Board of Directors

Sharon E. McGladdery

Board Chair (President)

Sharon (she/her) is a marine biology scientist who retired in 2015 after 30 years working for Fisheries and Oceans Canada in St Andrews, Moncton and Ottawa. She joined the Sunbury Shores Board shortly after her return to St Andrews in 2009, as Director of the St Andrews Biological Station. She loves the juxtaposition of art and nature, as well as Sunbury Shore’s role as an inclusive centre for all levels of artistic creativity and appreciation. In 2016, she stepped down from her second Board term to take on the Executive Director role at the Centre in an interim capacity for a year. Her other, local, Board experience includes the Fundy Community Foundation, Huntsman Marine Science Centre and Charlotte Dial-A-Ride. She is also involved with the St Andrews Nature Club, the Kiwanis Club of St Andrews, and the Garden-by-the-Sea Club (as a proponent of gardening-by-neglect).

Susan Lazor

Vice Chair

Susan (she/her) has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in non-profit management, from the University of Maine. She has held accounting and fundraising positions within the non-profit sector. She has attended numerous art classes at Sunbury Shores and is passionate about the organization and its role within the community. Susan as an artist works in several mediums. She is an award-winning wood carver, has exhibited in stone and works in metal. Currently drawn to watercolour, she finds inspiration in the wonders of the natural environment around her.  She looks to apply her business and creative background to ensure access for all to Sunbury Shores, a vital community asset.

Catherine Hamilton

Past President

Catherine (she/her) is a PhD Nurse Educator, researcher and administrator with the University of New Brunswick (Saint John), where she is currently the Chair of the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences. She is also an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Nurse-midwifery, US), with advanced clinical knowledge and skills in Women’s Health and research in adolescent mental health. She has lived and practiced internationally and within Indigenous and underserved communities. She is a firm believer in the therapeutic value of art on the well-being of the individual and the community and its defining role in the culture. She has been a Board of Trustees member for 4 years and is a long-time supporter and participant in Sunbury Shores program offerings.

Sara Brinkhurst

Secretary

Born in England, Sara started her career in the advertising world of London, before becoming the owner of a multi-award winning B&B for 17 years. She then graduated from the University College for the Creative Arts in Kent with a BA First Class Honours in Silver/Gold Smithing and Jewellery Design in 2007.  Sara emigrated to Canada in 2008, where she has continued working in precious metals, catering, and more recently miniatures. For over 30 years she has contributed to arts organization boards, including Rye Art Gallery (UK), the Grace/Ice House Gallery (Nova Scotia) and, more recently, Sunbury Shores.  She has also been involved with the developing and running of two small artists co-operatives and is a juried Member of the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council and Craft New Brunswick. As a previous Board member and Executive Director of Sunbury Shores, she is committed to assisting the continued evolution of the Centre to enhance engagement of our local and regional communities through ongoing creative, inclusive and imaginative Board participation.

Clare Bridge

Board Trustee

Following her arts career in New England, Clare (she/her) has been a metalsmith living initially in Nova Scotia prior to moving to Harvey, New Brunswick in 2022. Over the years Clare has been a recognized artisan, winning a number of awards in Nova Scotia with her one-of-a kind jewelry, inspired by nature. In addition, she owned and operated two fine craft galleries in New England. Therefore, her background, infused with “both sides of the table”, has enabled her to aid in non-profit arts groups with organizational planning and development, while recognizing the unique, creative skills of the many artists she has come into contact with over the years. It is with this experience and energy that she is proud to join the board of Sunbury Shores Arts & Ecology, and encourage inspiring new paths for artists and the community.

Diane Ganong

Board Trustee

Diane is a registered nurse and graduate of International Development Studies from McGill University. She worked on the Kidney Transplant Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal and embraced community volunteer work, on top of being a full-time mother and grandmother. She was President of UNICEF Canada, and owned two St Stephen businesses (Antiquarius Antiques & Collectables, and Bistro on the Boulevard). Other Board and volunteer commitments include the Windsor Foundation, Saint Andrews Dragonboat Club, Fundy Region Transition House, Charlotte Dial a Ride and Neighbourhood Works in St Stephen. Diane brings a passion for community that will greatly contribute to the all-inclusive mandate for creativity provided by Sunbury Shores.

Kate Giles

Board Trustee

Kate Giles is neurodiverse and genderqueer artist, curator, and white settler living in New Brunswick, the traditional territory of the Peskotomuhkati nation. They are a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art & Design (ECUAD,) having achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts with a minor in Curatorial Practices. Their current practice follows two main tracks; a focus on translocal spaces and community as well as how we occupy our bodies, how our bodies occupy spaces, and the impacts of nostalgia and mental health. As someone who lives in New Brunswick, works in Ottawa, and helps manage a Vancouver artists disability collective, they prioritize the connections and opportunities found in alternative spaces.