OUR STAFF
JULIE WHITENECT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Julie Whitenect is a printmaker, based in Saint John. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Mount Allison University ’14. Julie is very engaged in the local arts ecosystem and has been the ED of ArtsLink NB for the past 5 years. Julie believes that “the arts” is one of the most important tools we have to engage our communities and revitalize our economy. She is committed to assisting the advancement of arts and culture in our province. julie@artslinknb.com
AMY ASH, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Amy Ash (she/they) is a queer interdisciplinary artist invested in collective care through processes of shared meaning-making.
Her practice flows from curatorial projects and writing to teaching, socially engaged action, and hands-on making. Across disciplines, they trace connectivity through intersections and overlaps between memory, learning, and wonder, to incite curiosity and kindle empathy. Often working collaboratively, she seeks to build connection by gently disrupting hierarchy to carve out space for a polyphony of personal meaning to be created within the context of a shared experience.
Amy has exhibited and curated programmes Internationally, with projects commissioned by the National Gallery London (UK), Platform Centre for Photographic and Digital Arts (Manitoba), and Third Space Gallery (New Brunswick). Amy is a member of the International Association of Art Critics and the editorial committee of Visual Arts News Magazine, and also an Instructor at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. Their work has received the support of artsnb, Art Council England, Canada Council for the Arts and the Peter McKendrick Endowment Fund for Visual Artists, and has been shared in publications such as Cmag, Visual Arts News, and CreatedHere.
Of white settler ancestry, they live in Menahqesk/Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, which sits on unceded and unsurrendered lands that have been cared for by the Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkati, and Mi’kmaq Peoples since the very beginning. amy@artslinknb.com
JERI KNOPP, PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR
Jericho Knopp is a journalist turned arts administrator based out of Saint John, New Brunswick. She’s worked in business, fundraising, teaching, and retail; and her work has appeared in the CBC, Civilized, Leafly, Huffington Post, the Telegraph Journal, Buzzfeed, and The Georgia Straight. She spends her spare time trying to keep up with the ever-expanding corpus of great literature, sneaking a few romance novels in between classics. She also loves exploring, embroidery and cross stitch, hiking with her greyhound, baking, and promptly devouring everything she’s baked. jeri@artslinknb.com
HAILEY HOOPER, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Hailey Hooper is a lover of all things nerdy. From board games and books to long division and video games. With a background primarily in retail management, she has mastered the art of customer service and strives to learn something new every day. Born and raised in Saint John, Hailey has evolved with the city’s ever-changing landscape and growing charm. She is a big advocate for the importance of arts education in schools, and at home, in the hopes that her children will always have a creative outlet for self-expression. hailey@artslinknb.com
JOSH GRAHAM, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Josh (he/him) has worked as a writer and designer of eLearning courses, small-town newspaper copy editor, Christmas tree farm hand, mountain bike trail builder, and parliamentary editor. He enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and riding bikes on New Brunswick’s spectacular trails with his wife, two energetic daughters, a Labrador Retriever, and a Labradoodle. josh@artslinknb.com
ERIN MACKENNEY, ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT
Erin MacKenny has been a nonprofit leader for the past decade and loves to help teams achieve their potential. She’s also worked in education, insurance, and the travel industry. More recently, she’s been exploring her artistic talents through stained glass and quilting. She’s joined the ArtsLink team for the summer and is eager to contribute to its operations.
Erin has a Bachelor of Arts from UNB and a Masters in Education from Griffith University in Australia. She is passionate about challenging herself and loves trying new things – especially when it comes to culinary adventures. In her free time you can find her traveling with her partner, enjoying live music, reading, or cuddling her sweet but feisty cat. erin@artslinknb.com
MAGGIE MCGIBBON, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
Maggie McGibbon is fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Applied Arts program at UNB and a former student at NBCCD in Ceramics. She is passionate about fostering creative expression and supporting contemporary arts in New Brunswick.
Maggie is excited to bring her enthusiasm to meaningful projects throughout her time with ArtsLink NB. Her curiosity and creativity, along with her interests in psychology, philosophy, and ethics, inspire her desire to contribute to a vibrant and inclusive arts community—one that is accessible, encourages experimentation, and supports diverse voices.
