KAA President and Statesman – Karen Saleen
Karen Saleen is a retired educator and colored pencil artist. In her spare time she works at her art, takes classes in colored pencil, and mentors high school students interested in developing their colored pencil skills. Occasionally, she teaches classes in colored pencil drawing, hosts in the KAA Gallery, and shows her artwork. She is currently the Vice President in the Oregon Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America and sits on the Board of the Keizer Art Association.
Past President and Grant Writer – Lore Christopher
Lore Christopher is responsible for public outreach and funding. She is currently our Facebook and Grants Administrator. Lore has been a supporter of the creative community her entire adult life. She is also the Chair of the City of Keizer Public Art Commission who works closely with Keizer Art Association on public arts projects. The latest one is the “Valley Treasures” Mural located on Chemawa Rd at the Keizer Florist building. Lore is the former Mayor of Keizer, Or. Her educational background includes a BA in Human Resource Management from George Fox University and a MPA from Portland State University.
Secretary and Education Chair – Carol Harris
Carol Harris has been KAA Secretary and Education Council Chair since 2005 and is responsible for hiring instructors to teach classes and developing the art program. She takes classes and teaches Colored Pencil at KAA. Carol was born in Baker, Oregon, went to OSU and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Art, a Master’s Degree in Education at WOU, and then settled in Salem to teach elementary school for 31 years. During 40 years of marriage to Keith, they skied in the winter and sailed in the summer. She lives in the country west of Salem and grows hay for horses, and is a 4-H Horse Leader and Polk Country 4-H Horse Superintendent. Interests are family, art, traveling, gardening, horses, dogs, volunteering, and best of all — playing with grandkids Ben (7) and Addilyn (5).
Vice President – Michelle Myers
Michelle is a very experienced watercolor artist and instructor. She serves as the Riverwalk Art Fair Chairperson. The Riverwalk Art Fair has become well known and attended under Michelle’s leadership with the help of many volunteers.
Treasurer, Gallery K Gift Shop, Members’ Wall, and Office Manager – Julie Thoreson
Julie is a native of California who came to Oregon to marry her now husband of 37 years. She has no formal art training, just a love of art ingrained in her by her creative and talented parents. “Being on the board of directors of Keizer Art Association is an honor and privilege I take seriously. The promotion of art in the community is an important part of what KAA does by teaching different form of art and providing a venue for artists to display their creations.” As a member of KAA, Julie looks forward to many more years of involvement in the art world.
Librarian – Vicky Vickery
Vicky Vickery moved to Oregon about forty years ago. She grew up in southern California, graduating from Pasadena City College with an Associate Degree in Art, and from Cal State Fullerton with a B.A. in Art History. She worked as a school librarian in Mt. Angel. Upon retirement, she got back into art through the classes at Keizer Art Association. “It is great to get back into art myself, but also to help promote the arts in the community through the KAA.”
Member-at-Large – Yita Harris
Yita Harris was born in Santiago, Chile. She came to the USA as an exchange student to California fifty years ago. Graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA and University of Portland where she earned her Masters in Bilingual education. She worked as a bilingual school teacher in the Canby School District. Upon retirement, she moved to Salem with her husband, Roger. She is the mother of Steve, Katherine, and Cristina and a grandmother of six. In the Salem area she found a wonderful group of artists at the Keizer Art Association by taking colored pencil classes. “It was love at first sight”. “I am honored to be part of such a special group and looking forward to grow and learn from them”.
Membership and KEIZERtimes – Cheryl Manhire
Cheryl Mohr Manhire first came to the Keizer Art Association when she began taking colored pencil classes many years ago. She has been a board member serving as membership and newsletter chair. She retired in 2004 after spending 25 years working as a counselor/administrator in the addiction treatment field. She lives with her husband, Dick, in a condo in south Salem. They have two children, Cara and Marshall, and four grandchildren.
Member-at-Large – Karen Aiello
Member-at-Large – Don Ely
Don is a very experienced oil painter primarily focused on landscapes. His paintings capture the Pacific Northwest in a very realistic manner. Don regularly holds classes where he teaches oil painting using newer, non-toxic media.