For all of its small-city charm, Traverse City possesses plenty of massive-metropolis sophistication – thanks largely to its established and thriving arts group. The Great Exhibition of 1851 and a few areas such as the Refreshment Rooms of the South Kensington Museum (later known as the V&A) within the 1860s had given decorative artists the prospect to indicate their work publicly, but with no common showcase they had been struggling to exert influence and to achieve potential customers.

As a volunteer Julian has served on many boards, together with president of the Edmonton Arts Council and the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta; just lately serving on the Arts and Cultural Management Advisory Committee for Grant MacEwan University and presently a board member for FireFly Theatre.