Meet Our Staff

Karen Hanan sits looking at the camera with yellow wall and art behind her.

Karen Hanan

Executive Director

360.252.9976

Karen Hanan is a senior executive with 25 years of successful leadership with state and regional arts organizations. She was appointed Director of ArtsWA by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2014. Hanan’s focus is growing the organization’s capacity and services to positively impact the arts, and WA’s creative economy. Previously, Hanan was Director of Arts Northwest, the regional service organization for performing arts. Before that, she founded and directed the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts. She is a respected member of several industry organizations and boards of directors.

Michelle Avitia

Program Coordinator
Art in Public Places

360.485.1344

Michelle joined ArtsWA in April 2022 as the Art in Public Places Program Coordinator. Before joining ArtsWA, Michelle was the Office Manager at Church Rietzke Johnson, PLLC where she managed multiple overlapping tasks, and became very familiar with many new policies, laws, and regulations. During her years with the law firm, Michelle utilized her wide experience to create in-depth procedures to improve overall administrative processes. Her work requires close attention to detail and clear communication skills, two strengths she attributes to her background as a writer and editor. She holds a B.A. from San Jose State University in English and Professional Technical Writing.

Daniya Baisubanova

Daniya Baisubanova

 Program Specialist
Wellness, Arts, and the Military

360-252-9979

Daniya Baisubanova joined the Arts Commission in December 2022 as the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Program Specialist. Before joining ArtsWA, Daniya supported the Arts Program at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and served as their internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Facilitator. Previously, Daniya served at the Washington State Women’s Commission, and managed international development projects in Kyrgyzstan.

Daniya holds a B.A. in Political Science from the American University of Central Asia, and a Master of Arts in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Daniya is excited to be joining ArtsWA and is keen to promote the healing power of arts among the military community.

Bryan Bales

 Program Manager
Wellness, Arts, and the Military

360.485.1516

Bryan Bales joined ArtsWA in July 2022 as the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Program Manager. Bryan is a Marine Corps Veteran with a BA in Social Science from WSU and a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Warner Pacific University. Bryan is a WA State Certified Peer Counselor. Bryan has a deep understanding and appreciation of the arts and looks forward to connecting service members and veterans to the arts to be able to learn new skills, find a new passion and/or purpose, and discover the healing benefits that the arts can provide.

Jonah Barrett

Jonah Barrett

Collections Coordinator
Art in Public Places

360.485.1262

Jonah is the Collections Coordinator for the Art in Public Places program. They got their start at ArtsWA as a student employee from 2014-2016, and returned in November 2021. Jonah regularly helps with assessing artworks, collections organization and archiving, and object photography. Jonah also served as the Art Collection Project Manager for The Evergreen State College’s art collection. Both as an artist and administrator, they have made their career growing arts and creative sectors in the South Puget Sound region. Besides a filmmaking and published writing career, they have worked as a marketing director, bookseller, and script supervisor on various films.

Gabriel Brown

Conservation Lead, 3D and Integrated Artwork

360.485.1518

Gabriel joined the Art in Public Places program in 2022 as a Conservation Lead of 3D and Integrated Artwork. Previously he worked for 9 years coordinating public art programs for Spaceworks Tacoma. Born and raised in Spokane, Brown is also a shoe cobbler and a visual artist, focusing on sculpture and performance art. After graduating from Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University, he went on to earn an M.F.A. from Washington State University.

Todd Clark headshot

Todd Clark

Program Lead
Tribal Cultural Affairs

360.485.1223

Todd joined ArtsWA in February 2024 as the Tribal Cultural Affairs Program Coordinator. Prior to joining ArtsWA, Todd served as the program manager for the University of Washington’s Center for American Indian & Indigenous Studies. Before UW, he worked in the museum field for several years and as an independent curator with a focus on contemporary Native arts. Todd is an enrolled member of the Wailacki-Round Valley Indian Tribes and is a dedicated and passionate advocate for Native art and artists.

Headshot of Judy Cullen

Judy Cullen

Program Specialist
Arts in Education

360.252.9972

Judy joined ArtsWA as a contractor in July of 2013. She became part of ArtsWA staff in January 2017. She coordinates Washington’s Poetry Out Loud (POL) program. POL is a national poetry recitation contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. A Pacific Northwest artist, Judy has over 30 years of experience in theatre and opera. She has served many Pierce County arts non-profits. Judy has self-published ten titles of fiction, poetry, and reflective essays.

Photo of Carina del Rosario

Carina A. del Rosario

Program Specialist
Arts in Education

360.485.1222

Carina A. del Rosario coordinates the Washington Youth Arts Leadership program. Outside of her role at ArtsWA, Carina serves as faculty for the Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab and as an independent teaching artist. Her own visual art has been presented at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the City of Seattle’s ARTS at King Street, and in public places around King County. She was presented with the KCTS’ Golden Apple Award for Innovation in Education in 2020, and the International Examiner’s Individual Community Voice Award in 2013.

