Alanna is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience successfully managing her own company, Image Factory, as well, she is an established Island visual artist whose work has been exhibited at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, among
other galleries across Canada. With proven marketing and communications skills, she is an community leader , a Holland College distinguished Alumni Award recipient, winner of the 2016 Cultural Industry Award of PEI, and has recently supported the PEI government in its events and planning protocols and strategies. Alanna has a keen appreciation for The Guild and the role it plays in our cultural community, and sees opportunities for The Guild to grow its connection to artists, performers, government partners, private sector sponsors, and audiences. In the last five years of being Executive Director, The Guild has continued to grow into a cultural hub where artists gain much needed exposure, creative industries have space to be innovative, and the community has a meeting spot where everyone feels welcomed. She is thrilled to lead The Guild and looks forward to a long and dynamic relationship as she continues to support and strengthen The Guild’s mission to provide members of the cultural and arts community a vibrant, supportive, affordable, creative space in which to develop and flourish, by providing access to the Gallery, the theatre, office space, studio space, and skilled staff. ajankov@theguildpei.com
Michelle has worked in the Arts and not-for-profit sectors for the past 10 years. She is a graduate from Dalhousie University with a double major in Theatre Studies and English Literature, and was proud to be a part of Neptune Theatre’s Box Office and Front of House team during that time. Before joining The Guild, Michelle was planning events and doing community development work with the CNIB in Charlottetown. She also has experience as a Box Office and Front of House manager from a variety of theatres, including The Victoria Playhouse, Centrepointe Theatre, The Shenkman Arts Centre, and Darlinghurst Theatre Co. Michelle is very excited to work with so many talented artists and performers on Prince Edward Island. mhooper@theguildpei.com
Eric attended the Ontario School of Audio Recording Technology in London, Ontario. Before working at The Guild, he toured as sound tech for various musical acts including Paper Lions. Eric began his time at The Guild as a technician in 2007, and has since moved into a position as Theatre Manager. Well known throughout the Island, Eric looks forward to helping make The Guild sound and look spectacular! efortune@theguildpei.com
Lori Linkletter: Artistic Director of Children’s Programming
Rory Starkman: Stage Manager of Children’s Programming & Front of House Manager
Alex MacIsaac: Front of House Manager
Curtis MacNevin: Technical Assistant
Luka Hall: Official Fiddling Busker at The Guild
Lloyd Joseph: Head of Maintenance
Sherry Ross: Book Keeper
Thank you to our part-time Festival staff!
Shawn Murphy, QC., PC; Chair of the Board
Shawn Murphy, QC, PC, is a retired lawyer and from 2000 to 2011 served as MP for the riding of Charlottetown. He has served on a number of Boards including the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation; University of Prince Edward Island, and the PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada. He holds an ICD.C designation from the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors and has been a director of the PEI Arts Guild Inc. since 2012.
Maria Campbell; Secretary
Maria is a musician, contemporary artist, and teacher. She holds a Masters of Music degree from the University of Auckland, and an Artist Diploma from Western University. Maria’s work focuses primarily on concepts of social justice and community. She has also served as a board member for the Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts, and the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre in Charlottetown. Maria works, as well, as a fitness trainer and movement director for various projects, and was voted Fusion Charlottetown’s 2017 Influencer of the Year for the work she does in this community.
Maria MacAulay; Treasurer
Maria MacAulay grew up in Prince Edward Island, left to study at Mount Allison University, and went on to provide senior leadership and manage key projects for public and private organizations across Canada. She was a member of the Aboriginal and Public Consultation Panel for the Northern Gateway Project and was responsible for presenting evidence about Aboriginal partners in Alberta and British Columbia. In 2016, Maria moved home to focus her energies on building a more sustainable community in Prince Edward Island. An important aspect of her work is policy delivery: ensuring that the highest priorities have the greatest impact on the most people.
Nancy Cole
“I am a visual artist that uses textile as a medium. First and foremost, I am a quilter searching for rebellion, strength and resilience. My work deals with social themes with a strong narrative base. Primarily portrait based, my practice has evolved from traditional quilting to contemporary and concept-based art pieces.”
Patricia Bourque
“My name is Patricia Bourque. I am Mi’kmaq First Nation member of Lennox Island First Nation, from Epekwitk also known as Prince Edward Island. Located in the traditional territory of Mi’kma’ki. I am a visual artist, working with still image and cinematic.
My passion for photography has spread into photographing events of all sizes, sports, wildlife, live music and of course my MI’kmaq Culture. I don’t think of myself as a technical photographer. I am self-taught in photography where I learn from experiences and observing other photographers that I admire. I prefer this natural learning method over classrooms. I feel that this way I can stay true to who I am as an Artist.
I presently sit on the Board of Directors of The Guild in Charlottetown PEI, and I am a part of the executive of the PEI Photo Club. My work has been published in several national magazines such as BEC-Business Elite Canada, Toque and Canoe, and Canadian Geographic. I’ve been a part of 2 gallery shows, one of which was all of my own work, and the other was part of a group of Indigenous Women’s art show.”
Blaine Murphy
Blaine Murphy is a Charlottetown guy, born and raised. He attended Prince Street Elementary, Queen Charlotte Intermediate, Colonel Gray High School, and Holland College for Retail Management. Blaine spent 35 years with Canada Post Retail and 50+ years in the music industry. He has been an avid supporter of many organizations including the IWK, QEH Foundation, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Canadian Cancer Society, Children’s Wish Foundation, Heart and Stroke and has contributed to many benefits through his music. Blaine is an active member of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church. He is married and has two grown children.
Don Wagner
Don is currently an Associate Professor at UPEI’s School of Business and is the Director of the Executive MBA Program. Don teaches International Business, Income Taxation and Strategic Management. His current research focuses on microfinance.
Ming Cai
Ming is a Project Manager and In-House Architect at PEI Ocean View Resort & Golf Academy. He currently resides in Stratford with his family.