In her spare time, she loves spending time outside, hanging out with animals, and exploring various artistic disciplines, maintaining a primary focus on painting with acrylics, oils, and watercolour. info@artslinknb.com
NISH KUTTY, PROGRAMMING INTERN
Nish Kutty (they/them) is a queer international student from India pursuing an Honours in Media Arts and Cultures with a minor in Business at the University of New Brunswick. Passionate about advocacy, they are actively involved in community initiatives and diversity efforts, working to create empowering spaces. With experience in support work, resource building, project management, outreach, and engagement, they strive to make meaningful, real-world impacts through their work.
At ArtsLinkNB, Nish works with our programming director to help run programs that support and nurture the arts community across New Brunswick. They are committed to expanding access to arts initiatives, creating opportunities for artists, and accelerating programs that bring people together through creative expression.
Outside of work, they are a multidisciplinary artist who uses their craft — whether through writing, music, design, or media — to express themself freely and connect with others. Rooted in their values and lived experience, they aim to use their creative and strategic abilities to make the world a more vibrant and inclusive place for everyone. programming@artslinknb.com
JANAN ANVAR, PROGRAMMING INTERN
Janan Anvar (she/her) is a fourth-year student in the B.Comm Aviation program at Mount Allison University. Previously having interned in industries like fintech and entrepreneurship, she is now excited to work in the creative field with ArtsLink NB. As the programming intern, she is thrilled to work with our team!
Besides work, she loves indulging in Sally Rooney-type books, Christopher Nolan-type movies and any and all food! She also loves flying, obviously, and with that comes travelling. Being a part of ArtsLink checks all of their interests and she is looking forward to working with all the projects we have for this year! intern@artslinknb.com
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAEGEN BLACK
With over 20 years of experience in the field of contemporary fine craft, Maegen Black has built a career from her passion. A graduate of OCAD University’s Material Art and Design program with a Bachelor of Design, she has experience as an arts administrator and advocate, instructor, freelance writer, curator, craft sector consultant, and collector.
She spent 16 years as the Director of the Canadian Crafts Federation, working directly with professional craft organizations to tackle collaborative projects, national networking, and advocacy for craft and culture at the provincial, territorial and federal levels. In 2022 she shifted career pathways, bringing her experience from the craft sector to a new role as Associate Dean of the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design. Here, she has put her full focus on contributing to the future of craft and design practice in Atlantic Canada.
A big believer in service to the community, Maegen has worked on many Boards and Advisory Committees, including local, national, and international not for profit associations such as the Metal Arts Guild of Canada, Created Here Magazine, Ornamentum Magazine’s Editorial Committee, the World Craft Council International, the City of Fredericton’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and now, as the President of ArtsLink NB.
CANDICE OSTROSKI
Candice is a watercolour artist located in Bathurst NB, and finds inspiration in the landscape and people that surround her in the Chaleur Bay region. For the last few years, she has been very busy helping to manage and promote arts in Northern New Brunswick.
Candice is the secretary and marketing director of the Bathurst Art Society. She has also organized and presented community art events, recognizing that the arts make life more beautiful and unites people. The subject of promoting the arts in small cities and rural areas has been of particular interest to this artist, and she hopes that she can keep being a force for good when it comes to the arts in the North of the province.
ADAM HODNETT
Adam Hodnett is a former journalist/photographer turned content marketer. He started Folk Media Communications Inc. in 2015. His focus is on storytelling-based video communications, and strategic messaging. He has worked at several newspapers across the country, had work aired on CBC radio, and was a frequent contributor to the Telegraph Journal’s Escapade and Salon sections.
Adam believes there is a unique and compelling culture in New Brunswick, worth promoting, supporting, and growing. He believes that the arts are how we know ourselves, and that cultural exportation and tourism are under-appreciated industries that could profoundly alter our local economies. He is a serious defender of New Brunswick. He lives in Bathurst, but insists that all of “the north” is his home.
BETSY KELLY
Originally from Saint John, Betsy (Elizabeth) Kelly, practises law, specializing in technology law.
Betsy has a background in music and performed with Symphony New Brunswick for a number of years. She and her family live in St Andrews.
DON BOSSÉ – ACTING PRESIDENT
Don attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied Jazz Performance. He graduated from St. Thomas University with a BA and BEd and holds a Master of Music from Memorial University..
Don is an engaged, active musician, with an impressive record of service in New Brunswick. For over 35 years he taught music in public schools, beginning at the elementary school level and eventually reinvigorating the music program at Fredericton High School over a period of two decades. As the head of the Fine Arts Department, Bossé demonstrated a passion for music and teaching while incorporating technology into his music lessons to assist those students with learning difficulties and challenging those with advanced skills. Bossé’s ability to forge strong relationships, along with an unwavering love for the arts, has had a profound, positive impact on the lives of his students, many of whom have carried on with success in advanced music programs and beyond.
