Welcome to the New Honorary Governors
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is delighted to welcome seven new Honorary Governors; individuals whose leadership, generosity, and dedication to the arts have made a meaningful difference in Nova Scotia’s cultural community.
Our Honorary Governors are champions of the Gallery and of the arts more broadly. They understand the vital role the arts play in building inclusive, thoughtful, and vibrant communities. Each of our new appointees brings a deep connection to Nova Scotia’s cultural life and a shared belief in the power of art to inspire, connect, and bring people together. Their support strengthens the Gallery’s mission and helps ensure the AGNS remains a place where ideas and artistic expression can flourish.
These appointments come at an important moment for the AGNS as we continue to grow and evolve, expanding access to the arts for all Nova Scotians and reinforcing our role as a public institution. We are grateful for the guidance of these respected community leaders and pleased to recognize their longstanding commitment to the Gallery. Their impact, alongside the continued support of our board, members, partners, and public funders, helps build the strong foundation we move forward on together.
On behalf of the AGNS, I extend my warm congratulations and sincere thanks to our new Honorary Governors. I look forward to working together to advance the arts and to deepen the Gallery’s role as a vital, inclusive, and welcoming cultural space for everyone.
Sarah Moore Fillmore, CEO, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Welcome New Honorary Governors
Mark Bursey
Mark Bursey has been closely connected to the arts through his long-standing involvement with cultural institutions across Canada. Through his service on numerous boards and committees and his patronage of the arts, he has supported spaces where artists and audiences can encounter challenging and relevant art, contributing to a broader cultural dialogue that is both responsive and accessible. His sustained engagement aligns with the Gallery’s commitment to presenting contemporary work and fostering meaningful connections between art and community. Mark previously served as Chair of the AGNS Board of Directors and as former Vice-Chair of the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation Board.
Diane Campbell
Diane Campbell is a committed supporter of the arts whose engagement is rooted in generosity, care, and a belief in the value of cultural life. Through her leadership in the business community and her longstanding involvement with arts organizations, she has helped strengthen spaces where creativity, learning, and connection can flourish. Diane’s approach reflects a deep conviction that the arts play a vital role in fostering shared experience and understanding. Her steady commitment and thoughtful engagement embody the Gallery’s values of stewardship, inclusion, and public connection. Diane Campbell is the former President and CEO of Berkley Holdings Limited and was inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame in 2018.
Cecil Day
Artist Cecil Day has become a major figure in Atlantic Canadian printmaking since moving to Canada in 1979, both through her artwork and her support of emerging printmakers. Cecil’s practice mirrors the Gallery’s commitment to art that connects people with place while inviting reflection and broader public engagement. Her long-standing teaching and community practice further reflect the Gallery’s values of learning and inclusion. Cecil Day’s work is included in the permanent collections of The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Art Bank, University of New Brunswick Arts Centre, Canada Council Art Bank, and many private collections.
Elizabeth Enders
Artist Elizabeth Enders has enriched Nova Scotia’s visual arts through her evocative paintings and sustained engagement with the cultural life of the province. Elizabeth’s artistic practice reflects a deep dialogue with the province’s coastal light and open spaces, capturing both the spirit of place and the imagination of viewers and fellow artists. Her work and ongoing engagement exemplify the Gallery’s commitment to creativity that is rooted in place and resonant across communities. Elizabeth is represented by the Betty Cuningham Gallery, New York City. Her work is included in number of permanent collections including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Whitney Museum, New York.
Dennice Leahey
A career banker, Dennice rose throughout the RBC Financial Group to be Regional President of Manitoba, Nunavut and North-western Ontario, retiring as Senior Vice President and Ombudsman for the organization’s employees and customers world-wide. Volunteering throughout her career, she sat on Hospital, University, College, Aboriginal, Government, Cultural Institution and Community Boards and currently sits on 6 non-profit boards. Retiring in 2002 to Pugwash, her husband’s hometown and Halifax, she was honoured with the Eagle Feather in 1997, named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005 and received an Honorary Doctor in Humane Letters from MSVU in 2014. Through her advocacy and longstanding engagement, Dennice has consistently championed the role of cultural institutions as vital spaces for dialogue, learning, and shared experience across the province and beyond.
Rod McCulloch
Rod McCulloch has been an active contributor to the cultural life of Nova Scotia through his sustained involvement with arts organizations and community initiatives. Rod co-founded the Blue Nose Marathon in 2004 to raise money for local charities and encourage active lifestyles. His engagement has supported the growth of programs, events, and campaigns that enrich the lives of Nova Scotians. Rod has played a steady role in strengthening the structures that enable cultural institutions to thrive, particularly through collaboration, stewardship, and public participation. The impact of his contributions reflects the Gallery’s commitment to building lasting relationships between art, community, and shared experience. In 2016 Rod was recognized with a Meritorious Service medal from the Governor General of Canada.
John Volcko
John Volcko has contributed to the strategic guidance and sustainability of cultural institutions in Nova Scotia through his long-standing involvement with arts organizations and board service, including the AGNS Board of Directors from 2010-2016. His engagement reflects a commitment to supporting meaningful artistic experiences and fostering the capacity of institutions to present and preserve art. Through his governance and stewardship, John has contributed to the resilience and long-term vitality of cultural organizations in Nova Scotia. His contributions have strengthened the Gallery’s commitment to accessibility, public connection, and promoting the enduring impact of art. John is Vice President, Corporate Development, National Operations at PCL Constructors Canada Inc.