Adam Fah

Conservation Manager
Art in Public Places

360.252.9971

Adam is the Conservation Manager in the Art in Public Places program, where he has worked since 2007. He designs and implements care for existing works, manages a staff of four technicians, oversees contracted conservation projects, and participates in the Conservation Review process for new artwork acquisition to the State Art Collection. Adam holds a Bachelor of Science in Art from Eastern Oregon University and has been a professional patineur for over 25 years. Since 2000, he has owned and operated studios specializing in fine art casting (silicon bronze); fabrication, repair, and restoration of metal sculpture; and conservation of exterior contemporary sculpture.

Heide Fernandez-Llamazares

My Public Art Portal Manager
Art in Public Places

360.252.9977

Heide joined ArtsWA as Project Manager for My Public Art Portal in January 2016. She manages the online presentation of Washington’s State Art Collection. Previously, Heide managed a private collection, worked in Education at Tacoma Art Museum, and worked as a technical writer. She is passionate about art and collections, and loves working in an environment that includes art on a daily basis.

Korja Giles

Budget Analyst

360.485.1106

Korja joined the ArtsWA team as a budget analyst in March 2023. Prior to this, she worked for several years at a local credit union and nearly a decade at a non-profit arts organization. She’s excited to bring those two worlds together and support the amazing work being done by the ArtsWA team. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The Evergreen State College.

Miguel Guillén

Program Manager
Grants to Organizations

360.252.9970

Miguel Guillén joined ArtsWA in 2016 and currently serves as Program Manager for the Grants to Organizations program. As a seasoned arts administrator, Miguel provides support to community-based arts organizations and projects, small arts groups, and artists across Washington. He has previously managed arts programs for the private sector. Raised in the Skagit Valley, Miguel received an Arts Management Certificate from Seattle Central College. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle. He is a practicing visual artist.

Alcamy Henriksen

Alcamy Henriksen

Conservation Technician

360.252.9978

Alcamy Henriksen joined ArtsWA in the summer of 2023 as a Conservation Technician for the Art in Public Places Program. She has been working in conservation for over a decade with private practice conservators, among them Bynon Arts Services, as well as for The Tennessee State Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and The Notarial Archives in New Orleans. A Graduate of The North Bennet Street School in Boston she specializes in book and paper conservation and is currently pursuing another degree at The Evergreen State College. Alcamy is a classically trained bookbinder and practicing artist focusing on photography, alternative processes, and 2D art.

Jonathan Hickerson

Conservation Lead, Central and Eastern Washington

360.485.1521

Jonathan Hickerson joined ArtsWA in July 2022 and currently serves as the Conservation Lead for Eastern Washington’s Art in Public Places program. He maintains, repairs, installs, and transports public art throughout the state. Previously, he served for eleven years as an artists’ assistant and foundry technician at the Walla Walla Foundry. Hickerson is also a multi-media sculptor based in Walla Walla. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Wyoming.

Janae Huber

Janae Huber

Collections Manager
Art in Public Places

360.252.9975

Janae has served as the Collections Manager for the Art in Public Places program since 2005. She stewards the care of the State Art Collection and maintains ongoing relationships with statewide partners. She previously served as the Tacoma Art Museum registrar. She held curatorial roles at the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson. Janae has served two terms on the Olympia Arts Commission. She founded the advocacy group Olympians for People-Oriented Places (O-POP), focusing on land use and planning. She completed undergraduate degrees in Art History and German Studies at the University of Arizona.

Portrait of Lauren Iida

Lauren Iida

Project Manager
Art in Public Places

360-485-1224

Lauren Iida manages Art in Public Places projects in public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. She is also a practicing artist and graduate of Cornish College of the Arts (’14) in Seattle. Her passion lies at the intersection of art and social justice. She believes that art is a powerful tool for storytelling and connection and an important lens through which to investigate culture and heritage.

Linnea Ingalls

Linnea Ingalls

Program Coordinator
Tribal Cultural Affairs

360-252-9969

Linnea Ingalls joined ArtsWA in January 2021 with Grants to Organizations and joined the Tribal Cultural Affairs program in July 2024. She trained and practiced as a theatre artist for many years, as well as co-founded a community storytelling and performance series, She is Fierce Stories. She holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University, focusing on participatory creativity and culturally relevant arts access. A supporter for the creation of the Tribal Cultural Affairs program since she began with ArtsWA, Linnea is honored to now devote her career to Tribal and Native communities and cultures.

