Thanks to funding from the Washington State Arts Commission through an arts integration grant, the North Central Educational District interviewed nine artists from around the North Central Washington region about their paths to becoming artists, how art can be meaningfully integrated into all school subjects, and additional advice for students and educators. Learn more about what Arts Integration is in our blog post.
Acting and Theater: Jane Orme
Jane Orme has been a resident of Winthrop, Washington for close to 40 years, having had a long teaching career at Liberty Bell High School from which she retired in 2013. Jane taught English, history, and various electives, including drama classes, each one culminating in a full stage production. She estimates that during those teaching years, she probably directed at least 35 junior high plays, at times directing 2 plays during the same school year.
Art and Design: Perri Lynch Howard
Perri Howard is a multi-disciplinary artist and community-based art planner, creatively engaging the public through original artworks and setting a powerful stage for multiple voices through art master plans. Perri’s work uses painting, drawing, sculpture and sound as means to explore the relationship between human perception and sense of place.
Ceramics: Fran Palkovic
Fran Palkovic is one of the instructors for Introduction to Art, Three Dimensional Design, Ceramics, and Art Survey Modern Art classes at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. He has been teaching at Big Bend for 23 years, and he’s a proud member of The Seattle and Moses Lake Art Museums, The Washington and National Teacher’s Associations, and The College Art and Foundations in Art and Theory Associations.
Dance and Theater: Missi Smith
Missi Smith has been the Executive Director at The Merc Playhouse for seven years. Prior to that, she was on the board of directors for a number of years. In her time at The Merc, she has directed, choreographed, and acted in a number of plays. Missi grew up in Indiana where she trained and performed in dance and musical theater. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in English before finding her way to Washington in 2004.
Graphic Design: Mary Big Bull-Lewis
Mary Big Bull-Lewis was born & raised in Wenatchee, WA. She is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribe in Washington State – from Moses, Entiat, and Wenatchi bands & a descendant of the Blackfoot Tribe in Brocket, Alberta, Canada. Her vision for Wenatchi Wear was a modern spin on Native American art while keeping the traditions preserved and sharing important historic stories.
Mariachi & Folkloric Dance: Elvia Lima Espinoza
Elvia Lima Espinoza is a paraeducator at Pioneer Middle School in Wenatchee, WA. When she was 12 years old, her family moved to the Wenatchee Valley from Mexico. She was enrolled at Pioneer Middle School and was pleased to find the mariachi dance program that allowed her to connect to her culture and heritage. Today, Elvia teaches the class herself and shares the love of mariachi and folkloric dance with students in the Wenatchee School District.