BOARD MEMBERS

President -   Sheila Lamberson 

Sheila Lamberson has a BFA in Painting/Minor in Drawing from SIU-Carbondale. She also worked toward her MFA in Painting at the University of Wyoming. Sheila maintains a studio in her home and works as an IT Manager at State Farm by day.

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.

Deana Moore Schoolcraft

Dan Galvin

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 in Heartland Community College 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 

Jared Lacy was an art instructor for the Galesburg School System for 38 years; retiring in 2011.  He relocated to Bloomington two years ago.  He is a painter whose works have been shown in regional, state, and national exhibitions

 Cindy Lawson-Kester

Dr. Cindy Lawson (Lawson-Kester) retired from Illinois State University Department as the Assistant Chair of Special Education 2009 after a thirty year career in special education. Creating art came to her by “chance” and through helping relationships and she began studying art in 2012. Multiple teachers, mentors, and workshops have brought her to today, an almost daily painter primarily in oils, frequently in plein air. In 2013 she was an original founder of Inside Out: Accessible Art, an artist cooperative in Bloomington, Illinois where she both exhibited her work and taught.  Her art is currently available at Main Gallery 404 and in North Port Art Center and Venice Art Center in Florida. She is a regular exhibitor at the Community Cancer Center and other local establishments. Cindy is a member of the McLean County Art Center board, Oil Painters of America, and is active is local art organizations in Bloomington/Normal Illinois and in the Sarasota/Venice Florida area.

Craig Queen - Craig is an attorney in private practice (Queen Law, LLC) in Bloomington. He lives in Normal and has three nearly grown kids, Jack, Emily and Tommy. In his spare time he enjoys running, weight training, cooking, and reading. He is enjoying spending time with my Aussie Labrador, Claire.

Diane Skidmore-

Family Data: 

Spouse: Ron Skidmore furniture maker/woodworker 

Children: Lindsey Moss - elementary art teacher/2 granddaughters Linden & Ellison

Evan Skidmore - photographer, IT

 

Educational Background :

University of Arizona - studio art 2 years - 1972 - 1974

BS in Education from Illinois State University (K-12 certificate) 1977

MS in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University 1998

 

Recent Work History:

Personal Assistant to the Venerable Bhante Sujatha - The Loving-Kindness Monk 2020+

The Garlic Press 1994 to 1996 and 2015+

Illinois State University - Academic Advisor College of Business 2001 to 2018 (retired)  

 

Hobbies/Interests:

Mixed Media Fiber/Quilt Artist

Travel & Camping - foreign and domestic 

Gardening

Granddaughter time

Cooking interesting foods

Reading

Dave Templeton- As virtually a lifetime member of the Bloomington-Normal community, I feel the need to give back to the community that’s been so good to me. I was a member of several community organizations during my working years. Now that I’m retired I have even more time to devote to activities. As an artist and designer, I feel that the McLean County Arts Center fills the bill for my time and efforts. It’s truly a treasure for our cities.

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.