Our team • Artstra

MEET OUR TEAM

We are an all-volunteer working board, dedicated to uplifting and connecting the community through the power of the arts. Our work focuses on our programs and partnerships to carry out our mission. If you are passionate about the arts in our community and the power that art has to enhance our lives, please consider joining us. Volunteers are needed for Poetry Moves, Open Studios, and Creative Relief. Additionally, if you have professional skills and experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or arts administration, we’d love to talk with you.

Board of Directors meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Arts Hub, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663. If you are interested in attending, please contact us at info@artstra.org. Our meetings are open to the public, and we welcome all.

Michele Hanlon

BOARD CHAIR

Michele Hanlon

BOARD CHAIR

Michele Hanlon relocated to Vancouver from North Texas in July of 2021. She has worked in the arts as a performer, creator, advocate and arts administrator, most recently serving as Associate Dean for the Arts at The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, TX where she was a member of the dance faculty. She earned a BFA in Dance From the University of Arizona, an MFA in Dance From Texas Christian University, and an MPA from the University of Texas at Dallas. Hanlon founded and co-directed Elledanceworks, a professional modern dance company based in Dallas, TX. Her choreography has been presented in Düsseldorf Germany, the Scandinavian Dance Congress, Kedja, Oslo, Norway, and throughout the South and Central US. Michele is a graduate of Fort Vancouver High School in Vancouver, WA.

Email:info@artstra.org

Martin Chetlen

INTERIM TREASURER

Martin Chetlen

INTERIM TREASURER

A lifelong audiophile and passionate lover of classical and classic film music, Martin has amassed an impressive library containing over 2,000 CDs. His deep appreciation for music extends beyond mere enjoyment; it is a significant part of his identity and daily life. In addition to his technical and academic pursuits, Martin has dedicated much of his time to community service and leadership. He has served as an executive board member of a religious non-profit organization as well as the Friends of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Today, he continues to support the arts as a blogger for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, where he shares his insights and enthusiasm for music. Martin also volunteers at their concerts and events, contributing to the vibrant cultural scene in Vancouver. Known for his inquisitive nature, he seeks to deepen his knowledge and engagement within the arts community, striving to contribute in meaningful ways. Martin’s contributions to the arts, education, and community service reflect his dedication to positively impacting the community.

Jean Lacrosse

SECRETARY

Jean Lacrosse

SECRETARY

Jean LaCrosse was born and raised in Eastern Oregon. After finishing her BFA at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Jean worked as an art director for ad agencies and design firms in Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ. She has partnered in and owned two design firms, a fine-art business and established a music and hi-fi magazine currently in its 13th year with worldwide distribution. Some of Jean’s past clients include: Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Memorial Health Foundation, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Bombardier Canadair. Her fine art business secured licenses to sell images of Porsche and GM cars as well as Ducati motorcycles.

Abhi Gupta

VICE CHAIR

Abhi Gupta

VICE CHAIR

Abhi is a fine art photographer based in Vancouver, WA. His artistic journey began as a personal healing practice—discovering solace and purpose behind the lens while exploring nature's beauty and the extraordinary hidden within everyday moments like soap film photography. Driven by a deep belief in art's transformative power, Abhi is passionate about sharing that healing experience with others and connecting with the arts community.

Deborah Nagano

BOARD MEMBER

Deborah Nagano

BOARD MEMBER

Deborah Nagano combines a lifelong passion for the arts with a distinguished legal career. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Deborah spent four decades as a successful attorney in California. She’s held board and officer roles in various organizations, currently serving as the Chair of the Clark County Arts Commission and the Co-President of the Artisans’ Guild of Camas. She’s a mother, grandmother, and amateur artist who admires the transformative power of art in fostering dialogue, broadening perspectives, and connecting humanity. Her multifaceted journey enriches Artstra’s mission to celebrate and promote the arts.

Anna Cruz

BOARD MEMBER

Anna Cruz

BOARD MEMBER

Anna B. Cruz grew up in Jalisco, Mexico, studied dance and choreography at the University of Guadalajara. She is the director of Vancouver Ballet Folklorico, a local dance group focusing on inspiring and engaging Hispanic children to learn, appreciate and preserve the roots and traditions of the Mexican culture through dance, music, discipline and creativity. Anna has been engaged in art and culture in the Northwest since 2010. Her passion for Day of the Dead celebrations is known in the community.

Elmo Shade

BOARD MEMBER | POETRY MOVES DIRECTOR

Elmo Shade

BOARD MEMBER | POETRY MOVES DIRECTOR

Elmo Shade is a poet and author of The Dark Side of White Bread- Surviving Our Fathers: A Poetry Chapbook; Atmosphere Press; 2023, as well as three (3) additional poetry collections. He is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher-Professional (CMT-P) and is the founder of Poetry Street PNW (formally Camas Open Mic), in Camas, Washington. His work has been published in The SubjectivJournal, Pointed Circle, Nine Cloud Journal, Western Washington Poets Network Anthology, Artstra Poetry Moves, and elsewhere. He lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest and is Artsta’s new Poetry Moves Director.

Mark Keraly

BOARD MEMBER

Photographer Mark taking a picture with a large format film camera

Mark Keraly

BOARD MEMBER

After 20 years as a commercial studio photographer, Mark moved to Vancouver, Washington, in 2025 and began his focus on fine art film photography and traditional printing processes. Deeply passionate about the artistic process, Mark is focused on supporting and uplifting local artists, helping ensure they have the visibility and resources to thrive.

