Michelle joined ArtsWA in April 2022 as the Art in Public Places Program Coordinator. Before joining ArtsWA, Michelle was the Office Manager at Church Rietzke Johnson, PLLC where she managed multiple overlapping tasks, and became very familiar with many new policies, laws, and regulations. During her years with the law firm, Michelle utilized her wide experience to create in-depth procedures to improve overall administrative processes. Her work requires close attention to detail and clear communication skills, two strengths she attributes to her background as a writer and editor. She holds a B.A. from San Jose State University in English and Professional Technical Writing.

Daniya Baisubanova joined the Arts Commission in December 2022 as the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Program Specialist. Before joining ArtsWA, Daniya supported the Arts Program at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and served as their internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Facilitator. Previously, Daniya served at the Washington State Women’s Commission, and managed international development projects in Kyrgyzstan.

Daniya holds a B.A. in Political Science from the American University of Central Asia, and a Master of Arts in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Daniya is excited to be joining ArtsWA and is keen to promote the healing power of arts among the military community.

Bryan Bales joined ArtsWA in July 2022 as the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Program Manager. Bryan is a Marine Corps Veteran with a BA in Social Science from WSU and a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Warner Pacific University. Bryan is a WA State Certified Peer Counselor. Bryan has a deep understanding and appreciation of the arts and looks forward to connecting service members and veterans to the arts to be able to learn new skills, find a new passion and/or purpose, and discover the healing benefits that the arts can provide.

Jonah is the Collections Coordinator for the Art in Public Places program. They got their start at ArtsWA as a student employee from 2014-2016, and returned in November 2021. Jonah regularly helps with assessing artworks, collections organization and archiving, and object photography. Jonah also served as the Art Collection Project Manager for The Evergreen State College’s art collection. Both as an artist and administrator, they have made their career growing arts and creative sectors in the South Puget Sound region. Besides a filmmaking and published writing career, they have worked as a marketing director, bookseller, and script supervisor on various films.

Gabriel joined the Art in Public Places program in 2022 as a Conservation Lead of 3D and Integrated Artwork. Previously he worked for 9 years coordinating public art programs for Spaceworks Tacoma. Born and raised in Spokane, Brown is also a shoe cobbler and a visual artist, focusing on sculpture and performance art. After graduating from Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University, he went on to earn an M.F.A. from Washington State University.

Korja joined the ArtsWA team as a budget analyst in March 2023. Prior to this, she worked for several years at a local credit union and nearly a decade at a non-profit arts organization. She’s excited to bring those two worlds together and support the amazing work being done by the ArtsWA team. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The Evergreen State College.

Alcamy Henriksen joined ArtsWA in the summer of 2023 as a Conservation Technician for the Art in Public Places Program. She has been working in conservation for over a decade with private practice conservators, among them Bynon Arts Services, as well as for The Tennessee State Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and The Notarial Archives in New Orleans. A Graduate of The North Bennet Street School in Boston she specializes in book and paper conservation and is currently pursuing another degree at The Evergreen State College. Alcamy is a classically trained bookbinder and practicing artist focusing on photography, alternative processes, and 2D art.

Jonathan Hickerson joined ArtsWA in July 2022 and currently serves as the Conservation Lead for Eastern Washington’s Art in Public Places program. He maintains, repairs, installs, and transports public art throughout the state. Previously, he served for eleven years as an artists’ assistant and foundry technician at the Walla Walla Foundry. Hickerson is also a multi-media sculptor based in Walla Walla. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Wyoming.

Lauren Iida manages Art in Public Places projects in public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. She is also a practicing artist and graduate of Cornish College of the Arts (’14) in Seattle. Her passion lies at the intersection of art and social justice. She believes that art is a powerful tool for storytelling and connection and an important lens through which to investigate culture and heritage.

Linnea Ingalls joined ArtsWA in January 2021 with Grants to Organizations and joined the Tribal Cultural Affairs program in July 2024. She trained and practiced as a theatre artist for many years, as well as co-founded a community storytelling and performance series, She is Fierce Stories. She holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University, focusing on participatory creativity and culturally relevant arts access. A supporter for the creation of the Tribal Cultural Affairs program since she began with ArtsWA, Linnea is honored to now devote her career to Tribal and Native communities and cultures.

Desiree has a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis and a Minor in Cinematic Arts from the University of Southern California. Her passion and commitment to the arts is what brought her to ArtsWA, where she serves as the Fiscal Analyst to the operations team. Her role supports both the Deputy Director and Budget Analyst in daily operations of agency level needs. Desiree’s work at ArtsWA supports the agency’s goal to ensure arts funding is accessible to all Washingtonians.

Adrienne joined ArtsWA in March 2022 and supports the Communications team with their online presence and administrative needs. She previously worked in roles that included website and marketing development, systems management, and graphic design. She is passionate about the written word and loves working at the intersection of communication and arts culture. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Seattle Pacific University.

