councils in every community I have lived in. Kamloops and Merritt. Since moving to Red Deer in the summer of 2022 I have attended several First Fridays, studio tours and recently the 50th anniversary soiree. I am also a member of the Red Deer Arts Council and read the newsletters to see what is happening in our community. I have served on many different boards over the years and have worked for a few boards as well. Including the Kamloops Arts Council executive board 2006-2012/ 2019. I was an active volunteer on many of their committees that oversaw, Art in the Park, Art Walks, Children’s Art Festival and Art Exposed. I also served on the Nicola Valley Arts Council (Merritt BC) 2012-2014 on the executive board.
New to Red Deer but I have had the opportunity to met some wonderful people while I was working at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre (WEES). One of my former coworkers now over sees programs at the MAG and another is on the Arts Commission Board for the City of Red Deer. Currently I can’t put a number to contributions but, “I also don’t sit still well” and will also make time for commitments that I have signed up for. Three Qualities of a Board Member: Consideration or Curiosity, Consistency & Communication
I have over 30 years of experience of being involved and organizing programs and events that are arts/culture related. I have been a Gallery Coordinator, Program manager for a BIA that ran a Banner Arts Festival, Creative Exterior Makeovers, speaker at Arts BC events, and ran workshops for arts, assist up and coming arts on organizing and promoting their first exhibits etc.
What do you expect from the organization? An opportunity to be around like-minded people. I work best as a team, as for my personal attributes I’m creative but also stick to a task at hand. I lead by example.
Janice Shimek - Vice Chair
With over 30 years of experience serving the Red Deer community, I have dedicated my career to working with non-profit organizations, specializing in event coordination, marketing, fund development, and public relations. As the former Promotions Director for the Downtown Business Association (DBA), I played a key role in fostering local business engagement and community events. My passion for the arts led me to collaborate with the CentreFest Board, where I helped present the annual festival before stepping into the role of Festival Director in 2013, a position I held until COVID. I have also contributed my expertise as a board member for organizations like the Red Deer Arts Council (2013–2018). Now, having returned to the Red Deer Summer CentreFest Society, I remain committed to strengthening community connections and supporting the vibrant cultural landscape of Red Deer.
Kevin Enright - Treasurer
Retired from the food service and food production industries, Kevin Enright is a local singer songwriter, and luthier. Kevin is also "Pop Pops" to three young grandchildren who mean the world to him and his wife Barb. Kevin and Barb came to Red Deer over thirty years ago, and now with children and grandchildren living in the area, they call Red Deer home.
Kevin has been a board member since March 2023, and enjoys volunteering and giving back to the arts community.
From small and large venue music events, to theatre, improv, art exhibits, written and spoken word, much of Kevin's "spare" time is spent enjoying the arts community in Red Deer.
Annie Burik - Secretary
Annie Burik is a dynamic business owner, and one of a kind artist whose creative journey weaves through graphic design, fine arts, and entrepreneurial ventures. Originally from Montreal, Annie now proudly represents the vibrant art scene and culture of Alberta, where her multidisciplinary talents have flourished over the past 25 years.
Annie Burik is a proud member of the Red Deer Arts Council and serves on their board of directors. Her skills and events coordination experience set her apart in her community involvements. Annie is also vice-president of the Penhold Museum & District Society, where she also teaches weekly art classes. Her love and dedication to her local community is shown and reflected in her personal and career path as a business owner.
Annie Burik's diverse portfolio and entrepreneurial spirit illustrate her passion for art and design.
Marnie Blair - Director
Marnie Blair, she/her is a white settler from Northwestern Ontario. She received a BFA with distinction from Lakehead University and an MFA from the University of Calgary. Her current practice in print media aims to recontextualize early modern medical flap anatomy.
She has studied at the Royal College of Art in London, UK, the Studio Art Centres International in Florence, Italy and has interned at Manhattan’s Lower East Side Print Shop. Blair has worked as the Print and Paper Facilitator at the Banff Centre, taught at Thompson Rivers University, and is currently an instructor in the School of Creative Arts at Red Deer College, located in Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and the Metis ancestral lands.
