Saint John Arts Centre’s volunteer Board of Directors serve for up to two consecutive terms of three years.
Current Board of Directors
Lisa-Ann Scichilone, Chair
Lisa-Ann is a visual artist/art instructor with a degree in early childhood education. She works on her contemporary designs out of her home studio where she also holds adult and youth painting instruction. Lisa-Ann is an active member with the Federation of Canadian Artists.
As a director of the Saint John Arts Centre board, Lisa-Ann is keen to support art and art education opportunity in Saint John and surrounding communities. She strongly believes that a strong arts and culture presence creates a tighter unity among residents.
Leona Laracey, Vice-Chair
Leona Laracey is semi-retired after a career with non profit organizations such as the NB Division of the Canadian Red Cross, Laubach Literacy of Canada, Housing Alternatives and the crown corporation CMHC. Her various work experience included public relations, fundraising, financial analysis, property management and development, developing instructional materials and teaching adults. She is a certified instructor in aquatics, group and older adult fitness and teaches at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, the Saint John YMCA and with the Zoomers’ programme.
Her volunteer involvement spans decades and includes directorships with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. She was on the City’s Heritage Development Board for three terms, serving as chair in her final term. In 2016 – 7, Leona was an organizing committee member for Saint John’s successful international choral festival, Fundy Sound. Currently, Leona is president of Housing Alternatives (and its subsidiary Rehabitat), a not for profit housing developer and property management company. She also serves as chair of the board of the Saint John Land Bank. She is a member of the Carleton Choristers and regularly helps with Rocmaura Nursing Home fundraisers.
Kara Stonehouse
Kara Stonehouse has worked in marketing and communications for the University of New Brunswick since 2001. Since 2011, she has been the marketing communications lead for UNB’s Office of Development & Donor Relations. Kara has served on numerous arts and community organization boards including ArtsLink NB, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra Foundation, the New Brunswick Arts Council/Performing Arts NB, the Lorenzo Society and 1st KV BPSA Traditional Scouting. Kara earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Music Business from Belmont University and established a career in promoting recording artists internationally out of Nashville, TN.
Kara also works with her husband, Dave Stonehouse, at the Stonehouse Agency, and lives in Quispamsis with their two children in a house made of straw.
Kate Wallace
Kate Wallace’s writing about art has been recognized with a National Newspaper Award and Atlantic Journalism Awards. A former arts reporter for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, she established her freelance writing practice in 2016. Prior to that, Kate was executive director of ArtsLink NB, a provincial organization for professional artists.
A dynamic storyteller, Kate’s work spans print journalism, brand storytelling and film and TV. She has written scripts for nationally-aired documentaries and international TV series. Her work has been published in Canadian Art, Canadian Geographic, East Coast Living and The Maritime Edit.
Kate has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Anthropology) from McGill University, and a Graduate Diploma of Journalism from Concordia University. In 2014, Kate was named by 21 Inc. as one of New Brunswick’s emerging leaders for the 21st century. She lives in Rothesay, N.B.
Christopher Williams
Christopher Williams is a senior marketing communications specialist experienced in developing strategic programs, managing creative teams, partnerships, and events. Accredited (APR) by the Canadian Public Relations Society, his career includes counsel, creative direction and media relations for NB Power, FCNB, NB Department of Energy, and the largest clients of Colour, Bristol, and PIR Montréal. Chris has developed lasting relationships with clients of his own communications agencies and is an experienced journalist. He holds a Bachelor of Public Relations degree (BPR) from Mount Saint Vincent University. Chris was a board director of Saint Joseph’s Hospital Foundation for six years; studied graphic design and photojournalism, and performs and records music. He is a resident of Grand Bay-Westfield where, with his wife Carol, they raised two sons, a rabbit, tropical fish, and zebra finches.
Tiffany Fawcett, Treasurer
Bailey Campbell, Secretary