Desiree Johnson

Desiree Johnson

Fiscal Analyst

360.485.1497

Desiree has a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis and a Minor in Cinematic Arts from the University of Southern California. Her passion and commitment to the arts is what brought her to ArtsWA, where she serves as the Fiscal Analyst to the operations team. Her role supports both the Deputy Director and Budget Analyst in daily operations of agency level needs. Desiree’s work at ArtsWA supports the agency’s goal to ensure arts funding is accessible to all Washingtonians.

Adrienne Kerrigan

Community Relations Program Coordinator

360.485.1269

Adrienne joined ArtsWA in March 2022 and supports the Communications team with their online presence and administrative needs. She previously worked in roles that included website and marketing development, systems management, and graphic design. She is passionate about the written word and loves working at the intersection of communication and arts culture. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Seattle Pacific University.

Tamar Krames

Tamar Krames

Program Manager
Arts In Education

360.643.6385

Tamar joined ArtsWA in 2019. She oversees projects that expand arts and cultural learning opportunities for young people. Her past work as a K-12 educator, an artist, and in teacher education has focused on language, literacy, and culture. Current projects include AIE grants, building bridges between schools and community organizations, and amplifying the creative practices of youth and educators. Tamar holds a Master in Teaching degree from The Evergreen State College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute.

Marissa Laubscher

Project Manager
Art in Public Places

360.252.9974

Marissa manages Art in Public Places projects. She travels across the state to facilitate site-responsive artwork commissions in public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. Prior to joining ArtsWA in 2015, she managed public art and exhibitions for the City of San Antonio’s International Airport, Libraries, City Hall, and the X Marks the Art temporary storefront art program. Bringing art into everyday life is her passion. She holds a Master’s in Arts Management from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s in Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Ashley Marshall

Administrative Assistant
Grants to Organizations

360-485-1524

Ashley has joined the Grants to Organizations team as the Administrative Assistant. She has a Masters of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership from Seattle University where her work includes experience with Wa Na Wari, the 2020 exhibition Abstractions of Black Citizenship: African American Art from Saint Louis, and the applied Arts Ecosystem Research Project (AERP). She enjoys learning about the rich, expansive, and impactful arts and culture history in Washington State and is passionate about sharing that history with others.

Kalei Matsui

Kalei Matsui

Program Coordinator
Arts in Education

360.252.9987

Kalei Matsui joined ArtsWA July 2023 and serves as the Arts in Education Program Coordinator. Previously, she held roles as Master Teaching Artist with Arts Corps and Director of Museum Services at the Wing Luke Museum of Asian Pacific American Experience. An artist in dance, music, and lei, Kalei is currently the Founding Leader of Polynesian Dance Troupe Huraiti Mana. Kalei views the arts as a powerful vessel for igniting cultural pride and cultivating belonging. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Seattle University where she also studied entrepreneurship and design.

Portrait of Rebecca Merkley

Rebecca Merkley

Project Manager
Art in Public Places

360-252-9986

Rebecca joined ArtsWA in 2024 and is based in eastern Washington. She earned her MFA in painting and sculpture from Idaho State University in 2018 and taught courses in studio and art history at the college level prior to joining ArtsWA. As a studio artist, she exhibits nationally and internationally and has a variety of works in public and private collections. She served on the Pasco Arts and Culture Commission from 2019-2023 and is dedicated to promoting accessibility and community engagement.

Jared Moore

Conservation Lead, 2D Artwork, Workspace, and Safety

360.932.8908

Jared joined the Art in Public Places program in September of 2019. He maintains, repairs, installs, and transports public art throughout the state. He has previously served as the Lead Art Handler at the Seattle Art Museum for the last five years. Prior to that he worked for eight years at Artech Fine Art Services. In addition, Jared has worked extensively at several frame shops and galleries and holds a degree in Psychology and Fine Art from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Leslie Pope

Executive Assistant

360.252.9983

Leslie serves as Executive Assistant to Karen Hanan, ArtsWA’s Executive Director. She connects Karen with constituents and legislators, supports the 23-member ArtsWA Board, and wears the Human Resources Liaison hat. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration, and has extensive work experience with organizations in both the public and private sectors. Her experience and interest in the arts is multi-faceted, which is reflected in the many aspects of support for the arts she provides within ArtsWA. Current personal pursuits include writing, music, and theater.

Janessa Post

Janessa Post

Project Manager
Art in Public Places

360-485-1221

Janessa manages Art in Public Places projects in public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. Before joining ArtsWA in 2024, she oversaw art projects for corporate and hospitality spaces and contributed to curation, marketing, and community programming at arts nonprofits, museums, and galleries. Passionate about fostering inclusivity and creating community impact through art, Janessa holds a Master’s in Visual and Critical Studies, a Bachelor’s in Art History, and a Museum Studies Certificate.

Thomas Grant Richardson

Director, Center for Washington Cultural Traditions

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Thomas Grant Richardson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions, a state-wide folk and traditional arts program presented in collaboration with Humanities Washington. Through on-the-ground programs, including the Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program and the Cultural Traditions Survey, the Center is a go-to source for learning about Washington’s rich, diverse cultural heritage. Dr. Richardson views the folk and traditional arts are the lifeblood of healthy communities and testament to the myriad forms of human creativity.

