Esther Brown, currently serving as the Oliver Community Arts Council’s Vice President, will be moving to Vancouver Island in August.  She is pictured enjoying the conversation at July’s Arts Jam at the Quail’s Nest.  

Esther became a business member of the arts council in 2005 as the owner of Handworks Gallery. She added a strong voice to the Board and helped the arts council develop a more professional business model to its operations and programming. From Board director, she was elected Vice President and later served three terms as the President. Her gallery soon became an unofficial arts council office  and gathering place.

When Esther “retired” the gallery in 2011, she also took a leave as executive officer, returning to a less demanding role as Board director. But she admitted to missing some of the action, and was warmly received as Vice President for 2012.  

Esther will be remembered for her inclusive attitude at the Board table, often asking “What say you all?” and pointedly inviting each director to share their views on an agenda item before a motion was called for.  Direct, firm, and fair, Esther encouraged annual reviews of programmes, inviting many guest speakers and facilitators to educate and stimulate the Board.

We will all miss her ready laugh, her fabulous coffees and wines, tales of her world travels, and her listening ear. Enjoy your extended “holiday lifestyle” on the Island, but come back often to — you know it — the heart of BC art in Oliver!