Boards of directors

This feisty, little Italian is small and mighty. Paula's side gig, Reach for Paula, is to organize: homes, garages, gardens, bookkeeping ledgers.  Anything out of sorts, Reach for Paula will put straight. Sometimes, even people😊

While Paula claims not to be an artist, we know that organization skills is her muse!  I bet her paints would be alphabetized!

Paula does treasury work for two other boards and is blessed with wonderful clients. Hopefully, I’ve helped others enjoy a more organized and settled living space.  And they appreciate all their paper and bookkeeping work in order.

My old boy dog and I have made Clarkston our home for about the last eight years. As a widow with no children of my own, family, friends, volunteering and work fill our days.  They are full and go by so fast!

Thank you for welcoming me to the Clarkson Arts. I’m sure to enjoy meeting all of you with your wonderful talents and creative natures. Maybe you can teach me to be a little creative!

Leanna Haun is a local artist, mother of 2, and really enjoys living in the Clarkston area with her family. Before building her art business (Picasso's Grapevine), she enjoyed a lengthy business career in various roles as  Controller, Director of Accounting and Compensation, Senior Business Analysis, Financial Integration, Digitization and Six Sigma Leader as well as Director of Human Resource.  While business has always played a primary role, her passion has always remained art.  Leanna was a founding member of Clarkston Arts and has been a board member of Independence Television for over 6 years - (Vice Chair).  She successfully created and co-produced over 50 episodes of "Painting with Picasso's Grapevine", winner of the Philo award and Hometown Media award.  Co-founder of the "Club Create of Clarkston" - an art group that provides fellow-ship and creative classes for special needs adults.  Club Create is still going strong with over 60 members and continues to meet twice monthly at the Orion Art Center. Graciously recognized with the "Stellar Start Up" award in 2014 and "Extreme Entrepreneur" in 2019 by the Michigan Business & Professional Association, Leanna was also recognized by the kind community of Clarkston as "Business Person of the Year" in 2016.  After donating her business to the Orion art Center at the onset of Covid, Leanna has enjoyed a much needed respit and has now rejoined the Clarkston Arts group with a focus on helping to develop artists' businesses.

Val Salinis is one of our new board members this year. She’s lived in Clarkston with her husband & 3 kids for 11 years. She comes to us with an art, design, and music background and works as a creative project manager. She enjoys performing with her band and spending time up north. “I’ve always appreciated what the CA has done for the community and knew I wanted to be a part of supporting the creativity of all types in our area.”

Ilze Lucero is a Clarkston based photographer and artist. She lives in Clarkston since 2011 with her husband and raised her two children here. Ilze was born and grew up in Riga, Latvia, and moved to the United States in the late 90s. She always had a great passion for photography and telling stories through images. She expanded her creative endeavors with painting and design and has several greeting cards sold on Minted.com and in Target. She continues to provide portrait photography services in Clarkston and Detroit Metro area as well as continues painting. She has the passion to grow the artistic and creative communities and make connections with creatives from various fields.

Moved to Clarkston 2012, married mother of 4, local business owner. Former elected Redford Township Trustee and Elected Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Redford Parks and Art Conservancy founder and vice chair. Event planner, writer and photographer for Hear Magazine.