Board and Staff
Board Chair
Jean Cronin Connolly, both a fine art photographer and a painter, is originally from the Boston area. After studying at the University of Massachusetts and Boston University she taught art in the Boston area, went on to publish an arts magazine, “Arts Around Boston,” and then became the Executive Director of “Arts First,” a service organization which heralded art teachers and students as well as provided resources to practicing artists in the Boston area. Before moving to New London, New Hampshire, Jean was also the chair of the Needham Cultural Council which distributed funds and created community events such as “New Year’s Needham” and the Spring Arts Festival, winning the Governor’s Award for Leadership. Jean continues to explore her art while also working with other artists and arts organizations in the Lake Sunapee Region to ensure the arts are a vital part of the community.
General Organization
Business and Governance Chair
Susie Lowe-Stockwell is the past Executive Director of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. After receiving a Bachelor in Arts Management, she pursued many creative endeavors before taking the leading role at the NH League. She initiated and executed many projects including a capital campaign, the opening of several galleries throughout the state, and NH Open Doors.
Treasurer and Scholarship Co-Chair
Debbie Lang is a retired Financial/Administrative Professional with significant domestic and international experience at leading companies in financial services, manufacturing, and distribution, including VP-IT/Finance and VP-Corporate Profitability at Bank of New York Mellon, VP-Finance/Administration N. Glantz & Son Inc. Brooklyn, NY, and President/Owner of Lang Food Enterprises, Inc- Westfield, NJ. She currently resides in Sutton, NH, volunteering with several non-profit organizations as well as the Center for the Arts, where she serves as treasurer, including Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust and the Sutton Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
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Secretary
Susan Forest (Lily), a retired lawyer, practiced general corporate law, with a focus on
public securities transactions, at Sullivan & Worcester LLP in Boston. She attended Bates
College (BA English) and Columbia Law School (JD). Susan received her certification for a 500 hour Hatha yoga teacher training in 2009. In addition to yoga, she enjoys hiking and skiing. She has been a collector of vintage clothing since 1981, when she started wearing her mother’s and grandmother’s clothing in
college, and is a self-taught fashion historian. She loves attending live music and theater.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts Committee Board Member
Alison Vernon started painting in the late 1980's. Over the years, her painting style and technique have evolved. She quickly learned to appreciate the texture and richness of painting with palette knives. Alison’s use of knives in combination with her vibrant colors and fresh subject matter has made Alison a favorite of private as well as corporate collectors.
Visual Arts Committee Co-Chair/
Board Liaision
Rick Stockwell has been photographing New England landscapes for 35 years. He started as a painter using photographs for his subject matter , then turned to digital photography. Rick, a retired middle school guidance counselor, is a graduate from Antioch/ New England with a masters in psychology. He has work in many galleries and is a juried member of the League of NH craftsman. He lives in South Sutton, NH with his wife, Susie Lowe- Stockwell where he pursues his other passion, a bonsai collection of over 250 trees.
Visual Arts Committee Co-Chair
Jay Fitzpatrick is a photographer who is a captivating blend of vision, science, and collaboration with nature.
Jay's philosophy of "making pictures" rather than simply "taking pictures" is evident in his unique approach to capturing the world around him. His landscapes transcend mere subjects, offering viewers a glimpse into realms beyond the senses, while his vibrant colors and impeccable compositions elevate each image to a work of art.
Visual Arts Committee Board Member
Scott Horsley received an MFA in drawing and painting from UCSD and an MFA in painting from RISD. Scott teaches primarily drawing, painting and the Capstone course for graduating seniors in studio art and graphic design. Before coming to CSC, he taught at the University of Florida and Weber State University in Utah. Scott makes drawing and paintings that examine how technologies and communication mediums throughout history have exerted control, overtly or subtly, over human choices.