Lilian Belaen

BOARD MEMBER | CREATIVE RELIEF DIRECTOR

Lilian Belaen

BOARD MEMBER | CREATIVE RELIEF DIRECTOR

Lilian Belaen serves as the Creative Relief Director, bringing a passion for community wellness, creative connection, and accessible arts programming. As an artist, facilitator, and event organizer based in Vancouver, WA, she specializes in developing collaborative art experiences that foster healing and meaningful engagement. Lilian holds a BA from Carroll University and brings 24 years of experience in employee benefits to her work. In 2025, she launched Uplift Teams to integrate her expertise in professional training with her dedication to art and wellness. Her work emphasizes the arts as a vital source of stress relief and emotional well-being. With extensive experience coordinating large-scale interactive murals and partnering with local organizations, Lilian provides both artistic vision and community leadership. She defines art as "A Restorative Tool" and believes it should be accessible to everyone. In her current role, she focuses on expanding creative engagement, supporting outreach initiatives, and developing accessible art programs throughout Clark County.

Russ Ford

Board Member

Russ Ford

Board Member

Russ holds a B.A. in Art Education, a B.S. in Technology Education, and an M.A. in Arts Education from Western Washington University. With over 25 years of teaching experience in the Hockinson School District of Brush Prairie, Washington, he has inspired students to explore creativity and self-expression through the visual arts. A long-time member of the Washington Art Education Association, Russ has received both the WAEA Art Educator of the Year and Secondary Arts Educator of the Year awards. He also served on the state committee that developed Washington’s arts standards and classroom assessments. As a practicing artist, Russ has exhibited work at the Aurora Art Gallery, The Cave Gallery, Aqua Gallery, and the Oregon Society of Artists, and completed an artist residency at WayiWayi Studios in Zambia. Currently, he continues to teach ceramic arts part-time, volunteer in local schools, and serve on the Vancouver Public Arts Committee and the Pacific Northwest Sculptors board. Believing that art transcends boundaries, Russ is committed to fostering community connection and understanding through creative expression.

Angela Cochran

Board Member

Angela Cochran

Board Member

Angela Cochran is a lifelong Vancouver, WA resident with more than 30 years of professional experience in media and the arts. Most of her career has been dedicated to producing programming for local cable channels while working across community, government, and educational television facilities in the Vancouver–Portland area. At MetroEast Community Media, she produced and directed multi-camera coverage of concerts, jazz festivals, multicultural showcases, and community events, as well as numerous live studio discussion shows. She produced and directed the live coverage of the Best of the Northwest Video Awards Presentation for five years and led workshops and camps that introduced youth, nonprofits, and community members to television production. At Evergreen Public Schools, she developed district-wide programming for three educational cable channels, including the monthly series YES-TV, a newsmagazine show featuring short video stories about district activities and student achievements. She trained students in hands-on crew roles for live coverage of art shows, drama and dance competitions, and music performances — including the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony — while securing grants that expanded the district’s production facilities. In 2018, Angela founded Reach Strategic, a marketing and video production company serving businesses and nonprofits in Southwest Washington and Oregon. Today she produces promotional videos and multi-camera event coverage, and develops content marketing campaigns that integrate video, SEO, social media management, reputation marketing, and website development. Through both her professional work and her partnership with Artstra, Angela continues to celebrate and amplify the arts across her community.

Shon-Lueiss Harris

Poetry Moves Program Coordinator

Shon-Lueiss Harris

Poetry Moves Program Coordinator

Shon-Lueiss Harris is poet, copywriter, and artist. Drawing and painting captured his attention early in life, but it wasn't until moving to the Pacific Northwest that he fell in love with writing. Since then he has channeled his creativity to develop high-impact marketing campaigns by day and write poetry by night. His work has been published in Poetry Moves and Beacon Quarterly, as well as in his newsletter, Dreamsong. He serves on the Culture, Arts, & Heritage Commission where he advocates for art and culture programs that invite the whole community to participate.

Jennifer Williams

CLARK COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS DIRECTOR

Jennifer Williams

CLARK COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS DIRECTOR

Jennifer Williams is a Pacific Northwest environmental landscape painter. Since graduating from Portland State University in 1996 with her Bachelor of Science and Fine Arts degree, she has developed a distinct style of mixed-media that has led to a strong following that includes corporate and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. Painting full time, Williams work has been shown regionally for over twenty-five years. Williams took the lead in launching the Clark County Open Studios program in 2013 and has been the director for the past ten years, devoting much of her time to artist mentoring and arts advocacy.

Karen Madsen

BOARD ADVISOR

Karen Madsen

BOARD ADVISOR

Karen (K.C.) Madsen has a background in both business and art. She was partner in a successful small business, holding patents in four countries and ultimately licensing her product to 3M Corp. She served on advisory boards in Portland relating to education and affordable housing before returning to school to earn an MA in studio art at New York University. She has exhibited in New York and on the west coast and was included in the Portland Art Museum’s 2006 Oregon Biennial. Karen has curated local art installations and spearheaded two arts and culture summits, helping to shape a vision for the arts in southwest Washington.

Kim Eisenhower

BOARD ADVISOR

Kim Eisenhower

BOARD ADVISOR

Kim Eisenhower is a creative consultant with over 25 years of experience specializing in crafting impactful marketing, event, and customer relations strategies, as well as 8 years dedicated to the nonprofit sector. Kim assumed several pivotal roles in the Arts, including Marketing Director at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Marketing and Communications Manager at Portland Chamber Orchestra, Creative Director with SWWA Center for the Arts, and Project Manager for the national expansion of All Classical Portland’s Recording Inclusivity Initiative. Her projects extended to collaborations with the Walla Walla Symphony, the Siletz Bay Music Festival, and the Oregon Coast Jazz Party. She has facilitated the management and booking of various musicians and organizations as a production manager and booking agent. Kim believes that collaborations with fellow changemakers strengthen our vibrant cultural communities and foster deeper connections between artists and their audience. She strives to develop and execute meaningful arts initiatives that transform communities through the power of the arts.