Meet the Board 2024
We invite you to take a few minutes to get acquainted with our Board of Directors for this new year. These individuals volunteer their time to help build the artists community in Redmond. Directors are elected for a 2 yr term, usually commencing in January. The DCAA is always looking for good people willing to share there time and skills/talent/interests in fulfilling our mission. . If you are interested in becoming a director contact any of the current directors for a nomination form.
Mel started his career as a cabinetmaker at the age of 23, in Klamath Falls, Or. Moving to Forest Grove in 1982 he started the shop again, Pacific Design Inc was born. The demand for his custom cabinets grew exponentially as did the shop sq footage and the number of skilled employees. 36 yrs later, 25 employees and 25,000 sq ft. later, it was time to call it a day. Mel had the distinct pleasure of designing and supplying the finest cabinets imaginable to some really incredible homes in the Pacific NW and Hawaii. Retirement brought time to re-ignite his passion for art in the medium of fused glass. You can see his work at www.melarcher.com In January of 2022 Mel was voted in as chairman of Dry Canyon Arts Assoc. and takes great satisfaction in seeing the Redmond artists community growing stronger. Contact Mel at chair@drycanyonarts.org
Mel Archer
Chair
In addition to traditional book making, Kelley loves to experiment with the book as a sculptural form. Using her passion for texture and color, she imaginatively forms miniature worlds in a variety of forms. Kelley creates interesting new art forms by altering old books. Kelley also delights in inventing her own books as well as building with book board and paper. She has an unsurpassed eye for detail and narrative. She joined the DCAA Board in January of 2022 and was elected vice-chair. Because her passion is for the artists and the community, Kelley also heads up the membership. DCAA has seen the membership grow from 30 to over 130 in one year. Kelley works with the board to create systems for sustainable growth with strong communication. Her desire is to see DCAA strong, and sustainable for years to come and leave the legacy of encouragement and collaboration between -art, artist, and community. Kelley served on the Sisters Arts Association board for 5 years and currently serves in a limited capacity other non-profits: Furnish Hope and New Each Morning. Contact Kelley at vicechair@drycanyonarts.org
Kelley Salber
Vice Chair
“Less slivers; more glitter!” - After 30 years as a high school educator in Colorado, Jay’s life-long dream of spending more time in the woodshop making “Man Glitter” (sawdust) has finally come to fruition! His teaching career encompassed everything from teaching high school English to Leadership classes to being the building coordinator for the district’s art-magnet program. Woodworking runs deep in his family heritage, so it came naturally, even as a kid, to create all kinds of items out of wood. As he has aged, his simple weekend woodworking projects extended into lengthier, more complex craftsmanship. Today, he gets to spend his days creating unique, one-of-a-kind crafted, hardwood pieces that not only accent any room in your home but are also practical for everyday use. Jay has the knack and experience for creating durable, wooden-wares such as charcuterie boards, cutting boards, coasters, Lazy Susans, small furniture pieces, quilt-hangers, photo-boxes, and picture frames. Jay looks forward to serving on the DCAA Board as the Events Chair! He sees continued growth and development of DCAA; building on the dedicated efforts of the previous leaders in this role. Contact Jay at events2@drycanyonarts.org
Jay Lowndes
Events Chair
Beth has enjoyed a number of careers from legal secretary to real estate broker to owner/operator of a niche travel business specializing in charter barge cruises and walking tours in France. Beth and her husband, Jack, sold their travel business in 2016 to retire and pursue other interests. What popped up for Beth was a newfound love of making art, most often acrylic and collage portraits and landscapes inspired by people and places she loves. Beth is excited to join the board of DCAA as Secretary and looks forward to being part of this growing vibrant community of creatives dedicated to expanding arts and culture in Redmond and beyond. Contact Beth at secretary@drycanyonarts.org
Beth Hanson
Secretary
As the Grants Committee Chair, Josie researches grants that will be beneficial to the DCAA organization and programs. She also helps members write grant proposals. Josie has also been involved in both the grant writing and the grant awarding process with non-profits and schools. An artist herself, she is pleased to support the DCCA mission. Contact Josie at grants1@drycanyonarts.org
Josie Powell
Grants
After a career in workforce development, Laurel rekindled her passion for fused glass and its organic feel and fluidity. Laurel fires both art and float glass in her home studio and draws her inspiration from the beauty of Central Oregon and the Oregon coast. Her work can be viewed on www.GoodLifeGlassbyLaurel.com Contact Laurel at firstfriday@drycanyonarts.org
Laurel Werhane
First Friday Art Walk
Bill, in an earlier life, spent 40+ years as a professional photographer specializing in scenic and environmental portraiture. After retiring Bill has been able to focus on his long time passion for wood work, which has now centered on ; turned and hand finished wood bowls and hollow vessels. Bill’s work is currently available at Arome in Redmond and Hood Avenue Art in Sisters. Contact Bill at treasurer@drycanyonarts.org
Bill Lind
Treasurer
Joan Bertucci Sheets has always drawn and painted. At a young age she used the family walls and book pages to fill with her imagination until her mother finally bought her some butcher paper.
