Methow Arts Board of Directors


Sarah Jo Lightner, Board President

president.methowarts@gmail.com


Ryan Bell, Vice President

vp.methowarts@gmail.com

Ryan is an award-winning journalist living in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State. A former cowboy, Ryan specializes in examining how agriculture impacts the natural world. He is a two-time National Geographic Explorer for documentary projects in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. His work on roadkill food harvesting was made possible, in part, with a Passion Project Grant from the Society of Professional Journalists, Washington Chapter. His work has appeared in National GeographicNPRBloombergVICE, and many other publications. Follow him on Instagram @ryantbell.


Jonathan Baker, Secretary

secretary.methowarts@gmail.com

Owner/Operator/Designer of eqpd in Twisp, WA, a company that uses the principles of industrial design to create everyday products that respect all people and the environment. As a lifelong artist he feels strongly about supporting art education for all students and helping the art community thrive.



 Dorothy Mitchel, Treasurer

treasurer.methowarts@gmail.com

Dorothy is originally from the west side spending most of her time in North Seattle. After spending time out of college in Mazama, WA working for Liberty Bell Alpine Tours, Sun Mountain, Duck Brand and the Virginian, she moved back to the west side and pursued a career in the financial services industry retiring after 35 years, mostly serving the West coast. Dorothy earned her bachelor’s degree from Washington State University while playing soccer and skiing on the Nordic ski team.
You may see Dorothy volunteering at the Recycle Center, biking, hiking, skiing the trails and playing  golf. In addition, you can find her leading tours for Discovery Bicycle Tours, working at the Mazama Public House and occasionally at the golf course.
She looks forward to being a part of the vibrant arts community in the Methow Valley.   


Maddie Lee James

Maddie has worked in the Methow Valley for the last 14 years; managing and marketing for Blue Star Coffee Roasters, doing social justice work for Room One, natural dying with Sara Ashford and operating Wild Color Baby and sitting on the board of directors for the Rural People’s Voice. She has a range of interests that are all driven by a passion for cultivating community, justice and beauty through art and storytelling. A favorite project of hers so far have been designing and leading the Youth Storytelling Project- a project through Room One where she had the honor of supporting 6 local teens from across Okanogan County in creating a series of short films that identified barriers and sources of resilience for the county’s youth.  Through her work at Room One and her time living in Omak, she also built relationships with a range of folks who are doing important work to serve youth all across this large and diverse county. She is excited to bring her passion for art, knowledge of Okanogan county, community organizing skills and dedication to equity for the youth of this region to the board of Methow Arts. She lived in Twisp with her partner and two daughters. 

 


Livia Millard

Born and raised in the Omak area and on the Colville Indian Reservation, Livia descends from the Umatilla and Colville tribes (Wenatchi and Entiat tribes). As a first general college student, Livia understands educational, and equity needs. Livia is an advocate towards a better world in climate change, sustainable living, eliminating human trafficking, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently employed at Paschal Sherman Indian School.


Betania Ridenour

Craftsperson, Teacher and Student of Ancestral Skills, and Owner of Bristle & Stick Handcrafted Brooms.


Salyna Gracie


Don Ashford, Board Emeritus


Artist and Owner/Operator of KTRT Methow Radio. Read Don’s artist feature HERE.