President – Leah Jakusovszky

I’m a lifelong artist who is devoted to the creative process!  Originally from San Jose, California — our family took the great leap north and moved to Beaverton, Oregon in 2021.  I quickly found VGA and was warmly welcomed, starting out as a Gallery Assistant. In this past year, I’ve taken an interest in gallery operations and served as Recording Secretary.   I have a background which includes administration, graphics, marketing, human resources, arts education, and volunteer coordination.  The most gratifying “work” for me (other than painting!) has been meeting new people and getting to know them.  I believe in art, not as just a commodity or product, but as an essential form of expression and way of life.

1^st Vice President – Lane Clem

I have thoroughly enjoyed almost ten years as a VGA member. During that time I have been the Cashier for a while and the Treasurer for a while. Recently I stepped into the role of interim president after the resignation of the previous president.

2^nd Vice President/Grants Chair – Sally Boyd

I am a native Oregonian and have lived in the Pacific Northwest most of my adult life. I have always considered myself to be a creative who sometimes creates art. I have been a member of VGA for ~8 years and during that time have become a jack-of-all-trades for several roles at the gallery. I continue to be interested in being a contributing member of an organization which supports the greater good, with less emphasis on self promotion and more on community building and engagement supporting artists and creatives alike. 

Membership Secretary –  Jean Yarger

I am an emerging artist and author who has been experimenting and developing my skills in watercolor and writing since 2020.  Upon retirement, following a career in music education and co-founding two bio-tech companies, my interests returned to my garden and the arts. 

One of the first things I did upon moving to Portland in 2022 was to seek out an art community in the area. I was thrilled to find The Village Gallery of Arts. The VGA mission, Learn, Create, Share, spoke my language. Being part of an organization that promotes art and makes it accessible to everyone in the community is important to me.

I am honored to be nominated for Membership Chair and look forward to sharing the VGA mission with the Portland  

Treasurer – Susan Amacher

I joined Village Gallery of Arts in the summer of 2022 as a community volunteer and became treasurer shortly afterwards.  I am a recent retiree who has lived in Cedar Mill for 22+ years.  I like being involved in my community and admire the works at the gallery.

I worked as an accountant for a local utility in Portland prior to retiring.  I hope to continue to be on the board as treasurer to serve and learn more about art.

Recording Secretary – Diane Ramic

Since the pandemic, much of my interaction and sales have been online-only, and I’d like to change that by having my work in a physical public location, and actually being out in a gallery setting where I can speak to those interested in art.  My media are watercolor, digital art. I am particularly interested i birds, paleontology, astronomy, science fiction, and fantasy.