Visual Arts Committee Board Member
Gary Summerton is an award-winning Equestrian and Family Portrait Artist, having won several awards for his work through Professional Photographers Association of America. Gary is a graduate of New Hampshire Institute of Art's Fine Art Photography Certificate Program. Born and raised in the Boston area. Gary now lives in Sunapee Harbor, NH with his wife Cheryl and their two children Cameron and Morgan. Cameron is a nationally ranked Nordic ski jumper. Morgan competes in Athletic Equestrian League and loves to take care of horses. Gary has recently started riding.
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Chair
Dr. Wally Borgen is a Professor Emerita from Concordia College-NY and presently an Adjunct Professor in Public Speaking at Colby-Sawyer College. She has been singing, dancing, and performing in musical theater since the age of 8, both in professional and community theaters. In 2007, Wally organized a group of friends to perform a Vaudeville Show as a FUNdraiser for The Fells. The troupe continues to offer themselves to not-for-profit organizations, raising over $35,000 so far. During the past three years, she has written and directed two musicals, “The Best of Burt (Bacharach that is)” and “The Songs and Tales of WW1” for the Sunapee Kearsarge Intercommunity Theater (SKIT).
Performing Arts Committee
Thomas Tuthill, a trained and professional teacher, taught classical languages and English at a number of Prep Schools in St. Louis, MI, Westchester, NY and New Hampshire. He is a professional organist/pianist, harpsichordist, singer and actor. In recent years, he has performed in many Sunapee Kearsarge Intercommunity Theater (SKIT) productions and "It's Vaudeville" to raise funds for not-for-profit organizations in the region.
Performing and Youth Arts Committees
Angela Tarleton is co-founder and artistic director of Kearsarge Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Warner, NH. Mrs. Tarleton has over 37 years of experience. On a College and Conservatory level she has worked in every medium of the performing arts. She understands the performance process from beginning to end. Being equally Actress, Dancer, Singer, Choreographer, Director, Playwright and Musician (also an accomplished flutist), she fits into any mold needed. She has taught acting to dancers and dance to actors she works well with Directors, Musical Directors, and even the Technical Crew. She has designed lighting for her Dance Concerts and costumes as well. She is a “Renaissance Woman” in her own right. When teaching, directing, or choreographing she maintains a strong focus of activity, creating a sense of unity and purpose that “gets the job done!” She has a dedication to excellence in training and performance and she continues to do the same here in New Hampshire at the Kearsarge Conservatory of the Performing Arts and the Center for the Arts.
Performing and Youth Arts Committees
Kevin Tarleton is currently President and co-founder of Kearsarge Conservatory of the Performing Arts (KCPA) in Warner, NH. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing. He has performed in and produced hundreds of shows since 1973, the year he began his “thespian” career, at Plymouth State College. He and his wife, Angela, opened their first studio in 1982 at Fort Worth, Texas, named “Miss Angela’s School of Dance;” they then incorporated it into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 1990. Kevin is very active in many arts organizations in the area with the Center for the Arts being a major player. KCPA produces numerous shows at multiple venues throughout the region with a special emphasis on two major events: The Spring Show/Ballet and original Christmas shows in December.
Literary Arts
Literary Arts Committee Chair
The Center for the Arts is currently recruiting for this role, please reach out to info@cfanh.org if you are interested. For more information on board roles and requirements, click here.
Literary Arts Committee
The Center for the Arts is currently recruiting for this role, please reach out to info@cfanh.org if you are interested. For more information on board roles and requirements, click here.
Youth Arts and Education
Board Member & School Liaison
Jean Kjellman has spent her career in the non-profit world, working in Development at Dartmouth College, the Maine Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and at a Private School in Portland, ME. She also held administrative assistant roles at Cape Elizabeth High School and at Babson College School of Executive Education. And after retiring, she volunteered at Nativity Preparatory School in Boston. With an interest in the Arts and in Education, she looks forward to working with the CFA on youth projects in her new home, the Lake Sunapee Region.
