OGDEN CONTEMPORARY ARTS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Cam McLeod is a commercial and editorial photographer whose work reflects mountain culture, adventurous lifestyles and authentic experiences. His imagery is characterized by its tactile quality, cinematic style with vivid color profiles, lifelike depth and an authentic perspective that equally captures stimulating and subtle movements. His body of work, which extends from adventure photography to environmental portraiture, hinges on narrative experience and McLeod innates ability to build complex storylines from a single frame
Cori Anderson is a Utah native, having grown up Park City and eventually migrating to the Ogden Valley. The years that Cori spent earning two Bachelors degrees in Art History and French Language from the University of Utah, was time well spent. If she learned anything, it was that existing in an art-rich environment makes a world of difference in one's attitude, perspective and approach to life. She holds certifications in fundraising and proposal writing, which is the focus of most of her professional and volunteer work.
Cori spent the early days of her career fundraising for non-profits and did a short stint selling death to the dying at a hospice agency in the Salt Lake Area, before landing in her current role at R&O Construction. She spends her work days organizing people, ideas, pictures and words. She spends her free time in the mountains with her husband, toddler and two loveable shelter dogs. Her life philosophy is that the time between worn in and worn out is where the magic happens, so make every day count. Her favorite artist works in all mediums and favors improvised performance art, with an emphasis in exploring emotional reactions to life situations.(She's three and is the absolute joy of her parents' life.)
Eric J. García uses history and a graphic style to create political art that confronts our understanding of the present. Using sculpture, mixed media installations, murals, printmaking and his controversial political cartoons, he aims to challenge his viewers to question sources of power and the whitewashing of history. After receiving his BFA with a minor in Chicano studies from the University of New Mexico, Eric Garcia went on to complete his MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a core member of the printmaking collective, Instituto Gráfico de Chicago, one of the newest members of the Justseeds Cooperative, a part of the emerging Veteran Art Movement, and is a dedicated teaching artist. Garcia has exhibited nationally and his work can be found in the collections of the National Museum of Mexican Art, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Job Titles:
- PR Consultant, Pondview Marketing
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Associate Professor of Theatre at Weber State University
Jessica is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Weber State University and a professional freelance theatre designer. Her work as lighting, sound, and projection designer has taken her to many venues around the country, with diverse projects in theatre, dance, opera, and site-specific installation. New York credits include productions at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club, A.R.T. New York, 59E59, New Opera NYC, and Adjusted Realists. Locally, she frequently works with SB Dance, Salt Lake Acting Company, and Plan B Theatre. Awards include the Design Arts Utah Juror's Award, the Lowe Innovative Teaching Award, the Lindquist Creative Fellowship, and the WSU Outstanding Mentor Award.
Read Bio Kaceelyn Pouttu is an Ogden transplant, born and raised in a small town outside of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She came to Weber State University to pursue an education as well as compete at the collegiate level but has since stayed after falling in love with Ogden's recreational fortune. Kaceelyn received her bachelor's and master's degrees at Weber State University and has pursued a career in public accounting at Eide Bailly. Her work has provided a tax background in a vast array of industries including real estate, state and local, and private equity. Her passion is helping small businesses thrive by overseeing and assisting with what most business owners love to hate, i.e. taxes, and allowing business owners to focus on what matters most - running a successful business. She is excited to start devoting her time to give back to the community she has grown to love and is looking forward to being a part of OCA's growth! In her free time, Kaceelyn can be found running the trails with her puppy, eating out at the many local restaurants Ogden has to offer, or getting in a quick 18 at the Ogden Golf and Country Club.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator
- Administrator for the Hawai'I State Foundation
- Artist
Kasey Lou Lindley is an artist, educator, and art administrator. She received her MFA from the University of Connecticut and her BFA from the Ringling College of Art & Design.
Kasey has exhibited nationally and internationally at venues such as the William Benton Museum of Art in Storrs, CT; SOHO20 Gallery in New York City, NY; Mobius and Proof Gallery in Boston, MA; Honolulu Museum of Art in Honolulu, HI; CUAC in Salt Lake City, UT; Ogden Contemporary Arts in Ogden, UT; Tempus Projects in Tampa, FL; Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL; as well as venues in India, Germany, Turkey, and Croatia.
Kasey has passed her love of the arts on to her students aged 1 to 18+. She has taught for the University of Connecticut, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Donkey Mill Art Center, Ogden Contemporary Arts, Bountiful Davis Art Center, and Salt & Honey Prism Studio.
Kasey has worked as an art administrator for the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and the Donkey Mill Art Center.
Kelly McLeod has worked within Health Care Administration for the past 15 years. Her experience with hands-on project management and implementing operational improvements makes her uniquely qualified as a Producer and Studio Manager. She has been a valuable asset over the years helping raise Cam McLeod Photography production value and streamline the client/creative process. She makes noticeable improvements to production value, client communications, and overall workflow efficiencies.
Mariah is an Ogden born and raised designer who recently graduated from Weber State University with her Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Graphic Design. She utilizes various mediums including printmaking, bookmaking, and digital illustration to create her body of work. While attending Weber State she led the Art Guild, encouraging fellow students in exploring new techniques while promoting their art to the community. She was also a proud Gallery Attendant at the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery.
