Learn about our 2022/2023 Youth Arts Council
Meet the members of our 2022/2023 Youth Arts Council! This season’s Youth Arts Council (YAC) is comprised of 5 engaging and inspiring youth from grade 9 – 12 who are keen to encourage other youth to participate in the arts.
Ashley Yoo, Director of Marketing
My name is Ashley Yoo and I am a grade 9 at Cariboo Hill in Burnaby. I love art and I’ve been doing it for a very long time. I really enjoy painting, watercolour, drawing and sketching specifically. I do it all the time. I also play the violin for music, and I love Stray Kids (K-POP group). This is my first year in YAC or any form of a council and leading things. I took part because I wanted to learn about leadership skills and learn how to work with other people to plan things together. Creativity as a group is very important and it’s so cool to see everyone’s ideas and discuss them.
Gianna Kim, President
I am a grade 11 student at Charles Best who has always loved different art mediums such as drawing, dancing and painting. During my years volunteering at PdA, I didn’t know there was a Youth Arts Council, so I had no clue what it would entail. When I came to the first meeting, however, I immediately knew it had been a great decision as it felt as though we had all been friends for years. I found it to be very special and rewarding to have the privilege to help create events that represented my love for the arts and my community.
Kirsten Basilian, Director of Community Events
My name is Kirsten and I am 17 years old. I am currently in my grad year of 2023 at Centennial Secondary School. With a passion for the arts that spans as far back as I can remember, I am thrilled to join the Youth Arts Council this year as a new member. Having volunteered with children at Place des Arts, I have seen the power that art can have on young minds. For years I’ve been drawn to the challenge of portraiture. Whether it’s capturing the details of the human face or portraying a sense of identity to tell a unique story, there’s always something new to explore and discover.
Furthermore, my passion for giving back is also evident within my school. I am running a student-led initiative called Pink Project, which supports women and BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people within the community. Joining the Youth Arts Council was a natural next step for me, as it allows me to continue to support youth in their creative journeys and make a positive impact on the community through artistic leadership.
Laraine Lam, Director of External Relations
I am a grade 10 student at Pinetree Secondary School. I am elated to be in this year’s YAC where I have the scope to share my interest in the arts, especially to our generation. I have an ardent passion for arts and music and so being a member of the Council is the best thing I can do. Through organizing and participating in diverse activities, not only can I kindle others’ interests in the arts, but I can also stimulate my creativity. This year, I will strive to fulfil my responsibilities and help more people understand the significance and meaning of art. I sincerely hope that more people, old or young, can be exposed to divergent kinds of arts, and acquired a taste for them.
Nicole Li, Director of Internal Relations
I am an 11th grader at Dr. Charles Best. From a young age, I went to painting classes at Place des Arts and was involved with their Summer Camp. I enjoy a variety of visual arts including digital art, watercolour, painting and 2D animation. In high school, I also take electives related to the arts, like Media Design and Animation. I enjoy trying various forms of art, allowing me to tap into my imagination. Some of my hobbies are designing characters, reading and creating animations.