BOARD MEMBERS


Dana Altenburger, Candice Byrd, Bruce Cather, Margaret Cordill, David Dow,  Allyson Frink, Su Ge, Tamara Harvell, Susan Holifield, Jared Lacy, Deana Moore Schoolcraft, Archana Shekara, Diane Skidmore, Dave Templeton,Taylor Williams

President - Diane Skidmore       

 

Diane Skidmore (AKA Didi) Skidmore is a believer that art is essential to our wellbeing – whether we are makers or viewers. She moved to Bloomington in 1975 to be with Ron Skidmore – woodworking artisan and all-around good guy. Almost 50 years later, they live in rural Bloomington in a home they designed and built together for their family. Now retired after 20+ years as an academic advisor at ISU – she finds ways to explore her love for color and texture with foreign travel, cooking, gardening and especially artmaking with fiber and threads.

Vice President -  Bruce Cather

Bruce Cather is a retired Distinguished Engineer from IBM Corporation. For 38 years, his focus has been to bring together advanced technology, architecture, and design in building Information Technology solutions for his clients. Having spent several years in consulting and learning consulting methods, Bruce has most recently has been trained in Design Thinking method which puts the user of technology at the focus and blends both art and technology together through design process. A decade member of the Bloomington Rotary, Bruce also serves on its board of directors. Bruce is on the Curriculum Advisory Board at Illinois State University for the Business and Information Systems Department. Bruce also advises and mentors computer science majors at Illinois Wesleyan University. Bruce is an avid amateur photographer. Bruce’s wife, Pamela, is a Master Certified professional photographer and wildlife photographer and will be doing an exhibition at the McLean County Arts Center in February of next year. Bruce is a frequent visitor to the Arts Center, participates in the Downtown First Friday events, and enjoys the many works and talented artists of McLean County.


Bruce is the Chairperson of  the Fund Raising Committee

Secretary - Dave Templeton

       

Dave Templeton has been a lifetime member of the Bloomington-Normal community and feels the need to give back to the community that’s been so good to him. He has a Bachelors degree in art education and Masters degree in painting from Illinois State University and was active in campus-wide activities. He was a member of several community organizations during his working years. Now that he's retired he has even more time to devote to community activities. As an artist and designer, he feels that the McLean County Arts Center fills the bill for his time and efforts. Besides being on the MCAC Board of Directors, he teaches drawing at the Arts Center. The McLean County Arts Center is truly a treasure for McLean County.

At-Large and Temporary Treasurer -  Dana Altenburger

Dana Altenburger moved to Bloomington in 2011 to join the medical staff at BroMenn Medical Center. Dana is on the board at Wish bone, a rescue and adoption for dogs organization. Dana’s husband, Santino Lamancusa, owns The Hangar Art Company in downtown Bloomington. Her favorite leisure activity is reading books with her rescue dogs. 

Dana is the Chairperson of the Exhibition Committee and Finance


Board Member- Su Ge


Su Ge studied art in the art school in Shanghai, China in 1970's.  She specializes in traditional Chinese brush painting with emphasis on landscapes and nature and has had her paintings exhibited multiple occasions at the local art center.  In 2018, Su's landscapes work were also exhibited in Shanghai, China.  Su has been teaching Chinese brush painting and calligraphy at Heartland Community College for the last two years.  Su hopes more people get to see the Chinese art with its rich culture.  Su Ge's website:  http://www.tranquilityofnature.com

Board member-Jared Lacy

Jared Lacy graduated from E.I.U. majoring in Studio Art/Art Education and furthered his art studies at I.S.U. He was an art instructor for 38 years and taught at all levels; K-12; as well as a few college classes.  Jared is retired and serves on the MCAC Board of Directors.  He is a vocalist and plays guitar and still continues to paint occasionally. He and his wife, Linda enjoy the many cultural opportunities of the B-N Area.  They have two sons and families including six grandchildren. 

Board Member-David Dow


David Dow  Artist and entrepreneur David Dow is a social advocate and currently works extensively with small and large nonprofit organizations throughout the United States helping them to reduce costs and optimize expenses to create increased revenue for mission critical programs and services.

He spent twenty-five years in product design and development for top global brands with multicategory expertise and experience in soft and hard goods including apparel, leather goods, home textiles, home accessories, furniture, toys, and electronics. Additionally, he has multi-channel expertise and experience including brick-and-mortar retail, print and online catalog and eCommerce.

David has a well-earned reputation for delivering outstanding service to his clients with exceptional management, communication, negotiating, and consensus-building skills – and for delivering results.

David is the Chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee

Board member- Allyson Frink


Allyson Frink is a former 40yr GROWMARK  IT employee. She lives with her husband, Jim Pinder, in rural Cooksville. Allyson has been taking classes at MCAC since 2014, concentrating on pastels & painting. Taking multiple classes & volunteering at the Center led to her working on the Education & Events Committees, then being asked to join the Board. She says working on the annual luncheon has been especially rewarding and she loves being a part of the local art community.

Allyson is the chairperson of the Education and Outreach Committee

Board Member-Candice Byrd

Candice Byrd is Director of Labyrinth Made Goods at YWCA Mclean for 3+ Years and a new Board member at MCAC. Born and raised in Bloomington, Candice has dedicated and volunteered her time to fostering relationships with many individuals in our community and across the nation. 