Kelvin Christenson - Director
Kelvin Carl Christensen (Kelly) was born in Red Deer in 1954. He grew up in Consort, Alberta and considers this the hometown of his youth. He led a late ‘70s Rock Band named "Chinook" while in high school, playing dance halls and local bars etc. Kelly joined the Canadian Navy in 1972. He entered the Radio and TV Arts program at NAIT upon release, then worked as a radio news reporter and Anchor at various Alberta radio stations for 20 years. He later apprenticed as a plumber to make enough money to raise a family. A father of 3 girls, he began painting as a hobby in the ‘80s and got serious about it 5 years ago. It’s actually an obsession now...
Mary Jane Morrison - Director
I am passionate about the ability of persons with intellectual and physical disabilities to access quality arts programming within their community and the Hub 2.0 provides these opportunities. I have followed the Arts Council newsletter and community programming since my adult children with disabilities began attending and volunteering at Arts Council supported programs in the City of Red Deer. Approximately ten years. I have participated in some of the fundraising activities as well.
I have been on the board for the Cerebral Association in Alberta Red Deer, Girl Guides of Canada, Red Deer Action Group and Central Alberta Residence Society (now known as Etana).
Over my forty years volunteering within the community I have made many connections, especially within the disability community of Red Deer and Alberta. Between five to ten hours a month seems reasonable. If I commit to doing something, I’m always dependable. There are times, however that I am needed to be at the bed side of my family member should they become ill or hospitalized. The qualities of a good board member are commitment, compassion and connection to the community served.
Ali Misener - Director
With a background in psychology and sociology and an extensive knowledge of 80’s pop culture, Ali Misener is an accomplished public speaker and digital marketing expert. Ali first started to grasp and explore the significance of digital marketing as a radio host and news anchor in both Ontario and Alberta. Over the last decade, she has helped develop and grow a unique and successful career as an executive trainer, consultant, writer, content director, and public speaker. Ali’s understanding of digital marketing’s powerful applications for local business targeting has put her in rooms across Alberta, training businesses and speaking on social psychology, content strategy, e-commerce, and online success. Ali helps business owners and marketing professionals make the most of their digital assets. She lives in Blackfalds with her rescue cats Nora and Evie.
Sonia Montes Figueroa - Director
Originally from Honduras, Sonia Montes Figueroa is a lawyer, author, and community advocate with a passion for the arts. She has experience in criminal litigation, civil litigation, and immigration law, and is currently an Articled Student with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service in Red Deer.
Beyond her legal career, Sonia is deeply involved in community work. She founded Operacion Fuga de Cerebros in British Columbia, a nonprofit supporting immigrant community, and serves as Vice President of the Central Alberta Inclusive Latino Association, promoting cultural and social initiatives.
Sonia has a strong artistic background, having written and published a book, performed in amateur musical and other social cultural events, enjoys dancing, is a theatre enthusiast, and supporter of classical and contemporary performances. Her love for the performing arts has taken her to experience ballets, operas, concerts, and musicals across the world in Sydney, Vienna, London, the U.S., Cuba, Canada, and Honduras.
Sonia has a commitment to fostering artistic expression and cultural inclusion and hopes to contribute her leadership, creativity, and diverse experiences to the Red Deer Arts Council, supporting its mission to grow the local arts community.
Jason O'Connor - Director
Jason O'Connor, a Métis visual artist based in Alberta, specializes in 'Urban Tribalism' art, fusing global cultures, cities, animals, and mystical symbols. His studio is on an acreage just outside of Sylvan Lake.
By day, he's a marketing professional skilled in graphic design and copywriting. By night, he's a dedicated artist. Jason's unique blend of art and business acumen makes him an useful addition to the Red Deer Arts Council board, where he's eager to contribute his creativity and marketing expertise.