Don is the founder of the St. Thomas University Jazz Ensemble (STU Jazz) and a part-time instructor at St. Thomas University. He as received the Lieutenant-Governor’s New Brunswick Youth Orchestra Award, the MusiCounts Canada Teacher of the Year award, and the Playhouse Honours award.
Bossé currently serves on the Board of Governors, the Academic Senate, and the Alumni Association at St. Thomas University. He is a current member of the Canadian Coalition for Music Education, the Fredericton Arts Alliance, Jazz at the Lincoln Centre, and the New Brunswick Band Association. In consultation with the Office of First Nations Education, Bossé recently completed a grade 9 to 12 Indigenous Music Resource Document.
BARB CRAWFORD
Barb Crawford is a professional engineer and operations manager from Saint John.
While not an artist, she has been a patron and supporter of the arts and arts community for over a decade.
She has served as Chair of the City of Saint John’s Community Arts Board and has served on Third Space Gallery’s board of directors as well as the SappyFest music festival board of directors and the inaugural Area 506 committee.
GARY WEEKES
Gary Weekes is s Commercial/Fine Art Photographer who celebrates his Black identity in Canada, his upbringing in the UK, ten years spent in the USA and his constantly changing role as a father to three amazing young women. He stands proudly as a creative individual who does not follow the stereotypical boundaries placed on Black artists.
His art reflects himself; his likes, dislikes, loves, hates, and his ability (or inability) to initiate dialogue. In 2022, Gary became the first Black NB Artist to have a Solo Show at the prestigious Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
In 2023 Gary received The CBC Black Changemaker Award for his Community Work. His gradual move into Short Documentary Filmmaking has culminated in his latest film “Pugilist Pride: The Story of Faryad Azizi.” Gary is represented by Gallery on Queen, Fredericton NB.
VICTOR TOKI – TREASURER
Victor Toki is a seasoned finance professional with over a decade of experience in audit and financial management.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s in Business Administration, Victor began his career as an auditor with an accounting firm. His expertise in financial analysis, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance has made him a trusted advisor to clients ranging from multinational corporations to small businesses. Victor’s keen analytical skills and problem-solving abilities have earned him accolades in his current role as a financial manager.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Victor is committed to giving back to his community through mentorship.
BRIDGET BEZANSON
A unionized actor and musician for over 20 years, Bridget Bezanson has worked throughout Atlantic Canada and Ontario, with credits in regional theatre, television, animation, and radio drama (CBC). A versatile vocalist, she is formally trained in classical and jazz styles and holds 2 silver medals from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
As an arts administrator, she has several years’ experience managing a dance studio and school, and also ran her own production company.
She has been an arts juror for the City of Burlington, and as an actor-in-education, she has spent a decade working in experiential learning and interactive training with McMaster University’s Centre for Simulation-Based Learning, Humber College Sim Lab, and the Touchstone Institute.
Bridget is also a published songwriter, a member of SOCAN, and a recipient of a New Talent Grant from FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Record.) She is an advocate for arts education, and regards performing arts as a valuable component of human interaction and communication, fostering personal growth and teamwork.
In 2022, Bridget completed a Certificate in Contemporary Management in Arts & Culture at the University of New Brunswick. She is proud to make her home in Southeastern NB.
JASON NUGENT
Jason Nugent is a fine art/commercial/motorsport photographer living in Fredericton. Originally from Bathurst, he studied Chemistry (BSc Hons) at Dalhousie University, worked in Toronto for a while, and moved back to the Maritimes in the late 1990s.
Photographing professionally for nearly 20 years, Jason has traveled extensively and finds purpose in creating work in physically and mentally demanding situations.
For him, the craft is not necessarily found in the finished work but the process of creating the work. He is a strong believer in education, meaningful conversations via shared experiences, and ensuring that art of all kinds is kept accessible to all.
When at home he spends time with his partner, Rose and his cat, Rusty.
MICHAEL WOOD
Michael Wood is a dedicated ceramist who incorporates both human and physical geography into his work, creating functional and sculptural pieces. His gestural style often features local geology in a palette of black, white, and ecru, exploring themes of humanity, nature, and connection.
Michael has exhibited at the Gardiner Museum and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, and he participated in the Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down featured on CBC. He holds a certificate in visual arts and a diploma in ceramics and is currently pursuing a BFA in sculpture and painting at Mount Allison University.