Staff


Shawna Dwyer
Executive Director

shawna@chilliwackmuseum.ca
604-795-5210 ext.101


Shawna has lived in the community of Chilliwack for 5 years, having moved here in 2019 to fulfill the role of Executive Director of the Chilliwack Museum & Archives.

Shawna has worked in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors since 2009. Starting her career path as a visitor services attendant at the local museum in Lloydminster, SK. She completed a BA in History and Anthropology through the University of Alberta and a Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resource Management through Athabasca University. Shawna remained at the Lloydminster Cultural & Science Centre for nearly 10 years, fulfilling various roles in programming, collections, and for most of her career as the Manager.

Shawna has two young children who she is looking forward to raising in the community of Chilliwack, enjoys hiking & backpacking with her partner, and is completing an MA in Heritage & Social History. She is also the Vice-President of the Heritage Chilliwack Society and a member of Soroptimist International of Chilliwack.


Kate Feltren
Curator

kate@chilliwackmuseum.ca
604-795-5210 ext. 105


Kate joined the Chilliwack Museum and Archives team in 2021, excited to channel her passions for museums and art into her work. Daily work duties as Curator involve a variety of creative and technical tasks, such as managing the Museum’s diverse object collections and planning exhibitions.

Kate studied at UFV, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (Visual Arts Major), and later at UVIC for a Diploma in Cultural Resource Management. She has been involved in the field since 2009, when she first started volunteering at local museums. This work inspired her to pursue a career as a Curator.

Outside of the Museum, Kate can usually be found playing local tourist, either visiting other galleries and museums, exploring the outdoors (hiking or camping!), or searching for new restaurants to try.


Jessica Hrycyk
Administrative Coordinator

jessica@chilliwackmuseum.ca
604-795-5210 ext. 102


Jessica is both a recent addition to the Chilliwack Museum & Archives team and the community of
Chilliwack.

In 2014, Jessica received a Bachelor of Design at Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) University
with a Major in Illustration and a Minor in Drawing and Painting. Upon completion of her thesis, she also
received an Honourable Mention for the Robin & Doreen Cumine Award. After graduating, Jessica united
her passion for the arts and history, beginning her journey as an art instructor and educator. During this
time, she additionally established a small business and background as a freelance Illustrator working with
clients across Canada and the United States. In 2017, she received an award for her artwork from the
Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival juried art exhibition.

Jessica has a fondness for creating art and studying art history. In her leisure time, she enjoys fungi, and
flora foraging, birdwatching, spending time at museums and galleries, as well as delving into fantasy/sci-fi
universes.


Matthew Cook
Archives Technician

mcook@chilliwackmuseum.ca
604-795-5210 ext. 108


Ever since he was young, Matthew has been interested in working with heritage and material culture. He received a BA from UBC in Anthropology in 2013 and received an MA in Archaeology and Heritage of Asia from UCL in 2015. After a brief period of travelling in China, Matthew returned to his studies and completed an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester in 2020.

Not long after, Matthew started work at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives as the Archives Technician. His primary duties are to process donations, aid researchers, and assist the Archivist in other daily operations.


Sarah Belley
Education & Engagement Coordinator

sarah@chilliwackmuseum.ca
604-795-5210 ext. 103


Sarah graduated from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 2004. Her work experience over the past two decades has been largely in the non-profit sector, ranging from art galleries, museums, and cultural centers. She is now currently completing her MA at the University of British Columbia in Museum Education.  


Tristan Evans
Archivist

tristan@chilliwackmuseum.ca
604-795-5210 ext. 104


Tristan has a BA in History and Political Science from the University of California Davis.  In 2015, he obtained his MA in Public History with an emphasis on Archives and Manuscripts from California State University Sacramento.  Prior to moving to Chilliwack, Tristan worked in the Preservation Department for United Auburn Indian Community and in the processing lab for the California State Archives.  Tristan was a founding board of director member for Cosumnes Culture and WaterWays, a non-profit that explores ways to preserve, promote, and steward indigenous culture and waterways.  Additionally, he has worked on various collections at the Center for Sacramento History, Solano County Archives, and Lavender Library in Sacramento, California. 

In his spare time, Tristan enjoys whitewater kayaking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, and craft breweries.  



Not Pictured
Tyler Bignell, Collections Coordinator
tyler@chilliwackmuseum.ca | 604-795-5210 ext. 109

Tyler joined the Chilliwack Museum & Archives in 2024 as the Collections Coordinator.  In his role, Tyler is responsible for the care of the Museum’s object collection, such as cleaning objects, processing donations, and monitoring environmental conditions, as well as assisting the Curator with exhibition design and installation.

As a lifelong history enthusiast, Tyler completed a BA in History from the University of British Columbia in 2021, and has worked in the heritage sector ever since. 

In his free time, he enjoys travelling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.