The Region 2 Arts Council Welcomes Four New Members to the Board of Directors

The mission of the Region 2 Arts Council is to strengthen the presence of the arts by supporting opportunities for arts creation, promotion, and education for the people of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties. The ten-member Board of Directors is comprised of two representatives from each of the five counties in Region 2. This fall, the Region 2 Arts Council welcomes four new members to the Board of Directors:

Steve Ballard of Leonard, representing Clearwater County, received Bachelor degrees in Technical Illustration, Graphic Design, Arts Education and Special Education. He is currently teaching K-12 art classes at the Clearbrook-Gonvik Schools. Steve is a visual artist who won the Artist Mentor award in tenth grade. His background includes businesses in custom airbrushing and graphic design.

Steve Prenevost of Park Rapids, representing Hubbard County, received a B.S in Elementary Education and is a teacher in the Park Rapids Area Schools. He is an arts appreciator, advocate and consumer who appreciates people with artistic talent, and enjoys the opportunity to attend art activities.

Leah Prussia of Waubun, representing Mahnomen County, received a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S.W. in Social Work. She is currently a faculty member at the White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen. Leah is involved in the arts as a contributor, appreciator and advocate. She participates in community theater, plays the flute and writes poetry.

Nancy Cole of Williams, representing Lake of the Woods County, holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and is a member of the Borderland Community Orchestra, playing viola. She is a piano teacher, and has worked with string students and the string mentor program. She has an interest in crafts, dance and theater and is an arts advocate.

All four board members expressed the need to support and advocate for art in their counties, and to make art more accessible to the public in our region.