Board & Staff

Board of Directors

David Paul

President

Retired school administrator. Prior board service includes Council for Exceptional Children, Washington State Special Education Coalition, and Maritime Heritage Foundation.

Jay Krienitz

Vice President

Shoreline restoration fund program manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with a strong background in nonprofit administration and organizational development. He lives outside of Olympia with his three kids and wife in the forest.

Beth Schluter

Treasurer

Director of Finance and Scholarships for the South Puget Sound Community College Foundation. Lifelong lover of art history, craft and folk arts.

Mary Soltman

Board Member

Retired, Dean of Humanities and Communications at South Puget Sound Community College.

Willie Smyth

Board Member

Retired Washington State Folklorist.

Jane Stone

Board Member

Retired Professor of Art History and Studio Art, South Puget Sound Community College.

Lara Tukarski

Board Member

Scrimshander, South Sound FieldSTEM Coordinator at the Pacific Education Institute.

Ellen F Zito

Board Member

WA Department of Children,Youth and Families: early childhood education policy, former preschool teacher/purveyor of wonder.

Kuen Kuen Spichiger

Board Member

Program Specialist at Folk and Traditional Arts Program, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission; Artist/Educator/Illustrator of Kuen Art Shop LLC.

Annie Barrett

Board Member

Self-employed wellness coach and yoga instructor, supporter of traditional music and community arts.

Tamara Kubacki

Board Member

Folklorist with experience in museum education and cultural event programming; grief educator and coach at Listening to Grief.

Office Staff

Hillary Tully, Executive Director

Hillary is a writer and folklorist originally from Tallahassee, Florida. She brings experience in arts administration, communications, and education and she holds a Master’s in Folklore from the University of Oregon. With a love of folklife and a passion for supporting local arts and artists, she joined Arbutus in October 2020 and is excited to carry forward its mission.

Doreen McAvity, Program Administrator

Doreen McAvity is a longtime Olympia resident and artist managing our class calendar, coordinating with instructors, posting classes to the catalog, and more. Doreen has taken many classes at Arbutus herself, and enjoys the creative energy, conversations, and camaraderie she finds in our studios.

Julie Stutzman, Marketing and Events Coordinator

Julie is a photographer and designer with a background in higher education administration. She brings to Arbutus her love for visual storytelling and passion for creating community.

Bethany Noviello, Registrar

Bethany supports students and community members with their class enrollment needs.

Callie Wood, Accounting Assistant

Callie Wood is our longest-serving office staffer! They handle our financials and support HR needs.

_______________________________________________________________

View our Woodworking, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, and other Arts Instructor Staff here.