Gallery One Board

Catherine Bambrick (Past President)

I grew up in Skagit Valley where I was lucky enough to live and work on my parent’s tulip farm. My childhood instilled in me an appreciation of rural agricultural communities.  I chose to attend Central Washington University in the fall of 1983 and immediately fell in love with Central Washington and with my husband Dale. Dale and I have remained in Ellensburg throughout our adult lives and developed a long-lasting relationship with Gallery One through our children. They were literally raised at Gallery One participating in art camps, art education, and making art through use of the ceramic studio.  Gallery One shaped their growth and appreciation of art in a way the formal educational system can not. I am part of the board of directors to ensure this legacy continues for all children in the area. Personally, I appreciate Gallery One’s art installations and having the opportunity to view and appreciate amazing art on a regular cadence. Gallery One is invaluable to me and is central to why my husband and I love to live in Ellensburg. I am currently the Administrator of Astria Toppenish Hospital where I get to enjoy my passion for providing exceptional healthcare to rural, agricultural communities.

Greg Beach
I am part of the Gallery One board because it’s a vibrant place in the community and I love the people involved in the organization! The people that work here, the people on the board, and people who attend events at Gallery One. I’m married to artist Kathleen Beach, who is a painter and set designer. For 39 years I owned and operated the Valley Cafe’ in downtown Ellensburg. Now that I am retired, it is my goal to contribute to those things that make Ellensburg a great place to live – and Gallery One is one of those places. One of the things I love about Gallery One is the Kittitas County Juried Exhibition because it showcases the diverse talents of our community members.

Barbara Bicchieri

I’m from suburban Washington DC, but moved to Ellensburg 50 years ago, when my husband, Marco, took a job at CWU.  My home is an old farmhouse outside of town, and rural living — the full catastrophe! — has been the backdrop to most of my life as an academic and raising a family.  I love art for its own sake but also for how it enriches our lives and the life of the community. In Ellensburg, Gallery One plays a central role in that enrichment through its shows, programs for kids and adults, art-focused social events, and support for local and regional artists.  I read a comment recently suggesting that “art repositions our sight and our judgment.” As a frequenter and supporter of the Gallery nearly since its inception, I say amen to that.  As a board member, I hope to give back a little for what I’ve been given over the years.

Ann Blais

I was born in Ellensburg while my parents were in college.  While I was raised in Seattle, I was a constant visitor to Eastern Washington where my grandparents lived, and we camped and hiked as kids. I spent most of my business career at Microsoft as General Manager of the Corporate Brand & Marketing Research where I gained broad experience in marketing, research, public relations, communications, and executive speech writing.  I retired in 2011. My husband and I moved our lives to Cle Elum in 2013, built a ranch in the Teanaway Valley.  We live on the river, grow hay, enjoy our horses and the active outdoor lifestyle we have here.  I have always been involved on a volunteer basis in my community:  Seattle Symphony Board of Directors; Leukemia Board of Washington. I work weekly at our wonderful community service organization Hopesource, in their CleElum food bank.

I am passionate about art and am an avid amateur oil painter (with a little watercolor thrown in when I travel).  I discovered Gallery One when we first moved here and was astounded at the design, content, and graciousness of the gallery.  I visit often, love the exhibits and local artists, I shop in the gift shop and have also taken classes, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  The Gallery is a wonderful way to marry two of my interests and commitments:  The community and art!  I hope I can be helpful in donating my time and interest to growing the Gallery and helping it meet its goals.  I look forward to the years ahead.

Becky Craig – President
My husband and I moved to Ellensburg because it was equally inconvenient to our business interests, family, and friends—that is to say, it was not close to anything, but was centrally located. I think of myself as a creative, but not an artistic person. I greatly admire those with artistic talent and want to support them as much as a creative, non-artistic person can. I love that the Gallery is a hub of creativity in Ellensburg & Central Washington. I love the people who recognize the gallery’s contribution and contribute so much in return. I love the flexible and open space of the Gallery.

David Cross
I was born in Ellensburg and a practicing pharmacist here since 1971. While attending CWU I became friends with the son of Gallery One’s founder, Eveleth Green. I enjoy cooking, especially chocolate and big food, and appreciate that the Gallery lets me try to perfect my own culinary art on patrons.

My all-time favorite exhibit at Gallery One was the glass sculpture installation by Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman. I loved the technical detail and the drama. In addition to liking the Gallery One’s physical space and the chance to see great art, I love the connectivity the Gallery gives to the community in so many ways.  I think Gallery One  is the heart of the local art community.

