Board of Directors

Village Art in the Park has a volunteer Board of Directors who work behind the scenes. They have many duties, but their main task is to ensure that the seasonal art show in downtown Leavenworth is successful, both for the benefit of the artists represented but also such that adequate funds are generated to support the Scholarship and Enriched Art Education programs that Village Art in the Park maintains.

The Board is made up of between 7 and 9 Members who serve three-year terms, renewable by a majority vote of the Board at the annual meeting. Officers serve one-year terms which are renewable annually.

Monthly meetings are held year-round on the second Monday of each month.

If you have any questions about the Village Art in the Park Board of Directors or would be interested in joining, please contact us!

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Laura Hansen

President

I have been a resident of Leavenworth since 1982. I co-founded the Leavenworth Brewery with my husband Scott in 1992, helped it grow and then merge with Fish Brewery in Olympia in 1999. I was on the Chamber of Commerce Board for nearly ten years (1983 to 1992) and President for two years. During that time we developed and implemented most of the events, funding sources, and advertising that have helped make our village a year round visitor destination. I did the display and design work at Kris Kringl, the year round Christmas store here in Leavenworth, for nearly 25 years. That was a physically and mentally challenging job, in the best possible sense, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In 2016 I was invited to join the Board of Village Art in the Park. I was very familiar with the goals and mission of the organization, but as with any new endeavor, I have come to learn just how much work goes into making it successful. 2020 was my first year as Board President. All of us are extremely proud of the artists who return each year and who have the opportunity to sell their works in exchange for the commission that funds local school art programs and yearly college scholarships.

Adele Caemmerer

Vice President

I first came to the Leavenworth area back in 1987 to attend art classes and volunteer at the Grunewald Guild, an artist retreat center in Plain, 30 minutes from Leavenworth. I met my husband Mike there and now, after years of living and teaching overseas in international schools, we call this area home. I have always appreciated the natural beauty of the Wenatchee Valley and the bustling, sparkly energy of Leavenworth. I recently retired from teaching in the Wenatchee School District and am honored to serve the community and support the arts as a board member of Village Art in the Park.

Being a working artist as well as art teacher, what excites me about this organization is the way it engages at every level of the cultivation of art and artists: from supporting school art programs, to providing art scholarships to students, to providing a thriving space for artists to share their work, and finally to creating opportunities for locals and visitors to tap into their own artistic sides through the seasonal art market, which in turn supports all the other aspects. I enjoy participating in this meaningful community endeavor!

Teddy Rieke

Secretary

Together with my husband, Kevin, we own and operate three Leavenworth businesses, The Wood Shop, Hat Shop and Wurlygigz. I am honored to volunteer on the Village Art in the Park Board and have proudly served since 2008. I appreciate the opportunity to work with each of the dedicated Board Members and support all of the talented artists.

Village Art in the Park is a storied community treasure. Together we have created an Enriched Education Program that is awarded annually to a local school. It is designed to facilitate and enhance art education in our local school art programs. This $2500 grant is given to allow local art teachers to fund art projects for their students that would otherwise not be possible. This is just one of the positive programs we support as Village Art in the Park and is absolutely my favorite.

Jamie Howell

Treasurer

Jamie Howell founded Howell at the Moon Productions in 1999, and has been producing documentaries and creative commercial content ever since. He is responsible (or to blame, depending on your perspective) for creating Woody Goomsba, the cheeky nutcracker who has been serving as Leavenworth's mascot since 2011. He has also produced, written and directed numerous documentaries featuring regional subjects and often centered around themes of sustainability.

Jamie joined the Village Art in the Park Board of Directors in 2018. He also serves as a founding board member for the NCW Arts Alliance, another non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the Arts throughout our region.

Deborah Hartl

Board Member

I am pleased to be entering my second term on this board and hope the work we are doing is having a positive impact on the artists and arts in our community. We are striving to enhance the availability and opportunities for artists both young and old to learn and improve on their creativity,  as well as to be able to make a good living selling their work. Village Art In The Park is a truly unique show and I am honored to play a part in keeping it going.

Heidi Swoboda

Board Member

I am pleased to be entering my second term on this board and hope the work we are doing is having a positive impact on the artists and arts in our community. We are striving to enhance the availability and opportunities for artists both young and old to learn and improve on their creativity,  as well as to be able to make a good living selling their work.

Village Art In The Park is a truly unique show and I am honored to play a part in keeping it going.

Ann Vey

Board Member

After visiting Leavenworth for many years, my husband David and I decided to make it our permanent home in 2019. I retired from my 25 years in a corporate Sales and Marketing position in Senior housing to focus on becoming a part of the Leavenworth community.

I jumped in with both feet and truly enjoyed the journey, getting involved with Tierra Learning Center, The Dwelling Place, and Upper Valley Connections. Additionally, for the last 20 years, I have held an officer position with “The Ludlow Foundation” - our family foundation that focuses on the basic needs of people facing challenges. In 2022, I took a position as a cashier at Village Art in the Park where I had the pleasure of meeting talented and dedicated artists. The experience was so rewarding that when asked to join the board in 2024 I was happy to oblige.

I have been delighted to witness all the positive impacts that Village Art in the Park brings to the greater community!