Alberta Craft Council Board of Directors

Michele Hardy

I have always been a champion of craft—early on as a maker, then as a scholar and a curator. It is such an honour to work with craft makers—collecting, researching and sharing their work. Since 2019 I have worked closely with the Alberta Craft Council, organizing special tours and workshops that engage members and provoke new understandings of craft. I was thrilled to be awarded the Tom McFall Honour Award in 2023 and join the board in 2024.

Sheila Harrison

Sheila Harrison is an accomplished executive leader with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning government, non-profit, and industry sectors. She is well known for her strategic and creative vision and effective leadership. Sheila has driven transformative initiatives that foster organizational growth and high-performing teams. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning, policy development, project management, governance and community development. Sheila joined the board in 2024.

Pamela Shapka

I am a patron and promoter of the arts, former director on the Alberta Council of Ukrainian Arts, Folk Art Instructor, artist-in-residence and student of the arts.

Born and raised in Edmonton Alberta by Canadian Ukrainian parents, I was introduced to the art of writing pysanka, Ukrainian Easter eggs, at an early age. Valuing tradition, and interest in cultural art and history, I expanded my work in folk art to include Petrykivka and Trypillian styles of painting.

I was introduced to the Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts and joined their board where I was active for a decade in fundraisers, the ACUAVitae magazine, and collaborating with Arts on the Avenue to promote our cultural arts at their Deep Freeze Festival. My goal always to provide exposure and stage for Alberta Ukrainian artists to promote their exquisite passions and crafts.

Through my volunteer and contract positions I was awarded the opportunity to earn a certificate in Arts Management through the Rozsa Foundation.

After managing my household and extra curricular dance, music and sport for four children, I returned to my former career managing food services for Alberta Health Services where I currently hold a position overseeing three sites in NE Alberta.

I reside in both Edmonton and Smoky Lake County, blessed by the gift of stunning Alberta landscapes, open spaces, a bountiful garden and vast diversity in the arts through both urban and rural connections.