As Executive Director of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council and Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Krista Patterson has over 14 years of experience in a management role in the arts, culture and heritage sector. Having developed and executed many projects (including conferences, publications and workshop series) while managing a regional arts culture and heritage funding program, she has also been a funding adjudicator at provincial and local levels. A graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Krista has travelled to communities from Canada’s north to Shanghai, China, teaching jewellery, art history, professional practices and grant writing, and is also currently an instructor at Kootenay Studio Arts, Selkirk College. Her studio experience includes the creation of one-of-a-kind jewelry and sculptural objects as well as production craft and design. She has received a SCOPE (Standing Committee on Professional Excellence)award from the Selkirk College Faculty Association, as well as funding, scholarship and professional development awards in continued support of her art making, teaching and administrative endeavors.