KAMLOOPS ARTS COUNCIL

Our Staff

Tanya Nielsen

Tanya Nielsen

Executive Director

Tanya Nielsen has spent most of her life and work practicing different forms of creativity. She is a writer, painter, photographer, baker, researcher, and curator. She loves creativity so much that she wrote a Master’s thesis on the role failure plays in the creative process of making art (it’s a vital one). Tanya received her BFA in Gallery Studies from TRU and worked for 5 years in conference and event management, based in Newfoundland, with events around the world. She has spent the last 3 years working for the Quesnel Art Gallery in various roles. She loves playing with intersectionality, crossing borders between schools of thought and finding ways to display information so it’s accessible to everyone.

“During my time at school and work, I learned that it takes great people, a lot of work and time, and art that speaks to a community, to make a great arts organization. I am excited to be joining an organization like this in Kamloops, BC.”

Rebecca Kurtis

Rebecca Kurtis

Marketing Manager

Rebecca is local to Kamloops and is a recent graduate from Thompson Rivers University with a Bachelor of Tourism Management, specializing in Events and Festivals. She has worked in the marketing field previously, and helped put on events through her schooling. Rebecca is passionate about helping others and challenging herself in new fields. In her spare time, she dabbles in photography and enjoying the great outdoors. During her time at the KAC she is excited to challenge herself, gain experience, and help grow the arts community in Kamloops.

Insun Kang

Insun Kang

Administration & Program Coordinator

 With educational background in events & conventions management at TRU, Insun has worked in Korea and Japan as an event planner and administrator in various industries. She is excited to join KAC to contribute bringing art culture to the community. She is also a professional oil/acrylic artist (Active member of Federation of Canadian Artists) who are passionate about portraying animals, skies, and city scenes of Kamloops. In her spare time, she loves to go for hiking with her dog, mountain biking, and painting.

Marta Oraniewicz

Marta Oraniewicz

Contractor

Marta could not think of a better way to dedicate her time than to events and art. Marta has been creating art since she can remember, and this passion for all things artistic has led her to participate in and then go on to create her own children’s events around Kamloops for 8 magical years. She is ecstatic to bring her Bachelor of Tourism Management in Events and Festivals, as well as her skills in multiple artistic mediums, to the Kamloops Art Council. Marta believes art is about taking chances; she brings this mentality into her personal life by seizing all opportunities that come her way, whether that be jetting off to New York City to study theatre, immersing herself in a new culture while studying language and tourism in Japan, or becoming a valued cast member at The Happiest Place on Earth in Orlando, Florida. Given all these exciting experiences, it is no surprise that Marta considers her life her greatest masterpiece yet.

Adriana Arzeta Soldevilla

Adriana Arzeta Soldevilla

Crossing Bridges Outreach Coordinator

Adriana Arzeta is a Mexican community worker and artist who is passionate about bringing her love of art to the people and places she visits. She believes most people are creators at heart, and she tries to bring that confidence to everyone she interacts with. She currently resides in Kamloops, where she facilitates storytelling and art events for children at schools and at the community museum. She also teaches adults with the Kamloops Art Council and participates in community art projects. Adriana considers art to be a healing force that allows us to speak our hearts and bare our souls one stroke at a time. What interests Adrianna most about this position is providing individuals living in at-risk situations the chance to explore their creativity and build self-confidence in a supportive environment by offering high-quality art workshops to those who need them the most. 
Amanda Ewanyshyn

Amanda Ewanyshyn

TRU Liaison

Amanda Ewanyshyn has always been passionate about fine art, maintaining a creative practice since her childhood. She completed her undergraduate studies at York University in Toronto, and then an MFA specializing in Printmaking from the University of Alberta, Edmonton. Having family dispersed globally has provided her with opportunities to travel and study art while visiting relatives and these experiences have made her who she is today. Her current work is interdisciplinary, with her predominant areas of interest being in printmaking, photography, sculpture, and book arts, which she synthesized in the production of her graduate thesis show. In addition to being a member of the exuberant KAC team, she is also a Visual Arts University Instructor at Thompson Rivers University. She firmly believes that art is most truly expressed when it brings people together.
Tiana Aguiluz

Tiana Aguiluz

Program Coordinator

Tiana is a recent graduate from Thompson Rivers University, where she earned a degree in History and English. She is excited to join the Kamloops Arts Council as a Program Coordinator and be a part of the growing local art community. Loves travelling and spending time outdoors, paddleboarding, and swimming and is an avid rock climber. While in school, Tiana participated in student governance and was involved in planning minor programs to better the experience of students on and off campus. She has always been a fan of the arts and is glad to get a chance to work so closely with so many talented artists and watch the community engage with all the exciting events lined up. With her passion for History and the Arts, Tiana is eager to contribute to the already stunning cultural scene in Kamloops.
Christa O'Neill

Christa O'Neill

Gallery Coordinator

Christa O’Neill brings her creativity, passion for education and ambitious spirit to the Kamloops Arts Council. Having obtained a BFA at NSCAD in 2012 with a major in Art History and a minor in Printmaking, she is looking forward to applying her knowledge and skills as the Gallery Coordinator. She has always found a way to be creative, is drawn to bright colours and floral patterns and has been exploring the concept of “Home”. Having recently been trained as a breathwork facilitator, she is also finding ways to incorporate this into her creative practice. She is grateful to be a part of the creative community in Kamloops!

Contact Us Today!

Visit Us

7 Seymour Street West (at 1st)
Kamloops, BC V2C 1E4

Hours

Tuesday to Saturday,

10am - 12pm & 1 - 4pm

The Kamloops Arts Council office and KAC Main Gallery are located in the city-owned Old Courthouse Cultural Centre at 7 Seymour Street West. We share this wonderful century-old building with the Courthouse Gallery Cooperative and Theatre BC (Mainstage).

Visit us, our gallery and the rest of the amazing arts groups that are housed under one roof!

Please note: Kamloops Arts Council does not handle bookings for rentals of the Old Courthouse.  For information on rentals, please contact City of Kamloops Arts, Facility Booking, at [email protected] or (250) 828-3707.

KAC is situated on the traditional and unceded lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc within the ne Secwepemcúl’ecw

We acknowledge the financial support of our Core Supporters: The City of Kamloops and BC Arts Council