Nanaimo Arts Council

Catalyst for Creative Community
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Board and Team

A photo of the Nanaimo Harbourfront, featuring a bridge and trees being reflected in water.

2024-2025

STEVE SCOTT

President

Steve Scott’s strong creative passion led him to be a Production Designer and Art Director in the TV and Film industry, which he has been part of for almost 28 years. He has procured 68 film credits to his name, and has received a LEO nomination, as well as an Emmy nomination in Art Direction. His film credits are in a wide variety of genres: Drama, Comedy, Horror, and Action/Sci-Fi.

In addition, he has been the creative director/owner of a freelance marketing company for 32 years, where they provide Branding, Marketing and Website Builds for several small and medium international companies and entrepreneurs.

Steve is most happy to provide his business and creative direction skillset to the Nanaimo Art Council, as well as include any connections of his several long-term relationships within both the TV/Film industry, and the business world. The future is brighter when we all come together.

STEPHANIE ROTH

Vice President

Stephanie Roth is a distinguished figure in the musical theatre industry, boasting over 36 years of experience since her professional debut at age 16. A graduate of Sheridan College’s esteemed Musical Theatre Program, Stephanie’s career trajectory has been marked by noteworthy achievements. Her performances have graced stages across North America, from the US Broadway Tour of RENT to the original Canadian production of The Who’s Tommy.
 
Currently on the faculty at The Canadian College of the Performing Arts in Victoria, Stephanie’s commitment to education transcends the classroom. Her upcoming role as Violet Newstead in 9 to 5: The Musical underscores her ongoing passion for the arts. In 2022, she established the Stephanie Roth Performing Arts Studio offering inclusive performing arts programming for all ages.
 
Beyond her roles as performer and educator, Stephanie’s impact extends into community engagement and production. Notably, her collaboration with The Arts Council of Ladysmith & District earned her the prestigious New Horizons Grant for Seniors in 2023, highlighting her commitment to using the arts as a means of connection and inspiration for diverse audiences.
 
Stephanie’s unwavering dedication to nurturing talent across all age groups defines her career. Her expertise and enthusiasm continue to shape the landscape of the performing arts, leaving an indelible mark on her students and audiences alike. Residing in Ladysmith, B.C., with her family Stephanie remains a guiding light for aspiring performers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with passion.

DANA SMILEY

Treasurer

Dana Smiley has been a member of the Nanaimo Arts Council since early 2000. She held a variety of positions starting with working the front desk at North Town Centre, planned many member shows, and organized some Art Around Town exhibitions. She joined the Board of Directors in 2016, holding various positions including Vice Chair and acting Treasurer, and kept the organization’s accounts as bookkeeper from 2017 until 2019.

She organized campaigns for the Cancer Society and presently organizes the Arts and Craft Sale held at the Nanaimo Golf Club, where she has been a golf member since 2007. In 1967 she and her husband moved to Nanaimo where they raised a son and daughter, and now have 3 grandchildren.

In 1983 she took an Accounting Technician Course, subsequently working as a bookkeeper for various Nanaimo companies until 2007. She presently works from home doing books for Creative City Networking of Canada.

Dana started painting in 2000. She currently works in acrylic, and also operates a small business dealing in knitted toques and other items. She is looking forward to being part of the NAC Board to help move the organization into the future.

STEVEN DENNIS, PhD, MBA

Director, Fund Development

Steven was the founder and CEO of a social and market research firm specializing in program evaluation, data management and custom research programs. He also taught research and program evaluation methods to graduate students at the University of Alberta. As a social scientist, he assisted governments, NFPs and businesses by mining data to measure performance and inform consumer engagement efforts. Among his clients were museums, galleries and arts organizations seeking to assess their community impact and discover alternative ways to engage their audiences. The Dennis family also supports the arts through a Community Foundation by awarding an annual scholarship to a high school graduate pursuing a career in the visual or performing arts. Steven and his wife, Sandra, retired in Nanaimo.

JENAYA SHAW

Program Coordinator

Jenaya Shaw is a fourth-year student at VIU, majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Psychology. She has grown up writing in the Cowichan Valley, a passion that blossomed into 3+ years of experience editing and helping others improve their own writing. She was Art Director for Portal 2024, and has a book review of Burning Sage: Poems from the Lytton fire by poet Meghan Fandrich published there, as well as photography titled “Wall Crawler,” “Match Made,” and others. Jenaya is Managing Editor of VIU’s The Navigator Student Press, which publishes student journalism and literary works; several of her articles can be read there. She has dabbled in English tutoring, portrait painting, and photography, and spent her childhood fishing and sailing the West Coast of Vancouver Island with her family in a 1972, 32-ft Ericson called Windfall. She has recently found home in the Nanaimo Arts Council’s team as an intern for the Islands Short Fiction Review 2024, and is excited to move ahead into her next big projects, Life on the Waterfront and Art Walk.

NAMRATA VERMA

Director at Large

Namrata Verma is an accomplished Business Development Analyst with a robust academic foundation and a diverse professional background. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Vancouver Island University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Honors) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University.

Throughout her career, Namrata has demonstrated her expertise in economic development, business administration, and research. At the Petroglyph Development Group, the economic development arm of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, she contributed significantly to economic diversification and reconciliation initiatives. Her role as an Operations Analyst further honed her skills in business development, specifically involving Indigenous communities and policy design. In addition to her professional experience, Namrata is proficient in grant and proposal writing, funding related research, and the use of MS Suite, business dashboards, Monday.com, and Canva. She has also served as Treasurer for the Parks Canada Club at Vancouver Island University, showcasing her leadership and organizational skills.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Namrata has a keen interest in the Nanaimo Arts Council. She appreciates the vibrant arts scene in Nanaimo and is eager to contribute to the community’s cultural and artistic initiatives. Her involvement with the Nanaimo Arts Council reflects her dedication to supporting local arts and fostering creative expression within the community.

JULIE MADDEN

Director at Large

I grew up in Ontario, where my early passion for the arts was nurtured through formal education and personal exploration. My journey led me to York University, where I studied Fine Arts Cultural Studies. This multidisciplinary education in fine, performing, and new media arts enriched my appreciation and understanding of their cultural significance.
 
Currently, I serve as the Director of Sales and Marketing for The Harbourview District, where we are undertaking a major project to redevelop Nanaimo’s downtown south end. My role encompasses strategic planning, event management, and community engagement. I find great joy in creating spaces and opportunities for people to connect and thrive, reflecting the transformative power of the arts.
 
I firmly believe that a thriving arts community is the backbone of any culturally rich and diverse city. Both personally and professionally, I am deeply committed to fostering this in Nanaimo. I am particularly excited about enhancing community engagement, especially among those less familiar with the arts. I am confident that my skills and experiences will contribute significantly to the Nanaimo Arts Council’s mission and activities, helping to nurture and expand our vibrant local arts scene.

LARISA D’SOUZA

Director at Large

Larisa is an MBA student at Vancouver Island University with a background in finance. She has a passion for arts and creativity, believing in their transformative power to bring people together and inspire change. As a supporter of local arts initiatives, Larisa has been actively involved in volunteering for community events and projects that celebrate artistic expression.

Larisa is excited to join the Nanaimo Arts Council, where she hopes to contribute to the vibrant arts community in Nanaimo. She looks forward to supporting and promoting the arts, bringing her creativity,
enthusiasm, and skills to the team.