BRANSON ARTS COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dawn Cleveringa was born and raised in Florida. Her mother loved the arts and taught Dawn at an early age the benefits of being involved in the arts. She took Tap and Ballet as a child, and once in school, quickly became involved in the band and chorus. She and her husband moved to Missouri in 1979 to start a family. They have since become season subscribers and supporters of the Hammonds Hall for Performing Arts. Dawn currently works full time at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre as the bookkeeper. Since the house is empty, it was time to get involved in the community and Dawn decided the Branson Arts Council seemed like the perfect place to begin.

Robert Cohn is a former merchant, 2 years president of Newton, Iowa community Theatre, Rotary president, Jaycee President, Toast Master Club President, as well as a former Trust officer. He has also been the CFO of the Branson Arts Council as well as a former president of the Branson Arts Council. He presently serves on the Planning and Zoning Committee for the city of Branson.

Bonnie Herrmann. A retired professor with the University of Wisconsin, Bonnie has extensive experience in the world of non-profit, having been the Director of the Non-Profit Institute for the University. She served on the BAC Board of Directors for two years before becoming the Executive Director. She has also been involved with the Wilderness Road Festival in Kimberling City and other community activities that support the appreciation of art and culture.

Richard Hibben is a wire artist. He has exhibited wire-art jewelry in Art & Craft shows, in malls & convention centers, and in most mid-west states over many years. He currently exhibits in Branson and Forsyth, Missouri. His specialties are "Names in Gold pins", fancy rings as well as bracelets for men & women.

Beverly Howard is a former educator from Oklahoma City. There she taught in the classroom and then in museum education where she created a Young Artists Gallery and many programs. She currently substitutes for the Branson High School. She has also been a retail manager as well as a floral designer.

Ladona Johnson is a recent graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. She is currently an associate producer with the vacation channel and a reporter for Hometown Radio.

Lana Johnson-Nichols is the owner of Touch of Class, a formal/bridal shop in Branson. Lana spent several years in Branson as a performer and is married to Bob Nichols, host of the Showboat Branson Belle. They have one daughter, 14 year old Chesca.

Barb Nygard moved to Branson 14 years ago from Minnesota. Subsequently she opened Silver Hills Jewelry and Collectibles in the Engler Block. She recently opened a second store location in Downtown Branson. A pursuit of excellence in Native American art for the Engler Block store and for her personal enjoyment, led naturally to an involvement with the Branson Arts council.

Jim Rodgers, a native of Kentucky, is a veteran, a minister, and an artist. He is a member of the Branson Arts Council, the Table Rock Art Guild and has recently been involved in helping the Downtown Branson Main Street Association in planning murals for the buildings facing the new River Market in the downtown Branson area. He has exhibited his work at various galleries including the Olathe Arts Gallery, Hidden Glen Art Festival, the Kimberling City Art Show, and the Foster Museum at the College of the Ozarks.

Stormy Snow has lived in Branson for 12 years, having moved to Branson from the West Coast. Since arriving she has been active on various community committees and served on the boards of the Tri-Lakes Boys and Girls Club and Branson Veterans Task Force. Currently she serves on the Women Veterans Organization executive committee. Stormy has one son, a medic in the United States Army. He is currently on his second tour of duty in Iraq. Most recently she has founded the National Center for Presidential Studies, a non-profit educational organization with a mission to share American History. We operate America's Presidency, a museum and gallery of American presidents and American history.

Stormy is a strong supporter of the arts, especially in bringing art programs to children. She says she is honored to serve on the Branson Arts Council Board of Directors and hopes that the National Center for Presidential Studies can also support the arts through similar programs sponsored at the White House.

Marguerite Steffen always has time for the BAC. She volunteers at Skaggs Hospital, the Chamber and many other community projects. Marguerite and her husband Larry are very visible in the community and participate in most all the events and activities.

Jon Thompson, native of southern Arkansas, has responded to the creative impulse from the beginning. After graduating from high school he went on to study art receiving a BA from Hendrix College and then a Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from the University of Iowa. After Teaching in the Texas A&M system for 13 years he moved to the Ozarks and produced woodcarvings, selling them at Mountain Woodcarvers, Silver Dollar City, and Engler's Block. Recently he has returned to painting and drawing finding success there as well. His new works can be found at the Table Rock Art Guild Gallery in Kimberling City, Missouri and routinely are exhibited through the Springfield Visual Art Alliance at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, and other venues in Springfield, MO.

Loann Bartar was born and raised in New Jersey.  Following a nursing career, she has since pursued a 25-year career as a Realtor.  She owned her own agency in Maine.  Barter & Associates was a successful real estate agency in Damariscotta, Maine for 9 years.  Her move to California allowed her to pursue this career in a slightly warmer climate, where she was once again among the top producers in Santa Barbara.  When the unchanging climate became boring, she moved to her present home in Reeds Spring, bringing with her an extensive collection of art work accumulated over the years from both coasts and now in-between.  Her love of fine art continues, and the walls of both her home and office at Carol Jones Realtors are covered with paintings by her favorite artists.

Jennifer Burrell currently serves as Operations Manager for the World's Largest Titanic Museum Attraction, located in Branson Missouri. Jennifer brings many years of Property Management experience to the Titanic Museum.  Originally from the Branson/Hollister area, Jennifer worked in the Property Management field throughout the upper mid-west for many years before returning in 2006. Jennifer enjoys the arts and is looking forward to participating in the many Arts Council Activities.

Arlene Schaefer has served as President in the Taneyhills Library Club, also SEC,
Fundraising chairman, Membership chairman, volunteer in the library thrift shop,
and in the library.  A member of the P.E.O. Chapter IB and has served
Treasurey, Secretary. and President.  Arlene moved to Branson in 1971.  Married to the retired mayor  of Branson . Through  the marriage of 14 years my husband and I have joined two families together and we have 4 children , 5 Grandchildren and 3 Great
Grandchildren.  Past director for six years to the Branson Arts Council, and
re-elected  for another 2 year term.  Member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Branson

 

Jack Walker