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Board of Directors

Betty Saidel

President of the Board, Insurance Consultant and Business Owner

Betty retired from two distinctly different, yet successful, careers. The first as owner of a business insurance agency at which she was the Key Agency for one of her carriers.

Jeff Geldermann

Chairman of the Board, Data Technology and Firm Owner

Jeff co-founded Credentials Solutions in Northfield, Illinois, in 1997 and is currently President and Chief Technology Officer.

Sean Webb

Vice Chairman of the Board, Desert Sands Unified School District Foundation Executive Director and District Experience

Sean holds a master’s degree and has worked in education his entire time in the Coachella Valley; as a teacher, assistant principal, and now as Director of Community Engagement and Education Foundation for Desert Sands Unified School District.

Richard Grund

Board Secretary, National Industry Leader and Construction Industry Owner

For over 30 years, Richard served in all management positions, retiring in 1998 as Chairman and CEO of the Quixote Corporation, a holding company for three other firms.

Victory Grund

Founder, National and Local Youth Leadership

After the loss of her parents, Victory discovered the therapeutic and healing power of “hands-on” art. Witnessing budget cuts in the arts, she and her husband founded Old Town Artisan Studios to provide a place for the arts to always be available for all ages and abilities.

Fran Davidson

Family Enterprise Owner and Philanthropist

Fran joined the OTAS Board in late Spring of 2015. She and her husband, Bob, call Seattle their primary home and spend five months of the season here at their home in La Quinta.

Millie Pearson

Development Techniques and Business Owner

Growing up in a family of artists, Millie has been drawing and painting since childhood, selling her first painting at age 13 and commissioned at age 14 to do her first public piece: a hand painted 14’x 48’ billboard in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

Matt Johnson

Commercial Real Estate, Property Management and Business Owner

Matt is the President of Johnson Commercial Real Estate, Inc. in Rancho Mirage. Mr. Johnson specializes in the sale, leasing and development of new and existing facilities for growing companies here in the Coachella Valley.

David Turner

Land Surveyor, Real Estate, Farmer

David is President of Coachella Valley Engineers (CVE), a local Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Company. He is also the President of companies concentrated in the Real Estate, Farming, and Cattle industries.

Marc Glassman

Professional Photographer and Business Owner

Marc moved to the Desert in 1979 to work for the Desert Sun and in 1980, was hired by Palm Springs Life magazine as a staff photographer. In 1982, he founded Marc Glassman Photography.

Leslie Locken

Real Estate Manager

Leslie Locken is the Real Estate Lease Manager for Lamar Outdoor Advertising and is responsible for negotiating new real estate leases for billboard structures as a revenue stream for landowners.

Advisory Board

Andrea Carter

Erin Eslinger

John Conley

Kim Hetherington

Mary Lou Green

Nicole Trigg

Robert Ault

Bill MacMillan

Esther Bertram

Kate Spates

Leslie Flores

Melita Martin Radtke

Patrick Evans

Sarah Schmolke

Brooke Beare

Gayl Biondi

Kathleen Fitzpatrick

Lisa Banks

Michele McDonough

Paulina Larson

Victory Grund

Diane Gall

Jean Kirby

Kenn Ulrich

Marge Dodge

Nan Tomasko

Renee Woodward

Mission & Vision

We are dedicated to ensuring that art remains a vibrant part of the creative fabric of the Coachella Valley – from art in schools to lifelong learning.

Outreach

The individuals we touch through art include families in need, kids in after-school programs, individuals with special needs, seniors and veterans.

Why We Serve

Art is both medicine and food for the soul. Our commitment is to making art available and accessible to all members of our community.

Board of Directors

Meet our dedicated board members that bring Old Town Artisan Studios and its mission to our beloved community.

Classes

Our 4-week classes allow students of all ages and levels to dive into the areas of Ceramics, Painting, Fused Glass, and more.

Workshops

Try a one-day workshop to learn a new skill, test out a medium you are curious about, or simply have a good time!

PYOP

Paint Your Own Pottery is a fun experience for all!  Choose from several ceramic items and paint to your heart's delight.

 Art Camp

Looking for a fun way to beat the heat? Join us for Summer Art Camp! A week-long camp for young artists, ages 7-15.

All Upcoming Events at Old Town Artisan Studios.

All Upcoming Events

A listing of all free and fee-based happenings at OTAS!

Gingerbread Lane at Old Town Artisan Studios

Gingerbread Lane

A fantastic community event for all to take part in holiday fun!

Color the World Gala 2023.

Color the World Gala

Join us for a spectacular evening of music, festivity & celebration

Miniature Masterpieces 2021

Mini Masterpiece

Art all 10x10x10 in. or smaller featured in our annual raffle.

Art of Music at Old Town Artisan Studios.

Art of Music

A monthly series featuring musicians from near and far.

Eggstravaganza at Old Town Artisan Studiosl.

Eggstravaganza

An annual auction highlighting ceramic eggs by various artists.

Upcoming Events at Old Town Artisan Studios

Open Mic Night

A chance for all levels and ages to perform.

Upcoming Events at Old Town Artisan Studios

Gallery Shows

Visit the Leland Gallery featuring local artists.

Donate

With your valued support we are able bring art to our friends who need it most.

Support

We need Ambassadors to help us spread the word about our work and mission.

Volunteer

Your time and skills are an incredibly important part of the work we do.  Come lend a hand!

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