SSNAP Society

Growing up in a household involved in the founding of the Agnes Etherington Art Center at Queen’s University, and hence a steady stream of artists visiting the family, it is inevitable that Janet would develop a love for the arts. She and her husband have collected First Nations art since the mid 1970s. While not a creator herself, Janet has been an active supporter of the arts community since moving to Salt Spring Island in 2007.

Sandra joined the Board at the AGM in 2024. She is committed to and passionate about the arts community on Salt Spring. Her love of particularly contemporary art, extends to being the central focus of many of her travel adventures. While not an artist herself, she supports artists through encouragement and collecting. Her volunteer activities extend to areas outside of the arts as she believes strongly in giving back and in the importance volunteering in her community. 

Leah Chang landed on Salt Spring Island in April 2024 and immediately began putting down roots—figuratively in the arts community and literally in her energetic garden. A proud Chinese-Canadian with a Bachelor and Master of Arts, Leah brings a rich academic background in language arts, music, and French literature. She’s a former educator turned eLearning consultant, blending creativity and strategy with a deep understanding of how people learn, connect, and grow.

Before embracing island life, Leah served three impactful years on the board of Arts New West (formerly the New West Arts Council), championing local arts initiatives and community engagement. She’s also led Neighbourhood Small Grants projects, always looking for ways to spark joy and connection at the grassroots level. Her passion for nonprofits is matched only by her love of dogs, cats, and the outdoors.

Leah is intentional about investing in the places she calls home—and Salt Spring is now that forever place. She believes in the power of contemporary art to connect people, inspire change, and celebrate diverse voices. For Leah, being part of SSNAPS means championing the idea that Canadian art belongs everywhere: in conversation and in community.

Jasper Gagne is an entrepreneur and artist with a deep commitment to the arts community. For many years she owned and operated the Yukon Art Gallery in Whitehorse, Yukon and founded multiple gift stores that actively promoted artists throughout the Canadian North. Since relocating to British Columbia, Jasper has been developing her skills as a fused glass artist and actively supports the local creative community financially as a director of The Wilding Foundation.

Heidi Kuhrt is a community-minded islander with a passion for creativity, connection, and supporting local arts. After ten years on Bowen Island—where she served on the municipal Economic Development Committee—she moved to Salt Spring in 2019 following a transformative year in Peru.

Heidi holds a degree in Science and began a Master’s in Architecture before working in a Vancouver firm as a designer and draftsperson. She later transitioned into real estate, a career she continues to pursue on Salt Spring Island.  

A lifelong dabbler in the arts, Heidi enjoys painting, pottery, and sewing. Since 2019, she has served as one of the Hobby Arts Coordinators for the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair, helping to showcase and celebrate the work of local artists and makers.

She also plays an active role in community resilience as a Neighborhood Coordinator for Salt Spring’s POD emergency preparedness program. A mother of two, Heidi is committed to fostering creativity, joy, and a strong sense of belonging in her community.

John moved to Salt Spring in 2017 and joined the SSNAP Steering Committee in 2019. Now retired, he has a background in education policy, project management, and program and curriculum development in BC and overseas. He has a life long interest in being creative having assembled rocks, taken courses, drawn, photographed, and sculpted for his own pleasure and growth. He and his wife Paula have collected art all along their fifty year voyage together and revel in the richness and diversity of the local artistic community. 

Following a career in the charitable sector and children’s services, Larry continues to keep active by volunteering with Variety-the Children’s Charity of Alberta, and is excited to be joining SSNAP. Larry has a huge appreciation for the talent and creativity that makes the Canadian art scene so amazing. His connection to Salt Spring Island goes back over 20 years through friends and his love for the Island and the people who make it such a special place.

Ronald T. Crawford is a painter, stone sculptor, stone mason and the founding director of the Salt Spring National Art Prize. His education in the studio arts and art history has been at Red Deer College, The Banff Centre of the Arts, University of Calgary, and the University of Oklahoma.

Dana Young has a keen interest in art and architecture. When not participating in art events, she spends her time working remotely as a corporate commercial lawyer for charities and non-profits, in her garden, and sweating it out in a variety of forms of exercise. Dana has degrees in landscape architecture and law, both from UBC.

Born in Australia in 1926, Joan emigrated to Canada in 1964 and spent eight years pursuing philosophy, history and the arts. She ultimately landed on Salt Spring Island. By sponsoring SSNAP, Joan hopes the arts and crafts will continue to prosper on Salt Spring Island. Her desire is that the prize will promote Salt Spring Island as a prime destination for Canadians from all artistic disciplines to discover our special enchantments. Thus, we will enrich one another.

Credit: Sydney Woodward @sydwoodward_ www.niamhstudio.com

Gordon Nicholas holds a BFA with a major in photography from Simon Fraser University and currently lives and works on Salt Spring Island and in Vancouver.

Nancy Côté, BEng, MSc, has an extensive background in information technology and information management, including implementing, training and supporting staff on critical IT infrastructure. She also has her bookkeeper certificate and has been SSNAP’s bookkeeper since January 2022.

Z Casey, BA, BEd, supervises and coordinates all aspects of SSNAP operations, including working with staff and volunteers, managing key operational activities, and providing support to the Board Chair. She has a long history of involvement in the arts, including managing art galleries and arts events.