Patricia Cutright
Ken Girrard
We moved to Ellensburg from Brooklyn, New York in 2010 when Patricia accepted the position of Dean of Libraries at Central Washington University. In Brooklyn, I completed my Masters in Printmaking at the Pratt Institute, and Patricia worked as Director of Libraries. We joined the Gallery One Executive Board with a long history of experiences in the arts and music, having served on many boards and community organizations while living in eastern Oregon and in New York.

Bethany Davis – Secretary
For me, serving on the board of Gallery One is a family affair. As a young child growing up in Ellensburg, I can recall tagging along to events with my parents, who were both active volunteers and supporters of the gallery. My mom served on the board for a number of years, took numerous art classes and my dad exhibited many of his sculptures and other forms of mixed media. Growing up, art was part of what our family prioritized along with education and supporting Gallery One was an integral part of that.

After attending college, living and working in CA and starting a family, I migrated back to the Ellensburg and was drawn back to the gallery. Now as an adult, I find the variety of events as a wonderful hub to gather with friends at, as well as a means to support the arts in our community. I am drawn to the variety of classes offered for youth, with my son participating in many art-after-school or summer sessions over the past decade. We now have had the added joy of being able to take some together as a family, even with Grandma! Professionally, as a Speech Language Pathologist working in brain injury rehabilitation, Gallery One has also provided a supportive environment for hosting art therapy groups and members have enjoyed working across multiple mediums. All the staff and resident artists have been amazing to work with. I am proud to serve as a board member and give back in any way I can to support Gallery One’s mission.

Mollie Edson

I came to Ellensburg as a college student and never left. I love my life here in Ellensburg, the weather (sunshine), the art, interesting people, great outdoors, proximity to Seattle and laid back lifestyle. I raised five happy kids who have all moved away, temporarily I hope; (no one can leave Ellensburg forever). I renovated a building in the historic downtown, run an art gallery and am the chair of the board of a community radio station (eburgradio.org).

Elizabeth Frederick

After my husband Brian and I moved to the Upper Kittitas Valley in 1973, I served on the Head Start Advisory Board, the Cle Elum Roslyn School Board, and the Board of Health Advisory Council.

When I joined the Board of Gallery One in 1993, we were renting the top floor of our current building.  I was lucky to be “on board” in 1998 when the Gallery bought the building and then soon after renovated the entire space for use as an art center.  This was possible because of a hard-working board, an incredibly dedicated and capable staff, and a community willing to support and grow along with us.

It is particularly important to me that Gallery One is able to provide art opportunities that are accessible to all ages, backgrounds and abilities. For me, art education is the most important part of our mission.  I have greatly enjoyed seeing my three grandchildren attend many of the art camps offered in the summer months.

I support the Gallery’s goal of keeping Fun in our Fund-raising and I love seeing our physical space as a place where locals and visitors can come together and enjoy art and community.

As such, it has been a privilege to participate in a community art gallery becoming a regional visual art center. I love watching, working with and learning from all the community members who have made this possible.

Rachel Hall Kirk

I moved to Ellensburg in 2014 when I was hired to teach drawing and foundations in the CWU Department of Art + Design. I love being around creative people, and being on the Gallery One board is a great opportunity for me to have my finger on the pulse of the thriving art scene in Ellensburg. My mixed-media drawings have been shown around the country, and on several occasions Gallery One has allowed to share my artwork at the local level. I appreciate everything that Gallery One does to promote the arts, and being on the board is my chance to give back to an organization that gives so much to our community.

Wendy Hinckle
After enjoying 31 years of teaching, I have limited my volunteerism to serving on the Board of Directors at Gallery One. It is made up of dynamic members, and we work well together. I serve on the membership committee and remember us setting a goal of 250 memberships years ago. Today we have over 500 members! There are many things I love about Gallery One. When I moved to Ellensburg in 1979, it provided a cultural anchor for me. I was able to meet interesting people and begin collecting art. I found a place to belong in a new community. Gallery One continues to expose me to new artists, fill my home with art and provide meaningful relationships with people of all ages. I love the opportunities for children and adults to explore art. Gallery One is a treasure.

Lisa Lester – Treasurer

My husband and I have had a cabin in the Teanaway for many years and Kittitas Valley has been a haven for us. When we decided that we wanted a slower pace of life, we divested ourselves of everything but a few pieces of furniture, kitchen essentials, our art and books. We traveled around the State looking for our new home – and work – and that search brought us to Ellensburg. What we have found since moving here is not a slower pace, but a better quality of life! One of the first community events we attended was an exhibition opening at Gallery One and we knew immediately that this was a place we would frequent and support.

