New Board Members joined the Fort St. John Arts Council at the recent Annual
General Meeting held at the Artspost.
Twenty four attendees at the meeting representing the member groups voted in
(from right to left standing) Chairman Rosemary Landry, Director Anita
Anderson, Director Margaret May, Director Tanya Shymko. Left to right is
Communications Director Sue Popesku, Treasurer Connie Desfosses, Director
Megan Singh and Secretary Connie Surerus.

Wally Ferris, City of Fort St. John Community Services Director, was the
guest speaker at the meeting. The Arts Council looks forward to working with
the City of Fort St. John in furthering the development of arts and culture
in the community. Twenty eight member groups reported on their activities
and each of those groups is responding to the unprecedented increase in
demand for their services, lessons, workshops, events, competitions and
activities. They continue to explore resourceful ways to meet their budgets
while expanding to meet the needs of our growing community. Children’s
activities are the fastest growing sector of all the arts.

The 3rd Annual SAND SENSATIONS BC in July was a smashing success. The World
Best Pies at the Fall Fair continue to tantalize the taste buds of the fair
goers. The Artspost has been able to meet the annual $42,000 budget for
operation thanks to the volunteer efforts in fundraising, the tax exemption
of the City of Fort St. John and the newly formed Patron program which
attracted over 25 supporters in its first year of development.

The Arts Council is looking ahead to 2017 when the community will be
celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Arts Council, the 75th Anniversary
of the Building of the Highway and the 150th Celebration of Confederation.
This will be the year to begin planning.