Ptarmigan Arts Society is a community arts organization based on Pender Island, BC that delivers arts programs, workshops and events to the Southern Gulf Islands and Greater Victoria. The organization has been in existence since 1991, and is known for its innovative and inspirational artistic programming in areas such as music, theatre, filmmaking, dance, and visual arts.
We work to make sure our programs are inclusive and accessible, appealing to people ranging from seniors to preschoolers. Our focus on community building through the arts ensures that programs are readily available to people who are disadvantaged by financial barriers, disabilities or geographical isolation. Ptarmigan’s work helps all members of our society to live healthier, happier, and more creative lives.
Mission Statement:
Ptarmigan’s purpose is to provide creative opportunities for our island communities through education and engagement in the arts. We nurture creativity in our island communities by providing creative artistic opportunities to emerging and established artists, community members of all ages and abilities, and our island visitors.
Core Values:
We believe the arts are essential to a vibrant and happy community
We believe the arts should include a diverse variety of artistic disciplines and creative expressions
We are dedicated to inclusivity and believe it is imperative that creative opportunities be available to everyone regardless of geographic, socio-economic, or health-related barriers.
We value artistic and administrative excellence and integrity in any initiative that we provide or sponsor
Our Team
Lisa Fleming (she/her) - Executive Director
Lisa has twenty years of experience managing projects for non-profit organizations, including environmental, social justice and artistic groups. Lisa is experienced with fundraising, project coordination, administration and financial management. While it is true that environmental issues are closest to Lisa’s heart, as reflected in her educational choices (degree in biology; post graduate diploma in environmental sciences), she is a convert to the power of the arts and is inspired to work for a meaningful organization such as Ptarmigan that is making a difference in the community where she has chosen to live and raise her kids. When not working with Ptarmigan, Lisa is happiest spending time in her kayak, digging in her garden or exploring trails and beaches with her kids.
Lauren Mann (she/her) - Creative Director
Lauren is an acclaimed songwriter and performer who, before moving to Pender Island in 2015, spent five years touring North America with her band, The Fairly Odd Folk. She has released five full length albums and was the winner of the 2014 CBC Searchlight Contest. Since settling on Pender in 2015, Lauren has become an active member in the creative community, hosting house concerts at her home, collaborating with other artists, and hosting songwriting workshops. She brings her wealth of experience to the Ptarmigan team as the Creative Director, planning Ptarmigan programs and working closely with artists and the community. When not working at Ptarmigan, you might find her hiking, sailing, or writing songs in her studio.
Currently on maternity leave
Alice Karolina (she/her, neurodiverse) - Creative Director
Before becoming a Creative Director with Ptarmigan Arts, Alice spent 7 years as an online brand coach + strategist, designer, and small business consultant. In 2018, she founded an ethical marketing movement called The Ethical Move, which she runs virtually with her international team of volunteers.
Alice was born, raised, and educated in Switzerland. She started her career in the late 90’s in a Bauhaus-esque art school, and then working her way through most communication disciplines: illustration, graphic + interior design, linguistics, media, marketing, copywriting, wayfinding – and packaged it all into an amorphous art form combining digital illustrations and writing.
After much running around the globe, Alice settled on S,DÁYES (Pender Island) in 2019 with her partner and their gang of whippets. Learn more about Alice here [links to external website]
For communications or programming inquiries: alice@ptarmiganarts.org
Board of Directors
Board Chair - Brent Marsden
Vice Chair - Vicki Lynn Dutton
Secretary - Sarah Smith
Treasurer - Laura Vilness
Director - Wendy Gardner
Director - Monica Bennett
Director - Rutger Kamphuis
New Director 2024 - Lizzie Margetts
New Director 2024 - Heather Read