I self-identify as a wordsmith but appreciate many different forms of art. My current obsession is building with clay. I love to garden and preserve my own produce, am an avid reader, and a closet fan of animated movies. Other favorite things include CWU theatre, college basketball, and my dogs.

Drew Liedtke

An MFA at CWU brought my wife and me to Ellensburg in 2015. About a year after graduating in ’18, I began teaching K-12 Art for the Thorp School District. 

Gallery One has been a consistent part of my life since 2015. I’ve viewed and entered exhibitions, sold items in the gift shop, brought my students for field trips, and taught classes at the gallery. Being a member of the board is an opportunity for me to give back to the organization and community that welcomed me so openly many years ago and has continually reached out to include me.

Marty Miller
and Kathy Morse Miller
CWU brought us both to Ellensburg. After graduating, Marty started his now decade-long career as the business owner of Eastside Automotive. He and I met over thirty years ago when my Toyota needed a mechanics care.

The gallery has been a place we both have visited since the early 80’s. We especially appreciate the local artists displayed and the variety of art and programs throughout the year. We are humbled by the creativity and competence of the staff at Gallery One and happy to be a part of this amazing gallery.

Michelle DenBeste

I am a new resident in Ellensburg. I moved here during the pandemic to become Provost at CWU. Gallery One is such an important part of Ellensburg. I want to become more involved in my new community. I’m passionate about art and education. I’d like to see more CWU connections with the community and I’m anxious to begin becoming a productive member of the Ellensburg community. I love Gallery One and want to be involved to ensure its longevity and to help it grow and serve as many people as possible. Non profit work. I served on the Reel Pride Host committee for many years. We organized the 2nd longest running LGBTQ film festival in the country and provide a community resource for Fresno’s LGBTQ community.

Laura Stanley – Vice President

I am a Virginian, born and bred, having lived in the Old Dominion until I moved to Ellensburg in 2014 following my retirement after 34 years as a federal employee working for Naval Intelligence.   I moved to Ellensburg, seeking the small town feel that I grew up with in Northern Virginia in the sixties and seventies.  I came close to finding it!  For me, I express my artistic self in photography.   My passion for photography was sparked after receiving my first single lens reflex  camera in 1975.  In high school, I had an influential mentor who taught me the art of black and white photography.  I was also blessed that my parents built and outfitted a darkroom to allow me to hone my art.    In 1977, after encouragement by my mentor,  I submitted my portfolio for consideration and was accepted to study at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C.   My photography isn’t focused on any one genre.  I love to capture the world around me, whether it be people, nature, or architecture.   

Gallery One is a unique and special place within Kittitas County.  The programs Gallery One offers for artists of all ages, abilities, and interests opens up infinite opportunities to explore their artistic passions, and for some, to discover and feed their nascent artistic talents.  It’s a haven of  endless energy and creativity that provides consistent support to artists to showcase their work and encourage those just learning the joy of creating.  My most enjoyable events at Gallery One are Show Openings and the annual Juried Show…the energy is palpable, with so many diverse artists in one space, talking and sharing their art.  

Patrick Stanton
I have been a resident of Ellensburg since 1989 when I arrived to attend CWU, majoring in Economics, Accounting and Finance. After graduating I married Jodi Hoctor (of the Ellensburg Hoctors.) I’ve spent two decades serving on local and regional non-profits and social boards including the Ellensburg Chapter American Red Cross board, Secretary for the Ellensburg Masonic Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Washington F&AM Finance Committee, and Treasurer for Gallery One.

I have worked for a regional university for over 20 years where I am currently employed as Controller. As a resident artist at Gallery One I have won regional awards for my work, mostly as a jeweler, but I also dabble with Legos. My favorite color is Orange, I am a Sagittarian, my Wu Tang name is “Tha Specialist”, my CB handle is “Punchy Roller”. If I could be any animal I would be a three toed sloth, because they get to take lots of naps. Incidentally, I also own North America’s largest collection of Fisher Price Little People “Lucky” dogs.

Alicia Winbauer
As the owner of Ellensburg Travel, I enjoy helping clients plan their vacations all over the world. I moved to Ellensburg to attend CWU and never left. I have been a part of the Gallery One Board since 1998 and have appreciated being able to help Gallery One grow and flourish. I love the accessibility of Gallery One and how many people get to use and experience all that we have to offer like classes, exhibits, events and more. Cynthia Krieble’s show was one of my favorites. Much like impressionist painting, the whole of the picture is different depending on how close you are to it.  I look forward to being a part of the next 20 years at Gallery One.