Fernie and District Arts Council (FDAC) is a registered charity organization run by a volunteer board of directors. FDAC is committed to promoting arts and cultural opportunities in our community.
Board of Directors:
- Laura Loewen, Co-Chair
Laura is a fibre artist, retired nurse, mother of four, and a wife. She is passionate about working with traditional materials (sheep fleece, natural dye materials) as they help her feel grounded and always inspired, especially in this predominantly digital age.
- Tara Higgins, Treasurer
Tara has a strong interest in the arts being a visual artist and owner of a gallery. She is a strong believer in mentorship and peer collaboration and is always looking for opportunities to be a part of this.
- Jackie Impey, Secretary
Jackie is an artist that is actively involved in the local art community, from working collaboratively on projects and being a working member of the Fernie Arts coop. She is a Social Worker with a background in child welfare and anthropology.
- Dave McBeath,
Dave is a long time supporter of the arts. He is a member of Fernie Pottery Guild. He has experience on boards including the Fernie Trails alliance, The Fernie Mountain Bike Club, the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club and The BC Medical Association.
- Randal Macnair
Randal has been a resident of Fernie for 25 years. He has always been an active member of the community. Randal’s educational background is in Anthropology, Art History and Museum Studies and he has worked professionally in the museum and gallery field for over 12 years.
- Jordon Copestake
Jordan relocated to Fernie from the UK in spring 2023 after completing the Non-stop program in 2020–21 and falling in love with the community. She is the Director of Operations at Natural Resources Training Group (NRTG), where she manages daily business operations and collaborates remotely with a small, diverse team across Canada. Jordan holds a Bachelor’s in Media & Cultural Studies and a Master’s in Humanitarianism & Conflict Response from UK universities. Most recently, in 2023, she completed her MBA. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys making the most of Fernie’s outdoor lifestyle—snowboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, and skating. She also spends her winters coaching the Girls Big Mountain Snowboard Team at Fernie Alpine Resort. In recent years, she has embraced more creative pursuits, including knitting, sewing (with help from The Arts Station’s sewing machines), and gardening.
- Cate Durham
Cate Durham is a dedicated teacher and potter whose creative practice is rooted in community, learning, and connection. Based in Fernie, BC, she combines a strong educational background—including a Master of Business Management, a degree in Kinesiology, and teaching certifications—with a passion for the arts.
Cate is an active member of Fernie’s creative community, sharing her enthusiasm for pottery and lifelong learning with others. Her leadership, inclusive approach, and excellent interpersonal skills help foster welcoming spaces where creativity can thrive. She believes the arts are a powerful tool for growth, expression, and building meaningful community connections.
The FDAC Board meet on the second Thursday of the month. If you wish to bring forward a proposal or request please contact fdac@theartsstation.com at least by the first Thursday of the month.
- Contact: fdac@theartsstation.com
FDAC is managed by:
Louise Ferguson, Executive Director
Louise Ferguson is the Executive Director for the Fernie & District Arts Council. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Arts University Bournemouth, England, specialising in Costume. Louise has previously worked in costume departments in the London theatre community, national Ballet, and gained experience in fashion history curation. Upon leaving England she worked at Walt Disney World, Florida in the largest costume department in the world. Her time in North America inspired her to travel resulting in her arrival in the Rocky Mountains where she gained experience in the tourism industry, business and galleries. All these combined experiences led her to her current role at The Arts Station. She lives in Fernie with her Husband and dog named Stella!
Contact: admin@theartsstation.com
Alexandra Kozak, Community Arts & Marketing Coordinator
Alexandra moved to Fernie after receiving a bachelor’s degree in design with honours from the Alberta University of the Arts. Profoundly inspired by Fernie’s scenery & culture, she now operates her own fine art and illustration business. She exhibits at regional galleries including the Fernie Arts Co-op. She’s delighted to be a part of the Arts Station where she can use her unique perspective and skills such as animation to enhance Fernie’s thriving arts community. She lives in Fernie BC with her partner and dog named Peaches!
Contact: alex@theartsstation.com
Sarah Kosowan, Events Coordinator
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Sarah has travelled internationally before finding her home in Fernie, BC. With degrees in Business and International Relations, she brings a global perspective and strong organizational skills to her role. The Arts Station played a big part in making Fernie feel like home for Sarah, inspiring her to give back to the community. She’s passionate about creating engaging and inclusive events for all ages and demographics!
Contact: events@theartsstation.com
Grace Wanlin, Event & Program Assistant
Grace moved to Fernie 4.5 years ago for a winter season and hasn’t looked back since. She has a Bachelors Degree in Communications Studies from Concordia University in Montreal. Grace is a multi-passionate creator and artist with interests in many different media, especially painting, tufting and sewing. Grace’s favourite thing about Fernie is the amazing community, and she is stoked to be a part of The Arts Station team. She lives in Fernie with her cat Eloise.
Contact: grace@theartsstation.com