Board of Directors
Lisa Shannon, President
Lisa Shannon, Chair, has been involved with MAC since 2018 as a board member and volunteer. She has coordinated many of the classes at the studio, and managed the annual Zucchini Race during Celebrate Bowdoinham. Lisa works full time and is a beekeeper, gardener, and mom of two grown girls. She sees her organizational skills and love of art as her biggest contribution to MAC. She is married and resides in Bowdoinham with her husband Steve, a local potter.
Lisa Shannon, Chair, has been involved with MAC since 2018 as a board member and volunteer. She has coordinated many of the classes at the studio, and managed the annual Zucchini Race during Celebrate Bowdoinham. Lisa works full time and is a beekeeper, gardener, and mom of two grown girls. She sees her organizational skills and love of art as her biggest contribution to MAC. She is married and resides in Bowdoinham with her husband Steve, a local potter.
Jen Kelley, Vice President
Jen Kelley is a recent transplant to Bowdoinham. After growing up in New Hampshire and attending college in Vermont, she hit the road and moved across country to California. Five years later, she drove back across country, this time taking the southern route and settling in Atlanta. It took 30 years to return to New England, but she’s happy to now call Bowdoinham home. She has a varied background in the Entertainment industry which thanks to the virtual nature now of all things, she is able to continue. Jen began making pottery right before the pandemic started so she was thrilled to discover the pottery open studio and has since been an active participant. She’s excited to join the MAC board and thanks everyone for the warm welcome.
Jen Kelley is a recent transplant to Bowdoinham. After growing up in New Hampshire and attending college in Vermont, she hit the road and moved across country to California. Five years later, she drove back across country, this time taking the southern route and settling in Atlanta. It took 30 years to return to New England, but she’s happy to now call Bowdoinham home. She has a varied background in the Entertainment industry which thanks to the virtual nature now of all things, she is able to continue. Jen began making pottery right before the pandemic started so she was thrilled to discover the pottery open studio and has since been an active participant. She’s excited to join the MAC board and thanks everyone for the warm welcome.
Katie Hudak, Volunteer Coordinator
Katie Lives in Bowdoin with her family and works with Pre-K students locally. Katie started volunteering with MAC in the Spring of 2023, with a focus on kids programing. We welcomed Katie onto the board in the Fall of 2023 when she became the Volunteer Coordinator. Katie loves the " Art for Everyone" mission of MAC and hopes to help us grow our programing.
Katie Lives in Bowdoin with her family and works with Pre-K students locally. Katie started volunteering with MAC in the Spring of 2023, with a focus on kids programing. We welcomed Katie onto the board in the Fall of 2023 when she became the Volunteer Coordinator. Katie loves the " Art for Everyone" mission of MAC and hopes to help us grow our programing.
Ruthanne Harrison, Gallery Coordinator
Ruthanne is an artist, teacher, and designer living and working in Richmond, Maine. She was born and
raised in New York, but summers spent in Maine as a child drew her back here permanently as
an adult. Growing up in a creative home full of art, books, and ongoing projects pointed her in a
direction that she wanted to follow. The path has been winding, with many detours, but
continuously intertwined with making and sharing art.
Her most recent projects employ two contrasting mediums: One project is making augmented
reality videos that explore issues of impermanence, mutability, loss, renewal, process over
product. Her other project is Sturgeon Moon Maine, designing and sewing handmade garments
made of natural fiber, block printed, and dyed with plant based dyes. She also teaches art and design
courses as an adjunct instructor in the Maine Community College system.
Ruthanne is an artist, teacher, and designer living and working in Richmond, Maine. She was born and
raised in New York, but summers spent in Maine as a child drew her back here permanently as
an adult. Growing up in a creative home full of art, books, and ongoing projects pointed her in a
direction that she wanted to follow. The path has been winding, with many detours, but
continuously intertwined with making and sharing art.
Her most recent projects employ two contrasting mediums: One project is making augmented
reality videos that explore issues of impermanence, mutability, loss, renewal, process over
product. Her other project is Sturgeon Moon Maine, designing and sewing handmade garments
made of natural fiber, block printed, and dyed with plant based dyes. She also teaches art and design
courses as an adjunct instructor in the Maine Community College system.
Nan Cumming, Treasurer
Nan has just retired from a 35-year career managing nonprofits and cultural organizations in Maine. Most recently, she was the founding executive director of the Portland Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit supporting the public parks of Portland. Nan has previously served as the Executive Director of Portland Trails, Curator and Assistant Director of the Maine Historical Society, and campaign director for the Maine Island Trail Association. She holds a BA in Art History and an MA in American and New England Studies. Nan is looking forward to her time spent in the studio creating and learning with our other participants!
Nan has just retired from a 35-year career managing nonprofits and cultural organizations in Maine. Most recently, she was the founding executive director of the Portland Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit supporting the public parks of Portland. Nan has previously served as the Executive Director of Portland Trails, Curator and Assistant Director of the Maine Historical Society, and campaign director for the Maine Island Trail Association. She holds a BA in Art History and an MA in American and New England Studies. Nan is looking forward to her time spent in the studio creating and learning with our other participants!
Leah Dence, Secretary
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
John Blunda, Marketing Coordinator
John is the marketing coordinator for the Merrymeeting Arts Center, where he guides the center to communicate its programs, ideals and goals to the community. John has been in the communications field for over 20 years, first as a production assistant, to a journalist, to producer and as a social media marketer. Passionate about storytelling, John uses his award-winning skills to help businesses and non-profits build a lasting connection with the community.
You can contact John via email by clicking here.
John is the marketing coordinator for the Merrymeeting Arts Center, where he guides the center to communicate its programs, ideals and goals to the community. John has been in the communications field for over 20 years, first as a production assistant, to a journalist, to producer and as a social media marketer. Passionate about storytelling, John uses his award-winning skills to help businesses and non-profits build a lasting connection with the community.
You can contact John via email by clicking here.
In the Studio...
Zachary Fields - Pottery Manager
Zachary is thrilled to be stepping into the pottery management role at Merrymeeting Arts Center. He has been teaching ceramics for 30 years and is passionate about sharing his love and knowledge of clay. A professional ceramic artist himself, he specializes in wheel throwing and raku firings: two things he's excited to share with the MAC community. As a recent transplant to Bowdoinham with his wife and son, he is looking forward to being a part of the creative community.
Zachary is thrilled to be stepping into the pottery management role at Merrymeeting Arts Center. He has been teaching ceramics for 30 years and is passionate about sharing his love and knowledge of clay. A professional ceramic artist himself, he specializes in wheel throwing and raku firings: two things he's excited to share with the MAC community. As a recent transplant to Bowdoinham with his wife and son, he is looking forward to being a part of the creative community.
Ashley West - Program Manager
Ashley lives in Bowdoinham with her small family, she grew up in Topsham and enjoys being in nature and sharing her love for creativity with her daughters. Ashley brings her enthusiasm and passion for the arts and is excited to help MAC continue to provide access to the arts for everyone!
Ashley lives in Bowdoinham with her small family, she grew up in Topsham and enjoys being in nature and sharing her love for creativity with her daughters. Ashley brings her enthusiasm and passion for the arts and is excited to help MAC continue to provide access to the arts for everyone!
Cathrine Scanlon - Open Studio Attendant
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!