Cartoon By Wendy Brown
Bio
Born and raised in the town currently called Powell River, BC Canada in the beautiful traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation people
I discovered a love of dance and acting at a young age as well as figure skating competitively
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Attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, California - two year invitation-only diploma program
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Spent many years performing in film, TV, theatre and musical productions and eventually directing, producing, writing, dance choreography, costume design, and set design
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I lived on a sailboat for a bunch of years exploring the BC Coast.
Work Life
I have worn many hats in my life and have held many different jobs like professional figure skating coach; dance teacher; working in the pulp & paper mill; harbour wharfinger; different receptionist jobs; sales associate in an art gallery; and running a scallop dive boat to name a few.
One day I realized that I really wanted to learn how to use power tools and build stuff and so I began working in the construction industry. I started out at the ground level as a labourer and first aid attendant, moved up to apprentice carpenter and then I attained an Architectural Drafting & Design Certificate, and spent 20 years as an architectural designer and project manager.
In 2006 I became certified as a BUILT GREEN® builder and have focused on building more energy efficient homes and using more sustainable materials.
I have designed hundreds of homes in our region on the upper Sunshine Coast of BC.
As a Project Manager, I completed the construction of 34 units of rental housing for the POWELL RIVER SUNSET HOMES SOCIETY with a mix of subsidized and market rentals for seniors 55 and over. We achieved a 39% reduction in energy use aa well as 39% reduced ghg emissions from the NECB standards and have installed a pv solar array on the roof. All apartments have ductless heat pumps for a more comfortable and efficient home year round. Upon completion, the project was awarded BUILT GREEN® GOLD Certification.
Arts/Culture/Community
Artistic director for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Celebration for Powell River
Opening Ceremonies Director & Special Events Coordinator for the 2007 BC Disability Games
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Coordinator and Chair - BC Festival of the Arts in 1997
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Opening & Closing Ceremonies for Kathaumixw Choral Festival 2016
Dance coach and choreographer - kids, youth & adults
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2010 Torch Relay Celebration Photos by Robert Colasanto
Social Justice
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Produced, directed, performed "The Vagina Monologues" numerous times over the years with some amazing local women performers raising money for VDAY and the Powell River Transition House Society.
Powell River participated in "ONE BILLION RISING" in 2013 which was touted as "The Biggest Mass Global Action To End Violence Against Women & Girls In The History Of Humankind."
Civic Leadership
I have been honoured to have been a former two term City Councillor in the City of Powell River (2014 to 2022).
My main focuses while elected were Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation solutions; strategies for reducing our waste that is sent to landfill; reconciliation and relationship building with Indigenous peoples; more responsible development; social action & planning; arts, culture & heritage; youth engagement and making our community a more livable, resilient city.
Served two terms as one of the Municipal Directors appointed to the qathet Regional District Board and served as Chair of the Powell River Regional Hospital District Board for four years.
Chair of the Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Committee and one of the Youth Council mentors.
Photo by Robert Colasanto
Youth Council
Community Building
I believe building community is one of the most important things we can do and that we all play a part in setting that community up for success.
Whether it's a town, a neighborhood, a theatre community, a group of likeminded youth, a building full of seniors, a group of middle-aged women who transform into cabaret performers for kicks or a roller derby team; building a healthy, vibrant, and thriving community is what I am compelled to do and want to continue doing in many different ways, well into the future.
