Columbia Center for the Arts consists of many individuals working to increase access to the arts and provide unique educational opportunities. Board of Directors, Staff Members, and Committee Members, and outstanding CCA volunteers play a key role in helping CCA thrive.
Board of Directors
Judie Hanel, Board Chair
Anna Cavalieri, Co-Chair
Ashley Huckaby May, Secretary
Tim Mayer, Treasurer
Ron Cohen
Genevieve Scholl
Amirra Malak
Staff Members
Yasmin Arlette Acosta-Myers
Interim Executive Director
director@columbiaarts.org
541-387-8877 ext. 3
Yasmin Arlette Acosta-Myers comes to Columbia Center for the Arts with an M.S. in Arts Administration, extensive time on local education and cultural boards–including Arts in Education, Big ART Project, Hood River Cultural Trust– and a license in Neurology of Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace.
Born and raised in Tecate, Mexico, just across the US/Mexico border, Acosta-Myers moved to Dillon, Montana at the age of 14. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Arts Education and Elementary Education she worked as an Art Educator before pursuing a Master’s of Science in Arts Administration. Her Master’s research focused on how place and social interactions in relation to art become sustainable cultural assets in the formation of a sense of place and belonging. Acosta-Myers continues to explore her dual cultural background through involvement with several arts and cultural boards, organizations, programs, and now with Columbia Center for the Arts.
Rachael Erickson
Gallery Manager
gallery@columbiaarts.org
541-387-8877 x 5
Rachael is a practicing artist who heralds from Northeast Ohio. Before becoming CCA`s Gallery Manager, Rachael received her BFA from Kent State University in 2010 and MFA at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 2014 with a focus in glass. She has received scholarships to Pilchuck School of Glass as well as Pittsburg Glass Center. Rachael has also taught workshops at various schools around the U.S.
Post MFA she worked as an artist assistant, was manager at the Mark Payton Glass Center in Louisville Kentucky, and worked as Gallery Assistant and Gaffer at Nichols Art Glass in The Dalles.
All of her experience as an artist, educator, instructor, and manager have led her to her current position at CCA. Being relatively new to the Gorge, she is thrilled to be able to spend her free time enjoying all of the beauty and outdoor activities the area has to offer as well as drawing inspiration from it for her craft. Rachael strongly believes in living in the present moment and trying to make light of life. One of her favorite quotes to live by is “ Man suffers only because he/she takes seriously what the Gods made for fun”-Alan Watts
Mattea Schwab
Gallery and Administrative Coordinator
galleryassistant@columbiaarts.org
541-387-8877
Mattea joined the CCA team in February of 2021. She was born and raised here in the Gorge, and feels fortunate to be able to call it home! Amidst the pandemic, she received her Associates of Arts with a focus in Studio Arts & Illustration from Central Oregon Community College in Bend, OR.
Over the years she has worked alongside several local artists and is extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be mentored by each of them. Mattea has been able to gain her experience working as a studio assistant for multi-disciplinary artists here in PNW, each with an array of creative passions. She has been fortunate to be able to assist in the creation + installation of multiple commissions for upscale businesses. As well as assisting in workshops for a Flower + Natural Dye studio by taking part in the harvesting of materials, preparation of dye baths, etc.
Being a part of a variety of creative spaces in the area, she has been able to meet + collaborate with fellow local creators. Which has given her a great appreciation for the Arts community of the Columbia River Gorge. She enjoys working with creative-minded people + learning about ways to share her love for art with the community. She looks forward to seeing how she and her team at CCA can continue to create a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming space for art-loving people to come together here in The Gorge!
Hannalies Bosman
Operations Manager
adminasst@columbiaarts.org
Hannalies joined CCA in March of 2021. Working behind the scenes in a number of small to medium enterprises over the years, she has served and supported organizations to effectively manage, organize and optimize their results. A master of the client journey, organizational systems and processes, Hannalies brings together diverse information in projects into a format that is easy to understand and cohesive to automation and scalability. When she’s not at CCA, Hannalies works with clients as an RTT hypnotherapist and coach. She has lived in the Gorge for 11 years and was raised in a musical household with a love of theater, live music, and the classics. She is an avid gardener, baker, knitter, and amateur herbalist.
Colson Zack
Video Producer
Colson Zack recently joined the CCA Team as our Video Producer. He is passionate about creating film, photography, and more. Colson is a Hood River local and is very involved in the community here in the Gorge. He has worked alongside Columbia Gorge companies like Sailworks, HMK and others!
Being born and raised in Hood River has shaped Colson into the creator and adventurist he is today. As a graduate of Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon with a Bachelors in Digital Cinema, Colson is actively creating for passion and clients daily. Having already worked with a wide variety of clients throughout his time in university, Colson has established CLZ Media, a successful media company.
If the cameras are turned off, you can find Colson ripping mountain bikes in the forest, foiling on the river, or taking off in his plane at the local airport.
Joe Garoutte
Tech Manager & Operations Support
avtech@columbiaarts.org
541-387-8877 ext. 6
Committee Members
Gallery
Amirra Malak
Anna Barker
Dena Gadomski
Joe Cantrell
Scott Stephenson
Theatreworks
Judie Hanel
Joe Garoutte
Leilani Gibson
Jim Yue
Emily Vawter
Tom Burns
Bill Weiler
Personnel
Anna C. Cavaleri
Ron Cohen
Tim Mayer
Fundraising & Development
Finance
Ron Cohen
Judie Hanel
Tim Mayer
Founders – 2004
Founding Board of Directors
Judie Hanel, Executive Director
Gordon Mayer, Chair
Lynn Everroad, Treasurer
Chris Smith
Genevieve Scholl-Erdman
Mark Dane
Gallery Committee
Bill Sturman, President
Bonnie Reynolds, Vice President
Chris Smith, Treasurer
Cathleen Rehfeld
Erika Doring
Georgette Jones
Jennifer Kaden
Leila Prestia
Jules Burton
CAST Committee
Tom Penchoen, President
Carolyn Walls, Treasurer
Jeanette Burkhardt
Jim Bull
Leith Gaines
Mary Fassel
Richard Parker