Pembina Hills Arts Council

Pembina Hills Arts Council is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage and facilitate growth and diversity of arts and culture in the Pembina Valley Region.

We have year-round exhibits that are free to the public, classes & workshops, opportunities for artists to show & sell their work, membership perks and gift shop showcasing local artisans.

The Pembina Hills Arts Council is located on Treaty No. 1 territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota Nations and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis, and honour their contributions to the past, present, and future. We express our gratitude for the land and water that sustains us, and we commit to learning from and working in partnership with the original caretakers of this territory.

READ ABOUT US!
↓

History

Pembina Hills Arts Council (PHAC) was founded in 1988 and incorporated in 1992. It covers a vast region and represents approximately 60,000 residents. The population continues to grow with newcomers and new industry which results in a dynamic culture rich in diversity.

PHAC has identified clear objectives and vision statements which correspond to their founding mission statement. An action plan has been generated to carry out the work necessary to meet the objectives.

The Pembina Hills Arts Council, as an umbrella organization, operates the Pembina Hills Arts Centre located at 352 Stephen Street, Morden. Through this location, we host a wide range of visual arts programs, exhibitions, and events aimed at increasing cultural awareness and engagement as we strive to improve the quality of life for the community. We operate four satellite galleries at the Manitou Opera House in Manitou, MB, Neubergthal Commons in Neubergthal, MB, 500 Stephen St. Morden, Morden Food Hall and Market, and MMJS Law Morden.

Our Vision

Pembina Hills Arts Council is a non-profit organization that encourages and facilitates the growth and diversity of arts and culture for the Pembina Valley Region by providing an inclusive and dynamic environment where creativity is experienced, developed and shared.

Our Vision

To be a welcoming and inclusive hub where people can connect with and through the arts.

Our Values

Diversity and Accessibility - Welcoming and accommodating all people

Education and Enrichment - Offering a diverse programme responding to an ever-changing and fluid art world

Community Input - Responding to people’s interests in the arts

Fostering Creativity - Offering a safe environment for artistic expression

Building Relationships - With the staff, artists, instructors, volunteers, partners and communities

Financial Sustainability - Effectively utilizing time and resources

Truth and Reconciliation - Committed to learning how we can incorporate this into our organization and taking action

Meet the Team

Jenny Smirl

GALLERY DIRECTOR
Jennifer Smirl has worked as a studio ceramicist and painter for over 20 years. She finished her studies at the School of Art in 2007 and has exhibited in Winnipeg and across Canada. She works both in functional and abstract stoneware and currently is focusing on stoneware and raku firing.
Anna Ishkhanyan

INTERIM GALLERY DIRECTOR
Anna brings 14+ years of extensive nonprofit experience in the human rights, cultural, and arts sectors. She is deeply passionate about the arts and culture as well as unique creativity that brings people together, empowers, and excites, fostering open-mindedness through cultural exchange and innovative projects.
Evelyn Goodfellow

GALLERY ATTENDANT

Originally from Montana, Evelyn moved to Canada for love. She joined Pembina Hills Art Council in hopes of starting a career in bringing the arts to the community. Evelyn currently runs several small artistic studios in the Pembina community, and has so many ideas to bring to you for fun exhibits!(Forgive the photo. She is a wild and kooky character and this was the best photo we could find of her.)

Board of Directors
2025 - Present

Lorne Stelmach

Chair of the Board
Lorne is originally from Winnipeg and has called Morden him since 1987, building a career with local newspapers, including the Morden Times and the Winkler Morden Voice. With a long-standing interest in photography and poetry, he has always appreciated Morden’s vibrant and growing artistic community This motivated him to join the board of the Pembina Hills Arts Council, where he works to support the stability and growth of the organization and encourages others who value the arts to get involved.
Karen-Denise Cyr

Vice-Chair of the Board

Karen-Denise and her family live in Morden, having moved from Winnipeg in 2024 to serve as Executive Director at C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre in Winkler. She brings extensive professional experience in healthcare administration, emergency management, and volunteer management, and has served on numerous non-profit boards, including as Past Chair of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. She currently serves on the boards of the Winkler and District Healthcare Board, Carman Community Health Centre Board, and Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce. Passionate about supporting the arts, she is excited to contribute to PHAC’s board and help grow and sustain the region’s diverse and vibrant arts community.
Terri Clark

Board Member
Terri and her children volunteered for the 2024 Haunted Gallery, which inspired her to join the PHAC board to bring fresh ideas and help the gallery thrive. She works as a child care assistant, education assistant, and tutor for grade school, home school, and English-as-a-second-language students. Terri also volunteers as the children’s tent organizer for Morden’s Corn & Apple Festival and as a Language Buddy with Regional Connections. She enjoys participating in social groups that engage and highlight the local community.
Jahangir Alam Talukdar

Board Member
Jahangir currently works as a Financial Representative at Kognitive Sales Solutions and is deeply committed to community development and cultural engagement. As the founder of Morden Through The Lens, he has spent the past eight years capturing the heart of Morden through photography, including annual events like Morden WinterFest. He also serves as President of the Morden Roaring Lions Club and volunteers with the Manitoba Bangladeshi Friendship Club Inc., helping organize cultural events that bring people together. These experiences allow him to build meaningful relationships and contribute to the community in fulfilling and inspiring ways.
Inna Rasitsan

Board Member
Inna has actively given back to the community through volunteering with various local organizations. In the past, she has conducted a summer-long “speaking circle“ for Regional Connections and volunteered as a language buddy. Passionate about literature, poetry, and creative writing, Inna also has a strong interest in visual art, particularly mixed media. She iss drawn to the ways art can influence social change, support and mobilize communities in times of crisis, and provide space for exploring and witnessing challenging experiences.
Michelle Stelmach

Board Secretary
Michelle has lived in Morden for the past 40 years! Arts have always been important for her and she ahs fond memories f art classes back in high school, and continuing with numerous avenues of arts over the years. With the diverse arts culture in Morden, it was a logical choice for her to join the board. She has served as the secretary for the past 5+ years, and has led wine tasting events over the years, having a wine education including Spanish Wine Scholar.
Cyndy Kutzner

Treasurer
Cyndy has been a resident of Morden since 2001. She has worked as a Vice Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent for Western School Division, retiring in 2020. She believes in the importance of education and especially the importance of arts education. Arts in education is critical in developing strong social and emotional growth in children and youth, nurturing beliefs led to Cyndy’s decision to join the Pembina Hills Arts Council in 2020. She has enjoyed connecting with the community and assisting in supporting the Arts Council. A key takeaway from being on the Arts Council is that practicing and experiencing art in any format is beneficial to humanity.