ASK Board of Directors

Michele McNally

President

Michele McNally is a retired actor living in Nobleton. As founder and Artistic Director of the Nobleton Children’s Theatre Co., Michele was able to share her love of the arts with budding actors. She has been an active volunteer for many years, volunteering at Nobleton Public School and in community events such as the celebration of Canada’s 150th in Kettleby and the Nobleton Tree Lighting. You may know Michele as the ghost storyteller at the Haunting on King Road at the King Heritage & Cultural Centre every Hallowe’en or as the emcee at the Mayor’s Cultural Gala.

Michele has been a board director of Arts Society King since 2018 and has been enjoying the role of President since 2020. She hopes to engage artists of all pursuits within King Township and beyond to share their vision and their beauty.

Regina Jensen

Treasurer

Regina is an experienced accountant with history working in real estate and public accounting (audit and assurance). She’s a mother of 2 boys and a self described foodie and an art lover with a penchant for theater arts. Regina is excited to join Arts Society King to lend her services and discover new adventures.

Murdene Pozdrowski

Secretary

As a long time resident of King Township and a more recent resident of Newmarket, Murdene has been involved for more than 30 years with many volunteer groups and committees. She has been a member of Arts Society King for the past eight years as Secretary and with The King Township Historical Society as vice president. Other volunteer activities include the King Township Foodbank, Heritage Advisory Committee and several other volunteer interests outside of the township. Murdene has had a life long interest in the arts and heritage conservation which fit perfectly with the both ASK and KTHS.

Kathleen Rodgers

Artist Liaison

Kathleen Rodgers retired in 2015 as an elementary school teacher. As a lifelong learner, she has explored many different mediums before developing a passion for quilting. She has taught workshops in different mediums and sold her finished pieces for over 30 years, most recently on studio tours and art shows. A summer course at Haliburton School of the Arts introduced her to hand-dyed fabrics and the world of art quilts. Her art quilts often incorporate her hand-dyed or hand-painted fabrics. Her designs include large scale florals, landscapes, geometric and autumn. 

Since retiring, Kathleen has joined various organizations and Boards including the Coldwater Mill, the Studio Art Quilters Association (SAQA) and, of course, Arts Society King. As the Artist Liaison, she likes to support emerging and experienced artists and artisans by organizing exhibitions and sales opportunities such as studio tours, art shows and sales, etc.

Dorita Peer

Director

Hungarian-Canadian Dorita Peer grew up in Toronto where she enjoyed a stint on the poetry scene, then moved north in 1978 to settle in the Kettleby wilderness. Poet, writer, sculptor, painter, musician, gardener, she made her living first as an optician then as an equestrian trainer, coach, breeder and international official. She is the founder of The Moving Finger and The King’s Feet open stages. She has loved and been loved twice by remarkable men. Her grand passions are Nature and Philosophy and bringing people together in joyful and creatively unbounded exploration for ASK and other groups.

Patti Skrypek

Director

Patti Skrypek is an experienced manager and leader, working for more than 30 years in the Ontario government. Prior to moving to senior operational and management positions, she spent most of her career as a professional communicator, holding positions from writer to web editor to communications manager.

Patti is also an experienced not-for-profit board member and, in addition to being on the Arts Society King board, she also serves on the King Township Library Board as well for an organization that supports those impacted by addiction. She has also served as vice-chair for an organization that provides a spectrum of high quality mental health services to children and their families. Patti is a regular contributor to MOSAiC Magazine and volunteers for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), King Township Food Bank and Christmas in King. She is the very proud mom of three sons and a grandson.

Joanne Bailey

Director

Joanne Bailey is a long-time resident of King Township with a passion for art and public service. She is an art enthusiast who enjoys painting, drawing and creating her own woodworking designs. Joanne is the proud mother of two daughters and six grandsons. Retired from a diversified nursing career, Joanne was employed as a front-line practitioner, operating room nurse, occupational health nurse, director in nursing homes and clinical and classroom professor at Seneca College King. Recently, Joanne was certified as an Ear Candling Therapist.

Now living in Schomberg, Joanne is a board director with Arts Society King, a writer for the MOSAiC Magazine, a volunteer for senior programs and a member-at-large for the Schomberg Community Farm. Joanne’s lifelong interest in the arts greatly benefits the committees on which she actively serves.