I’m a creative goof who loves to play and geek out over anything artsy. I’ve worn many hats: executive director, waste reduction coordinator, marketer, stay-at-home mom, zinester, graphic designer, artist, activist, and radio oddball. Currently, I am the owner of Art Department, an art supply store in downtown Salem.
I’m the happiest being curious and creating. I enjoy creating projects of different scales, values, media, and subjects. The one unifying characteristic of my work is artful play. I enjoy the push and pull of art, the story, and always the surprise! Some projects I’ve worked on include: Repair Fair & Share, Free Art Friday, Community Swaps, Salem Puppet Parade, Trashion, Community Supported Arts&Culture, and Salem Sketchers.
I also enjoy curating art shows in the Concrete Gallery at the Art Department and showcasing local talent.
Background: My passion for art drew me to the University of Oregon where I graduated with a Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on Visual Design. After that, I worked as a marketing coordinator at the University of Oregon. In 2009 I started teaching free community craft nights and in 2010 I opened DIY Studio from my home studio. In 2012 DIY Studio morphed into a non-profit creative reuse center in Salem, Oregon. In April of 2014 DIY Studio closed its doors and I moved on to work full-time to promote waste reduction through media. In October of 2020, I was lucky enough to purchase the Art Department and continue my passion for the arts through education, art-making, and service.