Board Member
Leigh Tappen is a lifelong learner, world traveler and outdoorsperson, Leigh has spent many years preparing teaching and learning environments for all ages. She designs activities for fun, authentic, hands-on learning, with a focus on individualized instruction and positive
interaction. She is passionate about nurturing the creative energy in all members of the
community for healthier and happier living.
Scholarships
Scholarship Co-Chair
Dr. Susan Elliott is a Professor Emeritus from Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, and is currently residing in New London, NH. Her background reflects a wide array of projects in Language Arts, Literacy, Gifted and Talented Education, as well as the education of the Learning Disabled. She is the Scholarship Chair of The Center for the Arts: Lake Sunapee Region, a volunteer at the Fells Historic site in Newbury, NH, member of the Children Literacy Foundation, and a former board member of The TLC Family Resource Center in Claremont. Her interests are the development of community arts, youth, and scholarship.
Honorary Board Member
Sandra B. Wells, a native of Haddonfield, NJ, was a retail buyer and antique dealer before becoming treasurer and financial manager of Wells Appel Land Strategies in NJ and Philadelphia PA. North Sutton, New Hampshire is now her home where she became an early volunteer at The Fells Estate in Newbury spending time in the gardens, creating and managing many of the fund raising events, and serving as the chairman of the board. She has also served as treasurer of her church and president of the New London Garden Club, and continues to contribute to many community events.
Curating Committee
Visual Arts Co-Chair
Barbara Hunting is a resident of New London, New Hampshire and is a Graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. and Education Certificate. She was a member and president of the Women’s Committee of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, along with other organizations in Michigan. Currently Barbara is a member of and volunteer for The John Hay Estate (The Fells), Junior League, and many other non-profits in her community.
Theater Arts Community Liaison
Janet Miller Haines who is currently living in New London, NH, and is originally from NJ, received degrees in Biological Science and Journalism from Radford University in Virginia. After teaching, she began her career at Bell System, starting as a technical writer and moving to AT&T on the Divesture planning team in 1982, and retiring from AT&T as a National Account Manager in 1991. Since moving full-time to NH in 2005, Janet has been active in a number of organizations including Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, Project Sunapee, The Fells and recently retired as Chair of Northern Stage Theater.
Honorary Board Member
Bethany Balford is a former court clinic social worker from Groveland, MA, currently resides in New London, and is an active member of the First Congregational Church Wilmot. She serves on the board of Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners as well as the CFA. Her love of the arts and her dedication to community support through action has been a driving force in her life. She is excited to contribute to the CFA’s mission, improving the quality of life in the region.
Staff
Executive Director
Dena Stahlheber is a highly experienced professional with a Master's degree in business administration and a track record of over 20 years working in both business and nonprofit sectors. She possesses a systems thinking mindset, enabling her to grasp the broader scope of organizations and their integration within the larger community.
Her lifelong passion for the arts is evident in her extensive involvement. At the age of three she began her love for dance that lasted over 13 years. Later in life, her global travels have allowed her to appreciate and study art history in diverse locations, including France, Spain, Italy, China, and Korea. Dena has showcased her creativity through various artistic pursuits such as illustrating a children's book she authored and writing another book. In her leisure time, she indulges in playing the piano and guitar.
Dena's expertise extends beyond business, as she is a seasoned professional in communications, artistry, and facilitation. Her passion for the arts and writing is unwavering, and she actively collaborates with other community members to create positive change and enhance her local area.
Events Manager
Elizabeth Courant, our Events Manager, comes to us with a BFA (3D/Metal Design) from Ohio Wesleyan University, as well she has a MBA from Simmons College. A strategic leader with the unique ability to balance both business skills & creative development, excellence to innovate, develop and market, she has a lengthy career designing home, gift, tabletop and garden decor for over 35 years. She is the Director of Product Development & Design for The Galway Company, a licensed focused wholesaler, selling to large retailers. She is a full time resident of Newbury for the past 7 years and a summer resident for 25+ years, even coming to the lake as a child, with much family near by.
