“The arts are a vital part of becoming a healthy, happy person and a lively and productive community. Anyone can be creative—it’s not a matter of the product. It’s about the process. The Arts Council is not just about creating events for people to watch, but create experiences that people can take part in,” said Betty-Ann Xenis.
Currently Vice President, Betty-Ann is a long-serving member of the executive. Most recently she was Treasurer and before that Vice President (2017-2018) and President (2018-2020).
Throughout the years she has been active in marketing and publicity among a myriad of other activities both with the Arts Council and in the community. “I was on the Cultural Plan Task Force, helping to create the Cultural Plan, which was adopted by the District of Summerland Council in 2016,” Betty-Ann said. She is on the board of South Okanagan Arts which is working to bring arts groups in the South Okanagan together. For a number of years, she has been involved in Summerland Singers and Players, acting, producing and being on the board. As well, she has found time to be a member of the board of Neighbourhood Link Summerland, a community volunteer organization, since its founding in 2004.
“I moved to Summerland in 1990 and never plan on leaving", Betty-Ann said. She taught primary grades at McDonald and Giant’s Head School until her retirement in 2012.