Through active involvement and engagement, Arts NC State’s Board of Advisors promotes the welfare and development of Arts NC State’s programs through advocacy, fundraising, and service. Our members serve as liaisons for generating interest in Arts NC State’s programs and initiatives, playing a crucial role in helping to develop the private financial resources necessary to support and strengthen our exceptional programs.
Dan Cook, Chair
Dan Cook began his career as a 4-H agent at NC Cooperative Extension in Harnett County followed by 30 years with the statewide organization for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives in member relations and training. After his retirement from that organization, Dan joined NC State’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences part-time as the interim director of the 4-H Development Fund. In 2017, Dan founded his own training and development consulting business (3C Consulting LLC).
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“I have been involved in some area, music, theatre, pottery and visual arts since my childhood and especially beginning in my high school years and continuing until the present.”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“I have been a NC state ‘fan’ since I first attended NC 4-H Congress (held on NC State’s campus) as a teenager. Being asked to serve on the FANS Board gives me an opportunity to gain an even greater appreciation for ALL of the many ways that students can take an active role in some aspect of the arts. It also allows me perfect opportunities to share with friends and associates all of the great programs and community outreach programs that are made available throughout the year.”
Diane Ocilka Sanders, Chair Elect
Diane Sanders retired from NC State in 2008 after serving as University Theatre’s marketing director for 18 years. Diane is a supporter of various arts organizations throughout the Triangle, including the Arts NC State, Cary Arts Center, the North Carolina Symphony, and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“My years spent as part of Arts NC State enabled me to meet countless students who acknowledged that the arts on campus added to their lives. A young engineering student once told me she chose to attend NC State not only for its fine academic programs but because it encouraged her to participate in the arts without requiring the arts to be her major. I am pleased and honored to be a member of the board.”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“I believe the arts bring people and their ideas together. Public art can provide a new way to experience your community. Families are delighted when they share their experiences discovering or renewing their interest in the arts. Art lifts up humanity and challenges the individuals to think differently about themselves and the world. NC State students make lasting friendships through their participation in the arts programs.”
Louis Cherry
Dare Coulter
Dare Coulter, a 2015 NC State graduate, is one of the Triangle leading creative voices. A visual artist, Dare studied art and design at NC State’s College of Design and sculpture through training with Holly Fischer at Meredith College. Dare is primarily a figurative ceramic sculptor, but she works in a diverse range of fields and media including drawings, paintings, and murals. Dare has won more than 60 awards. Last year she completed her residency as the inaugural fellow for the Jo Ann Williams Artist Fellowship in association with the Black on Black Project and painted the largest mural in Fayetteville, NC. She has illustrated four children’s books and an extended card, all featuring positive imagery of people of color. Dare’s goals are to create a mural on every continent and win a monumental sculpture commission every year.
Joan-Ellen Deck
Joan-Ellen Deck and her husband, Thomas Sayre, are mainstays in the Raleigh arts community. While not formally trained, Joan-Ellen is a dedicated “dabbler” in the arts. She has taken various local arts classes, including at the Crafts Center. Joan-Ellen has primarily worked with fabric sewing, and dying, though her current focus is on Encaustic. She is an avid follower and supporter of the local dance community and was the only non-major dancer in her college’s dance company. Joan-Ellen holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education from Corker College and Appalachian State University, respectively.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“I believe that exposure to the arts is important in the development of rounded, sophisticated members of society. I feel that institutions of higher learning are a perfect place to allow access to the arts, and NC State is exceptional in this area.”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“Beyond the classroom a university should offer a stimulating and vibrant environment to support the growth of the students it serves. The arts are an important way to expose students and the surrounding community to exciting and different ways of viewing the world.
Besides developing and growing the personal creativity of the individual, exposure to the arts is creating consumers of the arts. Individuals who value the arts are more likely currently and in the future to seek and participate in arts opportunities in their communities. Having active participants and supporters of the arts helps the arts thrive, which adds to the richness of life in any community.”
George Hage
Roxanne Hicklin
Roxanne Hicklin has served as the Director of Art & Scenic Operations at SAS for over 35 years, where she stewards the company’s internationally known art collection. She is a longtime supporter of Wolfpack Women’s Basketball and the Lonnie Poole Golf Course. In 2017, Roxanne broadened her support of NC State by establishing the Visual Artist Award Endowment. Roxanne is trained in the fine arts and holds a BFA from Salem College.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“I support Arts NC State in many other ways, so I decided this would be a good way to further support my passion, both for NC State and for the arts at NC State.”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“Art enlightens everyday life. It inspires creativity in the creator and the viewer. I am very pleased that NC State recognizes the value of art for the students and the public.”
Mary Anne Howard
Mary Anne Howard is a longtime Raleigh resident and arts supporter. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from East Carolina University and retired in 2016 after nearly a decade in fundraising at the North Carolina Community Foundation. Mary Anne is a former member of the Gregg Museum board and has served in volunteer leadership positions at the Visual Art Exchange and Artsplosure.
