Andrea Early-Coen- Acting Board Chair
Andrea hails from the Upper Midwest, but moved to Salida in 2007, and loves being a part of this small-town, creative, vibrant community. As a musician, Andrea started out studying classical viola at the age of 8, but in her early teen years was introduced to traditional music, and was hooked! On the inheritance of her grandfather’s fiddle, her days as a fiddle player began, and she has never looked back. She has been playing traditional fiddle for over 30 years in contra dance and old time string bands, performing, teaching workshops and playing for dances throughout the US and internationally. She plays in several local bands, is also a dance caller and clogger, and has worked with youth as an artist-in-residence in elementary schools.
Andrea’s day job, when not moonlighting as a musician, is working as the Executive Director of Guidestone Colorado, a Chaffee County-based nonprofit focused on agriculture education, Farm to School, food systems and supporting the next generation of farmers and ranchers. She is thrilled to bring her combined love and experience of music, education and nonprofit management together as a member of the Articipate Board.
Ryan O’ Brien – Board member
Ryan trained in traditional drawing and painting and currently develops brands and products in the outdoor industry.
Beth Johnston – Secretary
Born in Idaho, Beth has always known she belonged in the mountains. As the creative founder of Yellow Feather Photography, Beth, has established a career that includes both her love of the outdoors and for people. In school she studied fine art theory and photography, including painting, drawing and technical aspects of lighting, and Beth describes herself as a self-motivated learner. More recently, she taught creative photography and a fundamentals class at Colorado Mountain College. Serving on the board of Articipate has been incredibly rewarding for Beth as she wants to help integrate the educational mission of the program into the larger community. Beth loves hiking, cycling, rock-climbing, painting, drawing, and gardening.
Jill Davis – Board Member
At a young age Jill Davis knew her heart would eventually find itself living in Colorado. Born in Trenton, Michigan and re-located to Kansas during her teenage years Jill began her love of the outdoors through fieldtrips, vacations, camping and rock climbing with friends. As a college student, Jill chose to study education as a mode to share the wonders of nature with others. After graduating from Kansas State University with an education degree, Jill was awarded an opportunity to study abroad and spent a semester traveling in Europe and working with the University of Amsterdam. Upon returning to the United States she was offered a position teaching middle school science in Littleton, Colorado. After 4 years on the Front Range Jill took the leap to change lifestyles and head for the mountains of Salida. After several part time jobs to make ends meet, Jill scored a position with the Buena Vista Public Schools where she currently teaches a variety of high school science courses and health. Jill actively volunteers for the Colorado Division of Wildlife teaching teachers to use the environment as a classroom. Playing in the outdoors continues to pull at Jill’s heartstrings and she can be found rafting the gems of the west, and traveling across the many nearby trails by bike or foot with her two dogs and husband, Articipate co-founder Bones.
Cara High – Board Member
Cara loves many things including music, art, dancing, kids and giving back to the community where she is proud to live and raise the next generation of ‘good people’.
Jessica Wierzbinski – Treasurer
Jessica moved to Salida in 2010 in the hopes (rightful, as it turns out) of giving her four sons a childhood rich in outdoor adventures and small town community. Discovering a vibrant culture of artists and creatives was an unforeseen bonus. Jessica works locally as a property manager, though when she can afford the pay decrease, she also functions as a freelance writer and college writing instructor. She spends every minute she can in the mountains hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and floating the Arkansas River with her kids and friends.
Born in England, studied at Kingston Art School. I have worked as an artist for 25 years, exhibiting in galleries both in England and America. Multiple commissions both private and commercial, including the United Nations in New York, a two-story installation for the National Toy and Miniature museum, Kansas City. My work has been published in many forms including imited edition prints, books, cards and home decor collections.
It wasn’t until we moved here that l became aware of the many talented, creative people in this small community with a passion to share and enhance people’s lives. I feel so fortunate to be raising a child in this town. Nature has always fed my soul and been my main source of inspiration for my work.
