WAF Committee
The Whitsundays Arts Festival committee is made up of enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers. They are Whitsunday residents involved in the arts, business, education and tourism industries. We are all contactable at:
info@whitsundaysartsfestival.org
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Jessica Begun - President
Festival Coordinator, Artist and Documentary Filmmaker
Jess Begun has been involved in arts practice and administration for fifty years on three different continents. After actively participating in the arts in Sydney, Brisbane and Maleny in theatre, film and ceramics, Jess moved to the Whitsundays looking forward to finding an opportunity to practice and promote the arts in this region. Jess and her husband acquired property at Cape Gloucester in 1995 and built the Eco Resort before moving here full time in 2013.
Karen Jacobsen - Secretary
Born and raised in Mackay, North Queensland, Karen lived in New York City for 20 years, becoming an award-winning Singer and Songwriter, Professional Speaker and voice in a billion devices worldwide. In 2020 she relocated to the Whitsundays becoming Destination Ambassador in award-winning, record-breaking campaigns, and with a desire to contribute to regional arts, co-founded the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and is President of the Whitsundays Writers Festival.
Pamella Regan-Fox - Treasurer
Pam is passionate about the arts, and dedicates her time to supporting the industry, as well as volunteering in other various pursuits such as wildlife rescue and environmental sustainability. An artist herself, she has been involved with the Festival since its inception.
Anna Sparkes - Marketing Director
Anna has extensive experience within business development, philanthropy, and marketing & event management. Working with leading not-for-profit arts, marketing and philanthropic organisations, she has been responsible for delivering strategic marketing campaigns and extending the reach and impact of the organisations regionally and nationally.
WAF TEAM
Sofia Fortunato - Children’s Workshop Coordinator
Sofia Fortunato (pen name Miss Sofi F.) is a published children’s book writer and illustrator. With a background in Marine Sciences and Arts, she writes and illustrates stories that connect children with nature. She is the founder of Little Red House Books and lives in the Whitsundays with her family.