Meet the Team

Meet the dedicated team behind the Emporia Arts Council! Our passionate staff and board works to bring engaging arts education, inspiring exhibitions, and vibrant performances to the community, fostering creativity for all.

Dawn Young
Dawn YoungExecutive Director
Dawn leads the organization in bringing vibrant arts programming, education, and cultural events to the Emporia Community and surrounding areas.
Amy Gonzales
Amy GonzalesMarketing & Member Service Coordinator
Amy promotes arts programming, engages the community, and enhances member experiences through strategic outreach and communication.
Sadie Ayer
Sadie AyerArt Education & Outreach Coordinator
Sadie develops and leads engaging art programs, workshops, and community outreach initiatives to inspire creativity for all ages
Sam Russell
Sam RussellGallery & Art Store Coordinator
Sam plays a key role in keeping the arts thriving in our community—providing vital support for daily operations, communications, scheduling, and coordination.

They also curate exhibitions, champion local and regional artists, and manage the Art Store, connecting the community with one-of-a-kind creative works.

Cody Lacy
Cody LacyEvent Manager
Cody oversees client scheduling for rentals at the Granada Theatre and the Davis Theatre, guiding clients through the booking process and helping them bring their events to life.
Laura Parish
Laura ParishHetlinger Creates Art Instructor
Laura designs and leads engaging daily art activities for IDD participants of all skill levels. She does this through creative projects and adaptive techniques, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can explore and express their artistic abilities.

Emporia Arts Council Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Jill Burton – President

Heather Caswell – Secretary

Roberta “Bo” Swanson – Treasurer

Board Members

Sarah Eimer

Chelsea Evans

Jason Hoelting

Jennifer Holt

Ben Moore

Dan Robertson

Joni Vaughn

Jeff Williams