Annette Roth

Community Development Manager

360.252.9982

Annette joined ArtsWA in October 2017 as the Creative Districts Program Manager. She develops and implements this statewide program, which works to prepare communities for state certification. She is the former Marketing and Communications Director for the Thurston Economic Development Council. She previously co-founded a boutique marketing and design firm in Tacoma. Annette holds an adjunct faculty position at South Puget Sound Community College, teaching graphic design. Annette studied English at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Thurston County.

Alexis Sarah

Alexis Sarah

Project Manager
Arts in Education

360.228.6359

Alexis joined ArtsWA in December 2019 as the Arts and Early Learning Project Manager. Since 2003, she has focused on shaping and supporting education programs that connect young learners with the arts. Through her work with Mariah Collaborative Art School, the co-founding of the Encore Arts Memorial Foundation, and most recently with Olympia Family Theater, she brings expertise and energy around arts administration and early learning. Alexis holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College.

Claire Schechtman portrait

Claire Schechtman

Project Manager
Art in Public Places

360.485.1509

Claire manages Art in Public Places projects in public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. Prior to joining ArtsWA, she managed public art projects with the Oregon Arts Commission and City of Eugene Cultural Services. She has a passion for creative placekeeping, cultural planning, and public space equity. Claire holds a Master’s in Community and Regional Planning with a Certificate in Arts Management from the University of Oregon.

Deane Shellman

Deputy Director

360.252.9985

In 2000, Deane assisted with the Governor’s Arts and Heritage Awards while working at the State Theater in Olympia. That experience ignited her goal to work at ArtsWA and be a part of a dynamic staff, doing amazing work. She joined the staff two years later and served as Program Coordinator for the Art in Public Places Program for 18 years before moving into the Deputy Director position. Deane holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Western Washington University. Before coming to ArtsWA, she worked locally as a stage and production manager, as well as in marketing and operations for two local theaters. She continues to volunteer in the arts community and has served on the boards of Olympia Family Theater, NW Playwrights Alliance, and the Evergreen Playhouse.

Lisa Siewert

Program Specialist
Grants to Organizations

360.252.9980

Lisa Siewert joined ArtsWA in 2024 as the Program Specialist for Grants to Organizations. With an extensive background in community-based arts, she supports ArtsWA’s funding across the state, with a focus on equity and access. Lisa is inspired by the arts’ ability to provide connection and meaning in all our lives. Lisa holds an MA in Critical Theory and Creative Research from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, graduate coursework in ethics and technology from Erasmus University (The Netherlands), and a BA in Philosophy (U of MN). As a practicing visual artist and educator, Lisa brings a hands-on perspective to her work in the arts, strengthening program development and community engagement in Washington.

Gabriella Smith

Gabriella Smith

Administrative Assistant
Wellness, Arts, and the Military

360.485.1277

Gabriella Smith joined the Arts Commission in October 2023 as the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Administrative Assistant. With a strong passion for the arts, coupled with a military upbringing, Gabriella brings a deep appreciation for veterans and military-connected individuals. She is a dedicated administrative professional with experience in government agencies and non-profits, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Music Business with Summa Cum Laude honors, and currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Industry.

Michael Sweney

Program Manager
Art in Public Places

360.228.4080

Mike leads ArtsWA’s public art team and manages public art acquisitions statewide. Previously, he had a 19-year career in galleries, including director of Davidson Contemporary in Seattle and the Charles Cowles Gallery in New York. Mike is past board vice president at Seattle’s Center on Contemporary Art and past chair of the Tacoma Arts Commission. He serves on the Tacoma Art Museum’s Collection Committee and the Advisory Council for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU. He holds a BA degree in Art History and Studio Art from Oberlin College.

Michael Wallenfels

Communications Manager

360.252.9831

Michael has worked in the Washington arts since 2007, with roles in event management, marketing and communications. Born and raised in Eastern Washington, Michael holds a deep appreciation for the diversity and history of the arts across Washington state. He has a B.A. in Design Studies and a MLIS, both from the University of Washington, and is a practicing musician and visual artist.

Cheryl Wilcox

Program Manager
Tribal Cultural Affairs

360.485.1278

Cheryl joined ArtsWA in October 2023 as the Tribal Cultural Affairs Program Manager. She is working statewide to enhance Tribal Arts and Culture in and for Tribal Communities. She has more than 15 years of experience collaborating with Tribes on multiple projects. She is passionate about supporting Tribes and the development of programs that are respectful and honor cultural values, traditions, and history. Cheryl is an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and is active in her own culture, traditions, ceremonies, and honoring ancestral knowledge.