* Education: Painting, drawing and graphics studies with a master degree in Art teaching
* Work experience: Window Display Designer Art teacher-public, private schools including Community colleges
* Art Educator: Portland Art Museum, Docent, trainer, and project director
* Artist-in-Residence: Hired to teach drawing and painting in schools Art Event co - creator, Art on The River, successful art show for over 10 years supporting the school art programs
Dry Canyon artist and education chair. Contact Joan at education@drycanyonarts.org
Joan Bertucci Sheets
Education Chair
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As a passionate and dedicated digital abstract artist with two years of experience, I am seeking an opportunity to develop my artistic career further and contribute to the vibrant art community. With a strong background in abstracts and manipulated photography, I aim to create thought-provoking and emotionally resonant artwork that engages audiences and sparks meaningful dialogue. My goal is to collaborate with like-minded professionals, galleries, and organizations to expand my artistic horizons, continuously evolve my craft, and leave a lasting impact on the world through the power of art. Contact James at newsletter@drycanyonarts.org
James Morris
Newsletter Chair
Toni Morgan
Marketing Committee Chair
Toni’s parents were both artists, and as a kid, she took lots of art classes and drew constantly. But Toni ended up a history major in college, a wife and mother, a budget counselor, and a banker. She also wrote non-fiction articles, mostly on finance. When Toni retired, she began writing in earnest—historical fiction set during WWII and the Vietnam war eras (www.tonimorganbooks.com). In addition to writing, Toni began to paint.
“I picked up my mother’s paintbrush where she left off—she’d been an ardent tole-painter for years, then at 80 went to Mexico for a month and came back painting furniture in wild and free colors.”
Toni painted birdhouses, boxes and furniture in the same spirit. She then decided to try her hand at more traditional art and took lessons for several years from Kevin McCain, a traditionally trained artist based in Boise, Idaho, where she then lived. Toni still loves strong, saturated colors and uses them in the landscapes and still lifes she continues learning to paint.
“For many years I’ve said writing is painting a story with words and painting is telling a story with color. Each time I put a canvas on my easel or start a box, birdhouse, or piece of furniture, I wonder what the story will be; how it will end.” – Toni Morgan. Contact Toni at marketing@drycanyonarts.org
After 40 years of providing business consulting services to non-profits, governments, and small businesses as both a team member and partner in Portland-area CPA and Consulting firms, Brad recently retired to “paradise” in Central Oregon. He has long been a supporter of the arts and is currently a woodworking “hobbyist” enjoying his passion for creating almost anything from wood.
Brad brings his business and finance experience to assist the Board in many of its administrative responsibilities. Currently he is working with Lend Me Your Walls and is a member of the Finance Committee. Contact Brad at lendmeyourwalls@drycanyonarts.org.
Brad Rafish
Lend Me Your Walls
Janice Tracy began studying art in the 90s as a “DIY” way to decorate her walls. With the help of art classes and many days painting alongside mentor Avalon Parsons in her studio outside of Bend, Oregon, she developed an impressionist style that follows her in whatever medium she chooses. Jan's media and methods are eclectic and include oils, cut paper collage, and water media on non-traditional surfaces.
She has lived on both sides of the Cascades and it shows in her work, which often reflects mountain, forest and coastal scenes. She has worked in the legal field as well as writing for newspapers from Longview, Washington to Bend, Oregon. She has served as president of the Society of Washington Artists and secretary for Mosaic Arts Alliance, and is thrilled to be able to use her energy and enthusiasm to assist Dry Canyon Arts Association. She goes by "Jan" unless her mother is in earshot. Contact Janice at Janice.tracy@gmail.com
Janice Tracy
Steve's formal training is in architecture (B.S.A.S. University of Nebraska, Lincoln), though he departed that field soon after college to pursue a vocation in Information Technology. But despite all those years programming, Steve never let his sketchbook grow cold nor did he turn down design and graphic opportunities when they came along. His passions today are the fine arts, focusing mostly on portraiture using dry mediums. Contact Steve at media@drycanyonarts.org
Stephen Gasior
Webmaster
Board advisors
Board advisors have skills in certain areas that are invaluable to the board and assist the board in making decisions