Arts Education

Joline Gitis: Gitis is a retired historic site interpreter for Minnesota Historical Society. She has worked as a grant writer in social services. She volunteered as a tour guide at Walker Art Center and Weisman Art Museum. She has been a longtime subscriber to Twin Cities orchestras. She has edited poetry journals. Gitis graduated from the University of Minnesota with an MA in American studies.; Heather Gordon: Gordon is a U. S. Navy veteran, where she worked as a photojournalist for seven years. She has her BFA from the College of Visual Arts, and is currently attending Minnesota State University, Mankato for fall 2023/24 term. She is in the process of applying to Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Gordon will study for an art therapy master?s degree. Gordon has previously served as a Minnesota State Arts Board grant advisor. She currently resides in her hometown of Saint Peter, with two of her three children.; Peggah Navab: Navab is a civil litigation defense attorney, advising organizations and individuals on employment and professional liability matters. Before becoming a lawyer, Navab worked in the nonprofit media world, helping produce documentaries for public television. Navab graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a BA in English, received a JD from the University of Minnesota law school, and sings in a community choir called Kith + Kin Chorus.; Sharon Nordrum: Nordrum is the founder of the Anishinaabe Artisan Market, a cohort of 30 local artists that host two artisan markets a year in the Bemidji area. She has been an artist her whole life but has only been selling at local art shows since 2011. She loves to explore new art forums. She has been the recipient of several art grants over the years. She also sits on three boards: MAHUBE- OTWA, the Lottery Re-Authorization Coalition, and the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.; Wendy Petersen Biorn: Petersen Biorn is employed by the Carver County Historical Society where she has held the position of executive director for eighteen years. She has worked in the nonprofit world for 30+ years and holds a master's degree in public and nonprofit administration. Highlights in her career include the development of the historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead and leading a successful three-year major fundraising campaign. She serves as a volunteer on several nonprofit boards and as a commissioner of zoning and planning.; James Sanford: Sanford is a trombonist, composer, conductor, bandleader, and educator based in Northfield. He received his master?s and doctorate at New England Conservatory in Boston before spending sixteen years in New York City as a freelance musician and professor. He is currently director of the Twin Cities Jazz Composers' Workshop and blog curator for the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers. Since relocating to Minnesota in 2016, he has received a 2018 McKnight Composer Fellowship; a 2019 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative grant; and 2021, 2022, and 2023 Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals grants.; Lisa Truax: Truax is an associate professor of art and design at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, and a practicing ceramic artist at her company, Lisa Truax Ceramics, LLC. She volunteers with the Minnesota Women's Ceramic Association and has received grants including the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative, and Jerome Foundation and Main Street grants. She has a bachelor?s degree in studio art and graphic design from Carthage College and an MFA in ceramics from Michigan State University.