Ian Warwick - Director
Ian Warwick has over 35 years of experience in arts and cultural management, communications, and fundraising. At the University of Calgary, he managed over 100 public events annually, including the opening of the Rozsa Centre for Music. He later became the Faculty of Fine Arts’ first Director of Development and External Relations, helping raise over $7 million.
Since moving to Red Deer in 2007, Ian has held roles in communications and fundraising with the David Thompson Health Region and Red Deer College before becoming the first Executive Director of Sunnybrook Farm Museum where he has overseen an extensive south development project with over $2.5 million in new facilities. An active musician on saxophone and voice, he has performed across Canada and internationally, and as a sound editor recorded albums for numerous artists.
Ian has served on multiple boards, including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and has held leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Central Alberta Regional Museums Association, and the Cultural Development Association of Red Deer. He is currently President of the Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise.
Staff
Kristina Miko
Admin & Events - Visual Arts Lead
Kristina is a Visual Artist and a mother of 3 wonderful boys. Early in her childhood, she always loved creating crafts and painting. She started with watercolours and taking some adult classes in Bonnyville, AB, but paused my art journey for 15 years due to raising a young family and to focus of finances. With few options up North, she was led to a career in the oilfield from 2006 – 2018. Even with disappointing experiences in that career, becoming an artist was always a passion and she picked up the paintbrush again in 2018 with the inspiration to start again.
Her family moved to Red Deer in 2019, and with the pandemic, she decided to jump on the opportunity to go back to college and complete the Visual Arts Program at Red Deer Polytechnic. She graduated in 2023 from Red Deer Polytechnic with the Visual Arts Diploma and quickly found my first job at the Harman Sculpture Foundry Inc. creating bronze public art sculptures. After a layoff due to project shortages, she focused on her art business and creative practice and volunteered extensively with the Red Deer Arts Council. In July 2024, she was hired on there and puts to use many of her technical and administrative skills in the role to best serve the local arts community.
Scott Barnabé
Admin & Events – Performing Arts Lead
My name is Scott and I am the performing arts lead here at the Red Deer Arts Council.
I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan. I owned the Buns Master Bakery for 12 years and then went on to do tax work for H&R block, as quality Control Supervisor. The I spent the last 20+ years doing Farm Sale Tax planning work.
How did I get involved in the arts? I was on the board of the Waskasoo Bluegrass Music Society (which supports one of our scholarships). We joined the Cultural Charter Partners, and somewhere along the way I became the Chair of that organization.
In 2010 I was involved in the merger of the Allied Arts Council, Culture Link (Mr. Ian Warwick here at the table) and CCP. Afterwards, I held various positions on the board. Termed out once or twice and now I’m here as an employee.
I play guitar, some bass, violin (when my shoulder can take it) and an ever so slight amount of mandolin. I welcome all of you to the Board.
Suzanne Hermary
Executive Director
she/her/elle
Suzanne Hermary grew up in Red Deer on lands farmed by her northern French immigrant family and Scottish settlers via Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She is grateful to reside on the lands of Treaty 6 & 7 territory, which is also home to a Métis gathering place where stories, arts, and culture have been shared for innumerable generations. She studied French Immersion and performed in shows at a school that was built upon her family’s homestead on the North Hill. She loved to perform from a young age and worked with Tree House Youth Theatres in her teen years while also participating in school productions.
She studied music and completed the Theatre Studies Performance diploma program at Red Deer College, then continued her studies at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, eventually graduating with Honours from Sheridan's Bachelors of Musical Theatre Performance Program after completing their degree expansion program in 2018.
Living in Toronto and Paris with many travels abroad developed Suzanne’s love of fine arts, architecture, food, history, culture, music, and literature. Her desire to share these passions with others led to her career as a travel agent, helping others to discover new experiences at home and abroad. Suzanne has volunteered with local theatre companies to direct, perform, and produce plays and musicals since her return to her hometown.
Red Deer has both a vibrant music community and a theatre community, so she developed the Broadway Open Mic sessions for people to share their love of musical theatre. During the day, she works with artists of all genres in her role as Executive Director for the Red Deer Arts Council and she is excited to share her passion for arts and culture with the broader community.
