Board of Directors
Our Board of directors is made up of volunteers from the community who utilize their various professional backgrounds, business connections, and personal skills to further the Sault Area Art Center's mission
Agatha Colbert,
Chair
A retired physician, has been the Chair of the Sault Area Arts Council (SAAC) the May 2022. Her interest and passion for the visual arts has been deeply influenced by her Art Historian husband, Charles Colbert, PhD. In retirement they spend several months each year, visiting Italy to view art, architecture, and sculpture. Agatha’s past leadership experience includes leading teams of clinicians in the care of physically disabled patients. She was also Program Director/Principal Investigator of two National Institute of Health (NIH) grants. Most recently she has served as the Project Director on two Michigan Arts and Culture (MACC) minigrants (ART CAMP 2023 and Enhancing SAAC Board Health)
Scott Laurson,
Vice-Chair
SAAC Vice Chair, Gallery Director, Member of Fundraising and Grants Committee, Educational Outreach Committee and Special Events Committee, and an artist. Laursen joined the Board after having an exhibition in the gallery. He holds an MFA in Photography from the New Hampshire Institute of Art. Laursen also has a Bachelor of Business Administration and began his career as a CPA. He has been an artist, business owner, and entrepreneur for 25 years. Scott is passionate about helping build the artist community in the EUP and is also a board member of the Upper Peninsula Art and Culture Alliance. He was recently awarded a MACC Operational Support Grant.
Cathie Chenoweth,
Treasurer
Board member of the Sault Area Arts Council in Sault Ste Marie, MI and lives in Pickford, MI. She holds a BS in Finance and Accounting from Central Michigan University, and retired after 20 yrs as CFO & co-founder of Old Mission Bank in Sault Ste. Marie, remaining as a Director. With 40 years of banking experience including accounting, finance, tax, audit, internal controls, commercial lending, regulatory compliance and staffing, Cathie contributes her background toward fiscal and organizational best practices. She has life-long interests in the visual, performing and culinary arts, is a pianist, seamstress and an avid gardener.
Holly Morrison,
Secretary
A retired cardiac sonographer, was a former member of the Olive M. Gallery Board, prior to its dissolution, and served many years as its secretary. Holly was one of the five members who joined the SAAC Board in May of 2022. She was elected Secretary of the SAAC Board at that time and continues to serve in that capacity. While Holly is not an artist, she has always been a strong supporter of the arts. Her husband, who is now retired, was an art instructor for 40 years, teaching at all levels, and is an accomplished blacksmith. Holly appreciates the value of the arts within a community, especially its community-building aspects through the creativity and diversity found in the arts.
Libbey Brown,
Operations Manager
Phyllis Bigelow
Board Member, Gallery Committee member, Gallery Treasurer, and 40-plus year shop volunteer. Phyllis resides in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and holds a BA with secondary education certification in Michigan. Now retired, she has been traveling in the country and abroad, studying French, and working on stained glass and rug hooking projects. Phyliss has taught several glass classes, sold, and repaired stained glass, and shown her creations in galleries. She is a seasonal docent in the local historical homes, a member of the historical society, a supporter of our local theatre, and secretary of the River of History Museum.
James Halvorson
A Certified Public Accountant with the firm Gillett, Halvorsen & Leonhardt, has served continuously as the SAAC Treasurer since SAAC’s inception in 1986. He has given generously of his time, energy, and professional talent in carrying out the annual Art Auctions and Summer Art Festivals, as well as managing all of SAAC’s finances. Jim also serves as Treasurer for the Robert P. and Ella B. Hudson Foundation and is a Board Director for the Old Mission Bank. In addition, he sits on the Audit Committee for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and serves as its tax commissioner.
Wilda Hopper
Chair of the Special Events Committee. Although Wilda is a newer member of the Board, she has been instrumental in helping to bring new revenue streams to SAAC quickly through spearheading several special events that not only achieved the goal of fundraising but also brought about awareness and exposure of SAAC to the community. Wilda and her husband own two local downtown businesses, Bird's Eye Outfitters and Café and Bird's Eye Adventures. Bringing art to the downtown business district is a passion of Wilda's. She is also co-founder of the non-profit O.U.T.house Consortium (Outdoor Use of Trails), founded to develop, maintain, and promote hiking, biking, and water trails in our area. Wilda sits on the Boards of O.U.T.house Consortium and Chippewa County.