Meet our Instructors
Richard Bertram is inspired to pass on his knowledge of
hydroponics systems so others can enjoy the benefits of
growing their own food. He is a Master Gardener who has
access to fresh greens all year round from the extensive
hydroponics system he built and maintains in his home.
Colleen Blackwood is an addict of quilting of all forms and
has been teaching methods and techniques for a very long
time....40 years! She lives in Pendleton and teaches at the
annual Sisters Quilters Affaire in Sisters, Oregon every July.
Marissa Carlos is a high school student and current intern
at the PCA. She is a talented and dedicated young artist
who has had her work entered and acknowledged in many
regional art shows. She is excited to share her creative skills
with her peers this term.
Arlen Clark is a self-taught painter producing works for
nearly 40 years. His fantastic portraits have been displayed
in a featured exhibit in the East Oregonian Gallery. He uses
bright colors, exaggeration, distortion and imagination to
express his ideas.
Sam Collett currently lives and works in Joseph Oregon.
In addition to a wide range of formal art education he has
more than 20 years of teaching experience. His beautiful
artwork has been exhibited around the country and can be
previewed online at samcollettfineart.com.
Kim Chavez recently graduated from EOU with a Master
of Arts in Teaching and currently teaches third grade at
Stanfield Elementary. Kim began volunteering at the Arts
Center in 2014 and started teaching art classes shortly after.
Charlie Herrington is semi-retired and working at the
Pendleton Music Company. His enthusiasm for music
led him to the PCA, where he’s brought his 25 years of
experience to share with our beginner adult guitar groups.
He’s a big fan of improvisational music.
Mike Kellison is a member of the Oregon Music Teachers
Association and the Music Teachers National Association.
After receiving a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern
Oregon University with a focus in Jazz and Commercial
music for the guitar, he now lives in Hermiston where he
teaches music lessons on guitar, piano, and bass.
Jenni Krigbaum is an art-dabbler, using multiple mediums
and styles. She enjoys the process of creating, learning
new things, and working with children. She sees art as an
important component of life, from fun to healing.
Roberta Lavadour has always been a lover of art and
books. When she’s not busy at the Arts Center, Roberta
makes artist’s books and bindings that are widely exhibited
and collected by museums and university libraries. You can
view her work at robertalavadour.com.
Nikii Murtaugh learned to knit as a teenager in Michigan
and has been doing it for the last 50 years. At this point,
she’s a well-known knitting resource amongst her friends
and beyond- she often helps with individual questions and
regularly tests knit patterns for designers.
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pendletonarts.org • 541-278-9201
Bill Peal has been an avid photographer and teacher for
the last decade, after a long career teaching agricultural
science. His photographic work reveals a reverence for our
regional landscape and through teaching he gets to share
his love and knowledge of the region with others.
Kate Peck has worked in the Early Childhood Education
field in some form or another for the past 22 years. She
currently shares her time teaching classes and working here
at the Arts Center as the Education & Outreach Assistant
and coordinating various community events that advocate
strong and healthy youth and families.
Marie Pratuch learned pottery from Michael Booth
at BMCC and is now ready to share her talents with
others. Follow Marie’s work on her Instagram page
ThistleDewNicelyCeramics.
Brian Purnell has been working with young artists for
more than 30 years in schools and alternative education
programs. He’s interested in what happens when you stop
worrying about what something’s going to look like and
simply explore the process of Making.
Jean Reiher started beading 20 years ago and has been
teaching beading classes for the past 10 years. She has
a passion for beads and jewelry, and she shares her
enthusiasm with her students.
Lori Sams received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio
Art with an emphasis in Ceramics from Chico State
University in northern California. She has called Pendleton
home since 2010. She serves as the Director of the Betty
Feves Memorial Gallery at BMCC and loves being involved
with the local arts scene.
Penelope Scambly Schott is a past winner of an Oregon
Book Award in Poetry and many other prizes. Her most
recent book is HOW I BECAME AN HISTORIAN. She lives
in Portland and Dufur, Oregon where she teaches an annual
poetry workshop.
Andrew Sykes is a working painter who delights in the
properties of oil, acrylic and watercolor. He received his
Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and printmaking from
Cornish College of the Arts in 2004 and lived in Seattle
for several years before relocating to Pendleton. Andrew
believes that finding joy in the process of art making is more
important than the product.
Peg Willis has taught music for over 50 years and has
directed several performing groups, including The Pick ‘n’
Bow Company, Shenanigans and Mulligan Stew. Her groups
have performed extensively around the region and as far
away as Washington DC and Ireland. Find out more about
Peg at www.pegwillis.com.