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Staff and Board
Staff
Director
Erin Peyer
A Wisconsin transplant, Erin grew up playing music and earned her Master's degree in Piano Pedagogy. Upon moving to Michigan in 2018, she decided to switch gears and pursue a career in nonprofits. She started at the ACWL-Nuveen as the Assistant to the Director before becoming Director in September of 2019. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Muskegon LEAD Giving Circle. She spends most of her free time reading, baking tasty treats, and hanging out with her husband, daughter and pups.
Assistant Director
Susan Wink
A Michigan native, Susan lived in the high plains desert of Roswell, New Mexico for several years where she maintained a professional studio creating custom ceramic tile and designing and building community-based public art. She also has an extensive education background teaching art to all ages in school and museum settings. Sue recently returned home to the “mitten” to be closer to family, the dense green woodlands, and the awe-inspiring Lake Michigan. When not in the studio, Sue enjoys cooking, reading and exploring the beautiful beaches throughout the state.
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Ian Martin
Ian has always been drawn to creativity and education. He has worked as the Training Program Manger for Braintree-PayPal, as a trainer at Apple Retail, and as an English teacher in Valencia, Spain. Ian’s artistic background is in writing and filmmaking. Ian is thrilled to be joining ACWL-Nuveen which combines his passions for education and creativity. He looks forward to highlighting the artists, educators, patrons, and volunteers who are central to ACWL-Nuveen.
Board of Directors
Chair
Shelley Williams
Retired director of the White Lake Community Library, Shelley is the Chair of the ACWL-Nuveen Board. She enjoys learning to create stained glass projects, playing with her grandchildren and travel. She is looking forward to new adventures in retirement and in helping advance the arts for all in our area.
Secretary
Deb Harris
Deb was a teacher in the Reeths-Puffer district until her retirement. She is an active member and teacher at the ACWL-Nuveen. She enjoys boating and soaking in the sights of White Lake.
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Alexandria Austin
Alexandria Austin is a freshman at Muskegon Community College. She has always had an interest in the arts, loves being a part of the White Lake community, and doing anything she can to help. She also loves animals, talking to people, reading and creating art.
Jane Hanna
Retired Montague teacher, Jane has been involved with the ACWL-Nuveen for many years. In her free time she enjoys days on White Lake and traveling.
Christopher Jones
Chris Jones was first introduced to the arts in the White Lake area through productions at the Playhouse at White Lake. He has explored the arts through a diverse range of disciplines and has a strong background in non-profit and retail. Chris enjoys taking classes through the ACWL-Nuveen, learning new creative skills, and sharing his knowledge with others.
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Ashlynn Kafka
Ashlynn is currently a Sophomore at Whitehall High School. She joined the ACWL-Nuveen board because she wanted to continue helping out and participating at the center. The ACWL-Nuveen is where she displayed some of her first paintings, so she wants to help out as much as she can!
Laura Ritchie
Laura has been involved with the ACWL-Nuveen since 2010. Laura’s hope for the ACWL is to give opportunities to all artists in our community and to assist with ensuring that our center is accessible and welcoming to all. Laura works full time at Healthwest in Muskegon. She and her husband live with their boys in the White Lake community and enjoy all of the things this area has to offer for the arts and outdoor activities.
Treasurer
Cindy Francis
Cindy is the treasurer and also a Montague Area Public Schools Board Member. She and her husband own Montague Tree Farms and are involved in many organizations and events around White Lake area.
Chair-elect
Holly VanderPlaats
Holly is a former social worker who spent her clinical and administrative career in mental health and substance abuse agencies in Grand Rapids. She and her husband moved to Montague in 2009. Since her retirement in 2013 she has been involved as a volunteer in a number of church and community activities. She is excited to join the ACWL-Nuveen Board in their efforts to bring art to all those living in the White Lake area. She enjoys reading, boating and bridge.
Carolyn Carmel Dkyman
Carolyn is a local photographer who graduated from the Art institute of Phoenix with a degree in visual communications. Carolyn has lived in the White Lake area for 18 years, with her husband Jeremy and 5 children. She enjoys books, coffee and the water.
Peter Johnson
Peter, more commonly known in the area as "Peter the Potter" has been an active member of ACWL-Nuveen for many years. When not working in his studio he can often be found on cross country skis both in Michigan and internationally.
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Ann Kraus
Ann is an artist with a background in construction and management. In addition to all things art, she enjoys working on house projects, hiking, biking, and travel.
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Kanda Parrott
As a freelance artist relatively new to the area, Kanda wanted to join a group of art enthusiastic and driven people as well as make lasting connections in the community. Kanda hopes to help ACWL in their future projects/plans and add a fresh perspective while working on meeting her own artistic goals!
Kathy Rogers
Kathy is a retired art teacher for Whitehall District Schools and has been an active member of the ACWL-Nuveen wearing many hats since 1999. As an artist herself, her paintings can be seen in the gallery. Kathy continues to be a life-long learner and teacher.