Board Members

I was born in Seattle, raised in Wenatchee, then came back to Seattle for college at Seatttle Pacific.  Following my graduation, I started teaching and enjoyed doing that for 30 years.

I enjoy volunteering in the Community and have done so in many areas for many years. 

One of my favorite Allied Arts Events is the wonderful quality of the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra playing here in Renton at RHS's Ikea Performing Arts Center every October. (IPAC).

I was born and raised in Burbank, California. I lived in various places around the San Fernando Valley until I moved to Renton in 1989 with my husband, Steve, and daughter Calandra. I worked as a special education teacher for the L.A. Unified School District for eleven years. After moving to Renton, I taught special ed for a couple of years and then went into substitute teaching. I was also a Reading specialist, which was my favorite job.

I have always been creative. When I was young, I made most of my clothes but I don't sew anymore. Later, I began to take studio art classes at community college in the evening. I learned drawing, watercolor painting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, and printmaking, Finally, making fabricated jewelry using an acetylene torch became my passion for years. I even sold some of my work. I got away from my art hobbies for some time and only recently began drawing again. I work in graphite and charcoal and enjoy drawing my favorite musicians and actors. I'm obsessed with birds and films. I like to cook. 

Maybe you can tell from my profile picture that I enjoy having fun. (In that picture I was dressed to play a character in a very informal Shakespeare reading)   For me, helping people energizes me. That’s why I serve on the Advisory Board for the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center and as secretary of  Allied Arts of Renton.  Doing things with family and friends, like my upcoming pumpkin carving party, is creative and fulfilling.  Singing, writing, playing ping pong, and learning to play pool are definitely rewarding for me.   Dancing with my husband,  especially to rock’n’roll numbers, is great fun.   I hope that all who find us on this page find enjoyment and opportunities.

Art, in its many forms, enriches our lives and lifts our spirits.  Supporting creativity in our community is what our organization is about.  That is why I feel privileged to serve as secretary of this great, active, talented, nonprofit organization, Allied Arts of Renton.  

I came to Renton from Rainier Valley in 1983 to attend beauty school and never left. In 39 years, I worked at 3 hair salons in Renton and have since retired. I now focus on friendships, gardening, travel, my dogs and creating art at home. What inspired me to join Allied Arts of Renton is when my 3 children attended Sierra Heights Elementary School, I had the opportunity to be an art docent for 9 years. I loved how exposure to art classes made some of the students just come alive and many of the parents who volunteered at first said "I am not an artist, I wouldn't know what to do.”  But when shown how fun and accessible it was to learn, play and experience art, they enjoyed it too. 

Sierra Heights was a recipient of a generous grant from Allied Arts to support the art classes with supplies for which I am grateful as well.  

I hope more community members can enjoy access to various forms of art through the support of Allied Arts of Renton and am looking forward to working towards that goal with this group of volunteers.  
 

 I have lived in many locations all over the United States & Europe, having served in the United States Air Force. I moved to Renton in 2011 & call this her forever home. My interest in creating various art mediums started in my 30s. I am a landscape & macro photographer, and enjoy creating mixed media art, collages & altered art. I have recently gotten involved in teaching art classes at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center & hope to be involved in other city art events. 

I was born in Glendale, CA in 1946, in the same hospital as my wife, Betty. We both grew up in the San Fernando Valley until we moved to Renton in 1989. I worked as an independent IT consultant and as an Application Support Supervisor for the City of Renton until my retirement in 2008. Since then, I have been actively serving on the board of the TELOS Student Organization, a retiree education organization affiliated with Bellevue College.

I have had the opportunity to travel extensively with my daughter, sister, and other companions to various countries including Cuba, Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Romania, the Greek Islands, Argentina, Ecuador, China, Ireland, Turkey, and Hungary. I have had a lifelong passion for photography and have documented my travels abroad through my lens.

I am delighted to be able to support all forms of art in my new hometown of Renton, and I enjoy working with everyone on the Board.