Job Titles:
- Owner of Mountain West Architects
Mark is the Owner of Mountain West Architects (MWA) in Ogden with over 35 years of experience in a wide array of building types. Mark and his wife Lita, moved to Ogden in 2000 from El Paso, TX, and have fallen in love with the Wasatch Front. Lita teaches special education in the Weber School District.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Olivia Curley is an Ogden resident and corporate and securities attorney with the law firm of Snell & Wilmer LLP. Olivia advises clients on securities compliance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law matters. Olivia was raised in Littleton, Colorado and received her BA and JD from Brigham Young University. Olivia and her husband relocated to Ogden in 2017 and are very active in the outdoors and trails networks in Weber County.
Patrick Ramsay is a queer Utah-based poet and bookseller who was raised along the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake. He earned his B.A. in English & creative writing at Weber State University, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Metaphor Literary Journal. Patrick owns Happy Magpie Book & Quill, an independent pay-what-you-can bookshop in Ogden, where he regularly hosts free events focused on empowering Utah's literary arts community. When he's not hosting bookish events or hiking with his dog Whitman, he works as a marketing manager at a clean-tech startup.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Owner and Creative Designer of Hope & Evolution
Robbin Daffin is the owner and creative designer of Hope & Evolution Flower Studio in the Monarch, located in Ogden, UT. She has nearly 30 years of experience as a florist, visual merchandiser, and stylist.
Over this time Robbin has also worked for non-profits Tracy Aviary and Ronald McDonald House and volunteers for Rape Recovery Center, Utah AIDS Foundation, KUER, and various food banks.
Born in Brigham City and raised in Ogden Robbin recently moved back to Ogden with her wife, Mary. She's lived in New York, the Bay Area, Germany, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento. She comes from a long line of artists and creatives and has instilled this in her artistic children as well.
Taylor Knuth is a lifelong Utah resident who has lived in Ogden for 11 years, having come to Ogden in 2011 to attend Weber State University, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre. Shortly after graduating, Taylor began work for local area nonprofits focused on community engagement and social services. During this time, he completed his Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration in 2018 from Southern Utah University. In addition, Taylor is beginning his third year as a doctoral (Ph.D.) student at the University of Utah in the Education, Culture, & Society Department, studying organizing and activism in communities of Color in Ogden City, Utah.
Recently, Taylor and his husband, Sean, bought a 133-year-old Victorian home on Historic 25th street and have slowly been restoring it to its original condition with their dogs, Ted and George, and their cat, Tina. Taylor is currently the Deputy Director for the Salt Lake City Arts Council, a division of the Economic Development Department of the Salt Lake City Government. He enjoys public service and currently serves on several local boards and commissions including Ogden Contemporary Arts and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah
Read Bio A social entrepreneur, Thaine has an extensive background in real estate acquisitions, development, and management. Most recently redeveloping historic commercial buildings in Ogden's downtown core. Founder (1989) of Fischer Villa Resorts he acquired, developed and operated multiple resort hotel locations including Arizona: Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tucson. Thaine sold the company to ResortQuest(NSE:RZT), Arizona in 1999. In 2006 Thaine and wife Tahna moved to Ogden, Utah and shortly thereafter Fischer Regan Enterprises began joint venturing on the purchase and redevelopment of historic commercial buildings. Using NMTC, HTC and RDA tax credits Fischer Regan Enterprises has successfully redeveloped and stabilized multiple income producing assets. Other career highlights for Thaine was co-founding the Arizona Chapter of Young Entrepreneurs Organization, now EO. Today, Thaine continues to be involved in the Utah Chapter of EO and various non-profit boards benefiting his community.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Chairman of the Ogden City Arts
Todd Oberndorfer is the Arts Outreach Manager & Advisor for WSU's Department of Visual Art & Design. He is also an Adjunct Art Professor at WSU. Todd is the Program Director of Arts in the Parks, a summer outreach program that began in 2010 and offers opportunities for children and their families to explore visual and performing arts through hands-on activities.
Oberndorfer is a founding member of The Banyan Collective media company. He is host of the Nine Rails Arts Podcast and Co-host of Van Sessions at The Monarch (live audience podcast & music series) and the Ogden Outdoor Adventure Show. The Banyan Collective has produced Arts & Adventure podcasts since 2010. Todd Oberndorfer and R Brandon Long, founders of The Banyan Collective, were 2018 Recipients of the "Media Arts" Award at the Ogden City Mayor's Awards in the Arts.
Oberndorfer is Chairperson of the Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee. As an Arts Advocate, he frequently collaborates as a Consultant with Ogden City Arts, Ogden Downtown Alliance, Ogden City Community & Economic Development, and Union Creative Agency. Todd is a Certified Change Leader with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, a professional development leadership program. He was the recipient of the "Arts Advocacy" Award at the 2019 Ogden City Mayor's Awards in the Arts.
Todd is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Administration at Southern Utah University. He holds a BFA in 2D Design from Weber State University and combines social activism and art by addressing issues such as clean air and population growth in his printmaking and graphic design work.
Venessa Castagnoli is the executive director of Ogden Contemporary Arts, a non-profit art organization. Beginning March of 2020, she worked to rebrand, raise funds, and assist in the overall design of the space for OCA's Art Center, with the goal of making art accessible and inclusive for Utah's community. In her role at OCA, she maintains an impressive exhibition schedule, Artist-in-Residence program, developed the Artist Factory, a robust youth education program, and redesigned the Platforms outdoor exhibition space into a sculpture park, which now houses permanent installations. She has experience both as an artist and curator and early in her career created O-Town Arts, a contemporary art collective that was based in Ogden. Venessa's artwork has been shown in the Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Finch Lane Gallery, as well as several state-wide exhibitions and public art settings.