Marketing Coordinator
Robynn Glockling is a nonprofit professional with experience in higher education and the performing arts. She completed her BMus in Canada and various language and business certifications while studying and working abroad. Making the arts more accessible has always been an important part of her work. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family (human and canine), culinary exploration, and gardening.
Consultant
Jennifer Stark resides in Newport, NH, where she is currently the Marketing Coordinator at Sugar River Bank and is a Simmons University graduate with a B.A. in graphic design. She has been the Art Director at Kearsarge Magazine and Kid Stuff Magazine, both regionally recognized magazines. A regular instructor at the Library Arts Center (LAC) in Newport she has also exhibited at LAC and AVA Gallery & Art Center in group shows. Her passion is art and the process of creativity and how it is a building block to self-discovery and healthy communities.
Administrative Intern
Sarah Sergio is a 24 year old, residing in a small town in the Tennessee mountains. She is currently pursuing an associate's degree in accounting at Southern New Hampshire University. She will complete her associate's degree this spring and will begin her path toward earning her bachelor's degree afterward. She feels she is gaining invaluable experience working as an administrative intern at the Center of the Arts Lake Sunapee Region, where she developing essential skills to use in her future career.
Administrative Intern
Allie Warner is a psychology student with a passion for helping others and exploring the human mind. As a mom, nature lover, and aspiring nonprofit founder, she aims to combine her love for psychology and community service to make a meaningful impact. She is currently working as an Administrative Assistant at the Center for the Arts while pursuing her bachelor’s degree. In her free time, she enjoys writing, kayaking, and spending time with her family.
Data Intern
Roneque Redhi has been working in IT for over four years and is currently enrolled at SNHU to pursue a degree in Computer Science aiming towards Project management. She has always been tech savvy, but now wants to switch out and work more on the communication side of technology. She enjoys family time and the theater (musicals). Fun fact: she loves Korean food.
Graphic Design Intern
Sarah Zink is a student at Colby-Sawyer College majoring in graphic design with a double-minor in contemporary marketing and studio art. Pursuing her love for art and design, she strives to show diversity in her work, expanding from photography to other mediums incorporating hand and digital drawings, paintings, ink-on-paper, and web/social media design. After her expected graduation in 2025 with a BFA, she plans to move forward in the graphic design field with her heart set on exploring wider ranges of subjects and moving towards higher levels of exploration to contribute to the world and design community.
Social Media Intern
Justine Dixon is an artist, VA, and lover of games, with a goal to bring joy in anything they do! Learning fast, but staying patient is a focus, with the aim to get better and stronger at it. No matter where or what, the goal is always to show the best work.
Social Media Intern
Mike Gonzalez is a recovering awkward storyteller that would always rush to the punch lines of jokes. Who now knows how to tell his story and others on social media by using graphic design and writing.
Website Design Intern
LaTrisha Appling is currently attending SNHU pursuing a degree in IT with a concentration in Project Management, and a second degree in Accounting. She currently works as a project manager, and a website design intern. She enjoys volunteering with the local recreation center organizing the local elementary school teams for the basketball program. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and baking.
Website Design Intern
Shā Lager is pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Data Analytics at SNHU. Alongside her studies, she combines her passion for sustainability, creativity, and technology in her role at the Center for the Arts, where she helps build and refine the Center’s online presence. She loves her home in New Mexico, where she enjoys tending to her many plants, spending time with her cat, and reading. Her attention to detail and love for the arts drive her commitment to creating a digital space that truly reflects the vibrant spirit of the arts community.
Writing Intern
Sky Blanton is a communications major focusing on professional writing, currently pursuing her degree from Southern New Hampshire University. She has a passion for content creation and aspire to work in publishing or social media management. When she's not busy with her studies, she loves reading, spending time with her husband, and spoiling their cat.
Writing Intern
Nadia Hasan is an author, advocate, and crisis counselor from Detroit, Michigan. She is currently pursuing a degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.