Desiree Freeland

Co-Chair

Desiree comes to the Pacific Northwest with years of experience with nonprofit event management and marketing. She has a particular fondness for arts nonprofits and the work that they do. Desiree has coordinated events ranging from weekend arts and crafts shows to managing logistics for multiple day juried fine arts shows. Her passion for all things downtown is only rivaled by her passion for working with people who actively pursue ways to make the space around them better.

Mariella Luz

Co-Chair

Mariella is a studio potter and ceramic artist. She is a graduate of The Evergreen State College, was the long time General Manager of K Records and founder of the Olympia All Ages Project. Mariella is also currently on the board of Artist Trust.

Danielle Ruse

Vice Chair

Danielle (she/her) co-owns a women-led communications & design company, August Creative, and is a longtime resident and arts advocate in Olympia, WA.

Danielle holds a Masters in Public Administration in Public Policy and is past elected chairwoman for the Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Area investing the downtown business fund in events and activities. She leads program development, grant writing, and contract management for OAA.

Ryan DiCrescenzo

Treasurer

Longtime downtown business owner, city employee, and decorated volunteer Ryan DiCrescenzo joined the OAA board in 2023. Ryan brings his in depth knowledge of accounting, fundraising and community engagement to our board leadership.

Kris Tucker

Secretary

Kris is an arts advocate and community volunteer. She is on the board of OlyAHA! (Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance), and is a reading buddy at Madison Elementary School. Kris was Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission 1999-2014, and previously was Executive Director of the Boise City Arts Commission.

Robert “Rusty” Fallis

Contracts Manager

Rusty recently retired as the Assistant Attorney General at Washington State Attorney General's Office. An accomplished musician and artist, Rusty shares decades of legal knowledge with our arts community through contract and program oversight.

Tracy Jameson

Past Chair, Storefronts Committee

Tracy is a lifetime advocate for the arts and is a portrait and art photographer with extensive experience in event planning.

Lucy Gentry Meltzer

Storefronts Committee

Lucy is a costume designer, artist and arts supporter. She served on the Oly Arts Commission and the board of Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts (POSSCA), and has taught art in the public schools.

Michelle Pope

Board Member

Michelle is a visual artist and the Visual Arts Operations Manager at The Evergreen State College as well as a TESC Alumna. She’s a former Board Member and Education Coordinator for the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild and the former Executive Director for Olympia Salvage. She is a long time supporter of Olympia’s downtown community and advocate of the arts.

Ron Hinton

Board Member

Ron is a practicing artist, a member of the Olympia Arts Commission, and is past president of the Friends of Art, Spencer Museum of Art; the Lawrence Arts Center, Board of Directors; and the Kansas Artist Craftsman Association.

Jean Mandeberg

Board Member

Jean is a visual artist and an emeritus faculty member at The Evergreen State College. She has served on the Olympia Arts Commission and the Washington State Arts Commission, and chaired the Washington State Arts Commission for two years.

Joe Tougas

Board Member

Joe recently retired from The Evergreen State College where he taught philosophy and visual arts for 20 years. He has been a downtown business and property owner for over 40 years, served on the Olympia Arts Commission, and produced a series of large public art pieces in the Olympia area and beyond. (2022)

Aimee Schreiber

Board Member

Aimee Schreiber is a visual artist and co-owner of Copper Wolf Tattoo Studio in Tumwater, WA. Copper Wolf is an active arts and community hub, with several practicing artists, ongoing events, and fundraisers to benefit the arts.