How are you personally engaged in the arts?
“In addition to previously serving on the boards of the Gregg Museum and Artsplosure, I worked with VAE and with Rory Parnell and Shawn Brewster at Raleigh Contemporary Galleries.”
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
I enjoy Arts NC State events and would enjoy helping to continue support of these interesting and worthwhile programs. I am looking forward to being an ambassador for Arts NC State. There are many living in Triangle who are unaware of the university’s strong arts programming.
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“Arts NC State enriches the students, faculty and citizens of Wake County.”
Jason Lemons
Jason Lemons graduated from NC State in 1998 with a degree in textile management. He has served as a direct sales leader throughout his career and has worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2007. Jason plays the guitar, attends concerts, and visit museums with his family. His two young children are involved in the arts, including in music, painting, and drama.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“Once I learned about Arts NC State and reflected on my time attending the university, I was excited to have the opportunity to join the board. I love NC State and am a believer that the university has not yet met its potential. I think the arts are a way to support the community and the students at NC State.”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“The arts are so important to our community and I think NC State can play an important role. For example, the Gregg connects “downtown arts” to the campus so beautifully. As the university continues to grow and evolve and branch out further into the community, the university and community have a responsibility to support one another, and the arts can be a great example of serving one another.”
Ken Maruyama
Ken Maruyama retired to Raleigh after an extraordinary four-decade career as a graphic designer, filmmaker, Art Director, Animation Producer, Creative Director, Executive Video Production Producer and as an Executive in two premier visual effects companies: Industrial Light & Magic and Sony Pictures Imageworks. He earned a BA in fine arts and history from Western State Colorado University and an MA in, Graphic Design from the University of California, Los Angeles.
How are you personally engaged in the arts?
I am an avid painter which is something I wanted to get into after retiring. I hadn’t touched a canvas since college so the first thing I did was to take classes from local professional artists like Bob Rankin and Larry Dean. I love it.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
I learned about Arts NC State through a friend and FANS Board member, Linda Satterfield. I was immediately interested in Arts NC State because the work I did with universities and colleges was some of the most rewarding work in my career. I enjoy being able to work closely with faculty and students to market and sell the art of visual effects. This experience, I believe, can benefit faculty and students of NC State and the community at large.
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
Simply put, I believe the arts and art programming provide life-enhancing experiences that touch everyone in some way whether it is through expanding their imaginations or simply giving them permission to dream.
Nancy Novell
Tara Owens
Charles Phaneuf
Charles Phaneuf is leader in a Raleigh arts community. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Raleigh Little Theatre. There he blends his identity as an artist (Charles is an accomplished musician) with his training and experience as an arts administrator. When he is not taking in a performance or exhibition at Raleigh Little Theatre or Arts NC State, you can find Charles subbing as a saxophonist with the North Carolina Symphony or singing with his wife as a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church choir.
How are you personally engaged in the arts?
In addition to my professional work in the arts, I play music and sing. My main instrument is the saxophone and I’m a regular sub with the NC Symphony (the next time I’m playing with them is for the Ben Folds concert at Koka Booth). My wife and I both sing in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church choir. We see a lot of performances, mostly of music and theater, and regularly visit our local museums.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“I’ve enjoyed my time on the Friends of the Gregg Museum board, and since I’m the new chair, I’ve been asked to join the FANS board. I think that NC State has built an impressive arts program, and I’m excited to learn more about the future and how I can help.”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“I think that arts programs are essential in building a compassionate, connected community on a university campus and beyond. This is one of the few areas in a society where people can come together, regardless of their background or political persuasion, to wrestle with questions of humanity, culture and values.”
John Robinson-Miller, IV
Linda Satterfield
Linda Satterfield has enjoyed a 30-year career in marketing and communications. She is also an active volunteer in the region and served as on the Contemporary Art Museum’s (CAM) board for ten years. Linda developed marketing a communications plans for many arts organizations including the North Carolina Arts Council, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Spoleto Festival, and the Gregg Museum of Art & Design. Linda and her husband are also art collectors, primarily by North Carolina artists.
Why did you choose to join the Arts NC State Board of Advisors?
“I was truly honored to be asked to join the FANS board. And considering my previous support of the Gregg Museum and NC State LIVE’s performances, there was no way I could say no!”
In your opinion, what value does Arts NC State bring to the campus and greater communities?
“I could not imagine living in a community that did not have strong arts programming. Simply said, art, in all its forms, makes us human.”
Roby Sawyers
Jeanne Stallings
Becky Thompson
Sabrina Hurtado, Student Representative
Misty Rubio-Bustamante, Student Representative
Ex-Officio
Rich Holly, Executive Director for the Arts
Peyton Stokley, Director of Development