Stacey Ray
(she/her/hers)
Executive Director
stacey@lanearts.org
Stacey Ray joined Lane Arts Council in November 2016, bringing over ten years of experience in arts management and administration. Stacey served for several art galleries, the Center for Community Arts & Cultural Policy, and as Arts and Exhibits Director for Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU). She also served with Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), ArtCity Eugene, and as a board member for Integrated Arts. Stacey has a MS in Arts Management (focus in Community Arts) and a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. She has a BFA in Studio Art, and BA in Art History from Montana State University. Stacey practices her creativity through her sketchbooks, guitar, and participating in local arts happenings.
Eric Braman
(they/them)
Program Director
eric@lanearts.org
Eric Braman joined Lane Arts Council in June 2017, bringing experience in the performing arts and program management. They held positions at the University of Oregon in Experiential Education & Prevention Initiatives, Sexual Violence Prevention & Education, and University Housing; served two years with AmeriCorps at Chemeketa Community College and Campfire USA, Alaska Council; and has led, written, and performed with the NW10 Festival, Rehearsals for Life theatre troupe, and local poetry collectives. Eric has completed trainings with the Mandala Center for Change (Theatre of the Oppressed), Second City Chicago (Comedic Improv), and Young Audiences (Teaching Artist Studio). Eric earned their Master of Nonprofit Management from UofO and BA in Theatre Performance and Creative Writing from Western Michigan University. Eric finds their greatest creativity in writing, performance, theatre making, and collaborative leadership.
Ben Minnis
(he/him/his)
Arts Education Program Coordinator
ben@lanearts.org
Ben Minnis is joining Lane Arts Council, bringing with him a background in both the arts and education. Originally from Des Moines, IA, he received a BFA in Theatre Performance from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. After working in at the Huron Playhouse in Ohio and the Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia, he moved to Eugene in 2004. He spent the next 15 years as a Teacher/Pedagogical Coordinator with the Co-op Family Center at the University of Oregon. In 2017, he received a graduate certificate in Pedagogical Coordination in the Reggio-Emilia Approach from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. He has presented his material-based work with children at regional and national conferences and served for 5 years on the Early Childhood Education Advisory Council at Lane Community College. Ben continues to develop himself as an artist through his work in ceramic sculpture, acting and playwriting.
Kari Welch
(she/her/hers)
Development and Communications Coordinator
kari@lanearts.org
Kari joined Lane Arts Council in November 2020 with a BA in Theater and Dance from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. Her professional career includes working with a number of nonprofits including YMCA of Greater Seattle, Washington State Arts Alliance, Very Little Theatre and, most recently, Wellsprings Friends School. An actor, director and choreographer, Kari interned at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and has performed around the country with various theater companies. Upon moving to Eugene in 2011, she worked with Creative Exchange, a resident teaching artist company of Lane Arts Council at that time. She has frequented the local stages of Oregon Contemporary Theatre and Very Little Theatre.
Jessica Watson
(she/her/hers)
ArtWalk and Events Coordinator
artwalk@lanearts.org
Jessica Watson is Lane Arts Council’s First Friday ArtWalk Coordinator. Jessica has been coordinating the ArtWalk since 2008. She graduated with Cum Laude honors in 2009, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, and a Bachelor’s of Art in Art History from the University of Oregon. Jessica also currently works at Karin Clarke Gallery. Jessica enjoys many creative outlets, which include sewing (especially dresses), oil painting, gardening and scrapbooking.
Dean Rees
(he/him/his)
Finance Coordinator
finance@lanearts.org
Dean Rees joined Lane Arts Council in April 2022, bringing over 27 years’ experience in non-profit accounting. A native Oregonian he graduated from the University of Oregon and has worked for Holt International Children’s Services and India Partners as well as volunteering time serving as treasurer for
two other fraternal organizations. Dean currently is also an Education Assistant at Guy Lee Elementary in Springfield.
Claire Graman
(she/her/hers)
Arts Education Assistant
claire@lanearts.org
Claire Graman joins Lane Arts Council with a background in education. Through her graduate program at University of Oregon, Claire developed and taught courses independently and with tenured faculty. She has volunteered in the community through Ophelia’s Place, teaching flipbook animation, video game programming, and Dungeons and Dragons to teen girls. In 2020, she received her PhD in English focusing on Cinema Studies, with a dissertation about feminism in screwball comedy. Claire also works part-time as an Academic Coach/Instructional Specialist at Lane Community College. In her free time, Claire enjoys books, movies, video games, gardening, and hiking. Her artistic interests include creative writing, painting, and collaging.