About Us
The mission of the Star Valley Arts Council is to present quality cultural and fine arts performances; to provide and support educational opportunities; to develop local talent and artistic appreciation for both visual and performing arts; and to advocate for the arts in Star Valley.
We are a non-profit organization, completely staffed with volunteer officers and board members from across Star Valley.
We draw on the expertise of our members who have a wide variety of backgrounds including small business owners, business executives, therapists, professional artists, attorneys, and homemakers.
We are proud of the unique variety of experiences, views, and perspectives held by our officers and board. It makes us a better organization and is a great benefit to the arts community.
We are continually looking for community friends and neighbors to participate in the Star Valley Arts Council, whether through serving on our board, as an officer, or volunteering at a show.
Please CONTACT US if you’d like to be an arts advocate in Star Valley!
Meet The Board
Janet Erickson
Chairwoman
Janet holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Brigham Young University where she studied vocal and choral performance and education. Janet studied Choral Conducting and Arranging with Dr. Mack Wilberg (Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square) as well as children’s music with international authority Jerry Jaccard. Janet is a Certified Kodály Music Educator and has taught private voice and children’s music lessons for 27 years. Janet sings with the Salt River Chamber Choir and is currently the musical director of the Three Rivers Youth Chorus, which welcomes children ages 10 through 18 from the Western Wyoming Region. She is the education, agriculture and copy editor for the Star Valley Independent. She and her husband have 7 children and run a small ranch in Bedford.
Val Chadwick Bagley
Vice Chairman
Val has been cartooning since he could hold a crayon! Born in Afton, Wyoming and raised in Southern California, he has been able to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a self-employed professional cartoonist for almost 30 years. With over 100 books illustrated, he is one of the top selling artists with his publisher, Covenant Communications. His cartoons can also be found regularly in the Star Valley Independent newspaper. Val, and his wife Ruth, are grateful for the opportunity to live in Star Valley among so many wonderful people.
Tim Hale
Treasurer
A native of the Washington D.C. area, Tim moved to Afton with his wife, Kellie, and their children in 2016. Tim owns a financial planning business called Hale Financial Solutions, serves as chairman of the Lincoln County School District #2 Education Foundation, and enjoys being involved in a few other small business ventures. Tim enjoys reading, all-things-arts, exploring Wyoming’s great outdoors, exercise, and tracking down the best burger and fries in Star Valley.
Corinne Storey
Corinne Storey is a retired elementary school teacher who discovered she was not done with the classroom! She happily substitute teaches in the wonderful Lincoln County School District now and enjoys spending her free time traveling, gardening, and hiking with her husband, Brett. Her 3 adult children are the light of her life. Corinne grew up dancing ballet, performing in community theater musicals, and she participated in choirs through college. Her mother inspired her as a fine artist and Corinne loves supporting and personally delving into art in all its forms. Currently, she is developing her skills with felted wool creations.
Secretary
Denise Christensen
Denise and her husband Kit moved to Star Valley in July of 2017 after Kit retired. They currently live in Bedford. Denise has worked in the mental health field for the past 40 years and currently owns a counseling practice, Star Valley Counseling, in Afton. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a PhD in Holistic Health Sciences, which she implements into her practice to promote wellness in all areas of a client’s life. Denise and Kit have four adult children and eleven grandchildren and are so happy to be closer to their daughter, Jordan Madsen and her family that live in Afton. Denise loves to travel and has visited many parts of the world on humanitarian and teaching missions, as well as for pleasure. She enjoys reading, camping, hiking, gardening, yoga, long morning walks, and serving others.
Brad Olsen
Brad Olsen is a recently retired Professor of Theatre Arts. He has been providing technical direction, teaching, designing, and directing theatre professionally, and in higher education, for the past 35 years. He has taught at Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Northern Colorado, and Snow College. He served as Chair for both the Snow College Theatre Department and the Snow College Dance Department. At Snow College, he also served many years as the Dean of Fine Arts, Communications, and New Media.
Professor Olsen holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Lighting Design and Technical Direction from Utah State University and a Bachelors of Theatre Arts Degree from Brigham Young University. His doctoral work was in Playwriting and Direction at Brigham Young University. He served four years as a Respondent for KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival).
Doug Monson
Doug Monson currently lives in Afton, Wyoming. He has had a passion for drawing western and wildlife scenes since he was a young boy. Doug has always loved the outdoors. His favorite hobbies include horseback adventure riding, hiking in the local mountains of Star Valley, spending time in nature observing wildlife, and camping with his family. His personal experiences, like traveling to the Grand Tetons have greatly contributed to his artwork.
Taryn Boals
Taryn Boals is a professional artist residing and creating in Star Valley. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Montana State University, followed by her Masters of Fine Art in Painting from Northern Illinois University.
When Boals is not deeply immersed in her creative pursuits, she finds solace and happiness in a range of activities. Whether it’s spending quality time with her fiance and family, exploring nature through hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, tending to her flowers and caring for her chickens, or participating in agility events with her two dogs, Taryn’s love for the outdoors shines through.
In addition to her artistic endeavors and outdoor adventures, Taryn is dedicated to being of service to her community. Her passion for artistry, connection to nature, and commitment to making a positive impact reflect in all aspects of her life.
Annie Heiner
Annie lives in Thayne, WY and has lived in Star Valley her entire life. Annie has a Bachelors Degree from Brigham Young University in Business Management and owns and operates Desktop Design where she specializes in graphic design and printing. She and her husband Rusty, have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Annie enjoys riding on the back of the Harley with Rusty, bicycling, pickleball and playing with the grandkids.
Meet the Staff
Lxi Weber
Executive Director
Lxi was born and raised in Star Valley. She has a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design from Utah State University. She and her husband Marcus have 5 children, and currently reside in Thayne. She enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and everything to do with art. She also works as an impasto oil painter.