Our
Team
Arts & Culture Colwood Society's Board of Directors
President: Kathleen Schmalz, president@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Kathleen possesses a robust background in Integrated Arts Education, having worked extensively in university programs, public school environments, and community arts initiatives. Her passion for creative cultural exploration has driven her to develop engaging workshops and interactive art projects that resonate with diverse audiences. As a dedicated full-time painter, she skillfully organizes a variety of activities, events, and exhibitions that nurture artistic expression and foster meaningful connections within the community. Through her commitment to the arts, she aims to inspire collaboration and create lasting cultural impacts.
Bring your ideas - let's collaborate to create something wonderful!
Vice President: Mike Wagar, vicepresident@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Mike Wagar brings a unique blend of analytical and entrepreneurial leadership to the board. A former structural engineer with a Master of Business Administration, Mike co-founded a successful real estate firm where he now serves as Head of Portfolio Management, bringing deep experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and team building.
Living just around the corner, Mike falls in love daily with Colwood's natural beauty and views the Arts Centre as the perfect cultural complement to that landscape. Mike does not consider himself an artist, but his creative outlet is photography. His true passion lies in ensuring this community gem thrives. He is eager to use his broad business background to build "bridges" through partnerships and corporate outreach, supporting a sustainable, long-term space where local artists can connect and collaborate.
Secretary: Dawn Rogal, secretary@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Dawn is a new transplant to Vancouver Island and is pleased to have found her community through volunteering at the Goldfinch Arts Centre. You can find her working in the gift shop and wrangling chairs at open mic night.
Dawn volunteered on the Executives and Boards of various arts groups in Saskatchewan. She brings extensive experience to the Arts and Culture Colwood Society Board of Directors.
Giftshop Director: Linda Kirstein, giftshop@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Linda has been the Manager of the Gift Shop at Goldfinch Arts Centre since it's inception in January 2025. She brings a history of strong organizational ability, people skills and problem solving to the role from her career as an Occupational Therapist.
Linda is responsible for managing the 35 volunteers who staff the Arts Centre, the 60+ artists who participate in the Gift Shop and an even greater number of artists who join us for the annual Gifts and Wishes Holiday Showcase.
Membership Engagement has always been part of Linda's role as Gift Shop Manager through the orientation of new members, and the organization of various programs and events to recognize the Society's volunteers. Linda plans to continue in her role as Gift Shop Manager, while taking on the additional responsibilities as a member of the Board of Directors.
Treasurer: Kerry Whelan Seifried, treasurer@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Kerry Whelan Seifried, CMA 2004. I worked for the National Research Council in a finance role from 1997 to 2013. This work was primarily management accounting, monitoring budgets, assuring compliance and contract review. After retiring in 2013 I joined several community groups and was on the Board of the BC Master Gardeners Association and later the Victoria Horticultural Society. On retirement I also developed my lifelong interest in the visual arts and have been a member of the ACCS since 2022. I look forward to applying my knowledge and skills to the ACCS.
Exhibition Director: Sheryl Parsons, goldfinch@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Sheryl graduated from the University of Victoria (UVIC) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting. She has been a member of various local art societies, devoting much of her time to the Coast Collective Art Society from its inception in 2009 until its closure in 2022. During that time, the Arts and Culture Colwood Society (ACCS) took over Coast Collective as its Visual Arts Program. Sheryl served on the board for the last two years, assisting with the transition to ACCS.
Now that ACCS has its own Art Centre in Colwood, Sheryl has volunteered for numerous gallery shifts and organized teams of volunteers for hanging and coordinating art shows. In the fall of 2024, she joined the board as Exhibition Director and is very excited about the future of the Arts Centre in Colwood, which is beautifully situated on the Esquimalt Lagoon, surrounded by natural parklands.
Performing Arts Director & Publicity Director: Allie Lima, performingarts@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Allie Lima combines a strong background in administration and operations with a passion for photography, textile art, and graphic design. A dedicated advocate for the Goldfinch Arts Centre, she works behind the scenes to promote local arts and culture and leads the Centre's Open Mic Nights, fostering creativity, connection, and community engagement. She is excited to continue growing the performing arts community and expanding the Centre's reach throughout the region.
Visual Arts Director: Deborah Czernecky, visualarts@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Deborah Czernecky is an accomplished Canadian artist based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In addition to her artistic practice, Deborah brings a strong commitment to arts advocacy and community engagement. She is particularly passionate about supporting emerging artists and fostering opportunities for public engagement with the arts. Deborah received formal training in fine arts from St. Lawrence College (graduating with distinction), the Mission Renaissance School (Old Masters techniques), and the University of Ottawa. She has been an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists since 2009 and has achieved national recognition through features such as the Ducks Unlimited National Art Portfolio. With a deep appreciation for Canada’s cultural and natural heritage, Deborah contributes thoughtful perspective, professional experience, and a collaborative spirit to her role on the board.
Director of Literary Arts: Rebecca McClure, literaryarts@artsandculturecolwood.ca
Rebecca McClure is a ceramic artist, writer, musician, and lifetime enthusiast of the literary arts. She has participated in both the Coast Collective and ACCS for several years as a gift shop artist, and she brings extensive experience on non-profit boards, including arts organizations and the Greater Victoria Library, where she is currently serving as a citizen representative. She was a founding member of the Shore to Shore Pottery Tour and helped organize last year’s A Well Clayed Table exhibit at ACCS. She looks forward to championing the written and spoken word in her new role as Director of Literary Arts on the ACCS board.