Tamar joined ArtsWA in 2019. She oversees projects that expand arts and cultural learning opportunities for young people. Her past work as a K-12 educator, an artist, and in teacher education has focused on language, literacy, and culture. Current projects include AIE grants, building bridges between schools and community organizations, and amplifying the creative practices of youth and educators. Tamar holds a Master in Teaching degree from The Evergreen State College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute.

Ashley has joined the Grants to Organizations team as the Administrative Assistant. She has a Masters of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership from Seattle University where her work includes experience with Wa Na Wari, the 2020 exhibition Abstractions of Black Citizenship: African American Art from Saint Louis, and the applied Arts Ecosystem Research Project (AERP). She enjoys learning about the rich, expansive, and impactful arts and culture history in Washington State and is passionate about sharing that history with others.

Kalei Matsui joined ArtsWA July 2023 and serves as the Arts in Education Program Coordinator. Previously, she held roles as Master Teaching Artist with Arts Corps and Director of Museum Services at the Wing Luke Museum of Asian Pacific American Experience. An artist in dance, music, and lei, Kalei is currently the Founding Leader of Polynesian Dance Troupe Huraiti Mana. Kalei views the arts as a powerful vessel for igniting cultural pride and cultivating belonging. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Seattle University where she also studied entrepreneurship and design.

Rebecca joined ArtsWA in 2024 and is based in eastern Washington. She earned her MFA in painting and sculpture from Idaho State University in 2018 and taught courses in studio and art history at the college level prior to joining ArtsWA. As a studio artist, she exhibits nationally and internationally and has a variety of works in public and private collections. She served on the Pasco Arts and Culture Commission from 2019-2023 and is dedicated to promoting accessibility and community engagement.

Jared joined the Art in Public Places program in September of 2019. He maintains, repairs, installs, and transports public art throughout the state. He has previously served as the Lead Art Handler at the Seattle Art Museum for the last five years. Prior to that he worked for eight years at Artech Fine Art Services. In addition, Jared has worked extensively at several frame shops and galleries and holds a degree in Psychology and Fine Art from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Leslie serves as Executive Assistant to Karen Hanan, ArtsWA’s Executive Director. She connects Karen with constituents and legislators, supports the 23-member ArtsWA Board, and wears the Human Resources Liaison hat. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration, and has extensive work experience with organizations in both the public and private sectors. Her experience and interest in the arts is multi-faceted, which is reflected in the many aspects of support for the arts she provides within ArtsWA. Current personal pursuits include writing, music, and theater.

Janessa manages Art in Public Places projects in public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. Before joining ArtsWA in 2024, she oversaw art projects for corporate and hospitality spaces and contributed to curation, marketing, and community programming at arts nonprofits, museums, and galleries. Passionate about fostering inclusivity and creating community impact through art, Janessa holds a Master’s in Visual and Critical Studies, a Bachelor’s in Art History, and a Museum Studies Certificate.

Thomas Grant Richardson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions, a state-wide folk and traditional arts program presented in collaboration with Humanities Washington. Through on-the-ground programs, including the Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program and the Cultural Traditions Survey, the Center is a go-to source for learning about Washington’s rich, diverse cultural heritage. Dr. Richardson views the folk and traditional arts are the lifeblood of healthy communities and testament to the myriad forms of human creativity.

Annette joined ArtsWA in October 2017 as the Creative Districts Program Manager. She develops and implements this statewide program, which works to prepare communities for state certification. She is the former Marketing and Communications Director for the Thurston Economic Development Council. She previously co-founded a boutique marketing and design firm in Tacoma. Annette holds an adjunct faculty position at South Puget Sound Community College, teaching graphic design. Annette studied English at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Thurston County.

Alexis joined ArtsWA in December 2019 as the Arts and Early Learning Project Manager. Since 2003, she has focused on shaping and supporting education programs that connect young learners with the arts. Through her work with Mariah Collaborative Art School, the co-founding of the Encore Arts Memorial Foundation, and most recently with Olympia Family Theater, she brings expertise and energy around arts administration and early learning. Alexis holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College.

In 2000, Deane assisted with the Governor’s Arts and Heritage Awards while working at the State Theater in Olympia. That experience ignited her goal to work at ArtsWA and be a part of a dynamic staff, doing amazing work. She joined the staff two years later and served as Program Coordinator for the Art in Public Places Program for 18 years before moving into the Deputy Director position. Deane holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Western Washington University. Before coming to ArtsWA, she worked locally as a stage and production manager, as well as in marketing and operations for two local theaters. She continues to volunteer in the arts community and has served on the boards of Olympia Family Theater, NW Playwrights Alliance, and the Evergreen Playhouse.