She is a Leader and one of the founders of our local Black Lives Matter Blono, a member of our local Illinois Peoples’ Action and an advocate for Women who have experienced Incarceration. She received an award from ExtraOrdinary Women in 2022 for her transformative journey into her current career.

Candice's true strength lies in her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. She firmly believes that art has the power to transcend boundaries and bridge gaps within communities. Through her innovative programs at YWCA, she brings together artists, enthusiasts, and community members, creating spaces where everyone can explore, appreciate, and engage with the arts.

Board Member-Tamara Harvell


Tamara Harvell is special events professional from the Bloomington/Normal area who recently retired from multi-billion dollar, FORTUNE 39 company State Farm after over 30 years of corporate experience. During her accomplished career, she produced events and meetings for 17 years, reaching both corporate and community customers. Additionally, Tamara managed multiple multi-million dollar national and local marketing event sponsorships for over 16 years, navigating all aspects of the activations.

 In retirement, she decided to take her skills and knowledge to the next level by launching TLH Events Management and Production business.

 As a certified planner, she holds a BA from Monmouth College and MA from

U of I – Springfield. Tamara enjoys being a member of the Bloomington/Normal Pub Club Rotary where she can give back to the local charities in the community. A native of Chicago, she is a sneaker fanatic, accomplished fisherwoman and a huge sport fan.

Tamara is co-chair of the Events Committee

Board Member-Deana Schoolcraft

Deana Moore Schoolcraft is a recently retired registered nurse, and spent most of that career in home care and hospice in this community.  She is married to Randy and has 3 children, 2 step-children, 9 grandchildren and 2 bonus grandbabies.  Deana studied classical piano and taught piano for many years.  More recently she is pursuing her interest in oil painting and is part of the teaching staff at MCAC.  She has exhibited at MCAC and currently shows her work at Main Gallery 404 in Bloomington as well as on her website at DeanaMooreSchoolcraft.com.  This is her fourth year sitting on the MCAC board. 

Board member-Susan Holifield

Susan Holifield's career led her to be a long term care administrator for over 30 years for Heritage Health in Colfax and Bloomington, IL.  Susan recently retired bringing many transferable skills to MCAC including managing a 5 million dollar remodel, human resource policies and procedures, budget management, regulations compliance, supervising 125 employees, contract approvals, organizational skills, project management and managing Covid while still providing quality care to our clients.

Susan has been taking painting, drawing and Jewelry making classes for over 10 years.  Her painting classes have led her to develop her own website which you can view at susanholifield.com.  She enjoys baking and gardening.  Susan has lived in the Bloomington/Normal community since 1973.  She was originally from the Chicago Area.  Susan has been married over 50 years and has 2 grown children.

Susan has been a supporter of MCAC for many years and feels her board membership is a way he can continue to serve.

Susan is co-chair of the Events Committee

Board member-Taylor Williams

Taylor Williams is an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Civil Division of the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office. Taylor earned her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University where her major was Political Science and her minor was Greek and Roman Studies. In addition to her work on the MCAC Board, Taylor is an active member of the McLean County Bar Association and the Council for IWU Women. Taylor enjoys taking MCAC classes and baking classes in her free time.

Taylor is the chairperson of the Membership Committee


Board Member-Margaret Cordill

              

                Margaret Cordill fills her life with a tapestry of color, texture, and light. Her love of art is a palette that 

                infuses her  world with creativity and inspiration. She firmly believes that art is not a luxury but a
               necessity, advocating for everyone to have access to its transformative power.
               Her life includes an amazing husband, two fantastic daughters who bring immeasurable joy
               and a charming Yorkie companion. In 1994, Margaret traded the Kansas plains for the
               landscapes of Bloomington, where she has worn many hats - from a dedicated stay-at-home
               mom to a nurturing preschool teacher and a caterer.
               Beyond her roles, Margaret possesses a great desire to give back. She has served on
              numerous boards and enjoys participating in many other volunteer opportunities. She finds
              beauty in the details, whether it’s collecting art, capturing moments through photography, or
              exploring nature’s wonders on hikes.
             Margaret enjoys cooking, is a perpetual learner, and a has a chronic case of wanderlust.
             She looks forward to all that awaits her in her second term on the board at the McLean County
             Arts Center

   Board Member- Archana Shekara


Archana Shekara is an Indian American designer, artist, researcher and educator. She is a Professor of Graphic Design, Co-director of Ethnic Studies, and Creative Director of Design Streak Studio, a research based social innovation lab at Illinois State UniversityShe uses design as a tool to build cross-cultural understanding, acceptance, and respect. As a socio-cultural researcher, she investigates transnational identity and racial equity through a brown cultural lens and creates critical awareness using ethnographic narratives. Shekara’s design research interests, and scholarship in pedagogy includes cultural identity, design for belonging, social justice, and community engagement. Her medium for creative expression takes on various forms such as type design, curating immersive participatory experiences, interactive installations using mixed and various emerging digital media which evoke multi-sensory responses. She is the founder and chair of South Asian Design Educators Alliance (SADEA) which aims to promote, advance and share South Asian design histories, pedagogies, and perspectives globally.  

 





 




Mission Statement: We encourage and promote the appreciation, study, cultivation, development, and practice of art for the benefit of all the people, cultures and communities of McLean County. 


    
        "This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts"

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