Candace Elder – Director
Candace Elder is a values-driven, collaborative facilitator and arts advocate. Through her work at the National Music Centre, the Banff Centre and in leading mentorship programs and creative residencies, Candace is committed to the cultivation of communities where artists and organizations feel supported and empowered to carry out their creative vision. Meaning-making is central to Candace’s process, observing and exploring how we understand ourselves and our relationship to the world. As a Certified Ontological Coach with a Master of Arts in Arts Leadership, Candace provides unique and highly attuned guidance to individuals and organizations seeking to build meaningful connections while creating compelling and transformative experiences.
Sadira Rodrigues – Curator
Sadira Rodrigues is an educator, curator, writer and administrator. From social-profit enterprises such as artist-run-centres and public galleries, to museums, grant funding and higher education, she has assembled deep knowledge of the arts and culture sector in Canada and beyond. Her past institutional experience includes Dean of Continuing Studies at Emily Carr University, Public Programs at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and a Regional Facilitator for the Canada Council for the Arts.
Nana White – Communications & Design Assistant
Nana (they/them/theirs) is a queer, non-binary, Mixed Afro Indigenous multi-hyphenate artist working primarily in photography, DJing, and watercolour. They are a lover of nature, liberation, joy as resistance, storytelling, and the dismantling of systems of oppression. New to the coast- they moved here in 2024 and are grateful to be supported by these lands of the shíshálh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations. They are also a yoga and reiki practitioner whose practice is rooted in bhakti (loving devotion), catch them meditating at the beach!
Megan Dewar – Special Projects
Meg (she/her) is a white disabled femme living and working on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Shíshálh territories. Meg is passionate about the arts, community organizing, food sovereignty, and disability justice. With a background in academia and the NGO sector, she has developed a mosaic art practice which centers repurposing materials that would otherwise be wasted. Motivated by a belief in the importance of the creative process and the intersection of access and art; Meg has been pursuing education in the therapeutic arts, participating in artist residencies and exhibitions, and is currently excited to welcome you into the gallery at the Sunshine Coast Arts Council and immersing herself further into the arts!
London Allcock – Special Projects
London Allcock was born and raised here on the coast and lived here her entire life, with a passion for the rich artisan community here. She joined the Sunshine Coast Arts Council staff in hopes to broaden and strengthen her connections with people who share similar interests and love for the traditional arts.
Daniel Nakasone – Bookkeeper
Daniel Nakasone was born in Peru and came to Canada in 2013. Still lost, he keeps figuring out what to do on the Sunshine Coast.