Introducing the Estes Arts District Board of Directors
Co-Chair President, Lars Sage
And is on the Board of the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies, as well. Lars manages the gallery for the Art Center of Estes; he also serves as director for thespian performances. Lars was part of the original group that organized the creation of the Estes Arts District and a member of the first Board. Lars has been committed and involved in the Estes Park art scene over nearly 13 years.
Volunteer ~original founding board member 2015 – 2017, returning member at large now since April 2022, Vice Chair January 2025, Co-Chair October 2025
And is on the Board of the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies, as well. Lars manages the gallery for the Art Center of Estes; he also serves as director for thespian performances. Lars was part of the original group that organized the creation of the Estes Arts District and a member of the first Board. Lars has been committed and involved in the Estes Park art scene over nearly 13 years.
Volunteer ~original founding board member 2015 – 2017, returning member at large now since April 2022, Vice Chair January 2025, Co-Chair October 2025
Co-Chair President, Dana Paiement
Estes Destination Development Manager at Visit Estes Park. Dana is a devoted advocate for the community of Estes Park and a strong proponent of the environment. She is excited to contribute to promoting sustainable tourism in Estes Park. When not working, Dana enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, hiking, exploring new destinations, whipping up delicious meals, practicing yoga and tending to her garden.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since July 2025, Co-Chair October 2025
Estes Destination Development Manager at Visit Estes Park. Dana is a devoted advocate for the community of Estes Park and a strong proponent of the environment. She is excited to contribute to promoting sustainable tourism in Estes Park. When not working, Dana enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, hiking, exploring new destinations, whipping up delicious meals, practicing yoga and tending to her garden.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since July 2025, Co-Chair October 2025
David Hernández, Vice Chairman -
Attorney, consultant, and business development and marketing specialist with over 13 years of experience. Founder of North Peak Media, an agency focused on advertising and entrepreneurship training. In Estes Park, he leads community projects such as Estes Park Posts, La Voz Del Valle de Estes podcast (Estes Valley voice)
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since Sept. 2025, Vice President April 2026
Attorney, consultant, and business development and marketing specialist with over 13 years of experience. Founder of North Peak Media, an agency focused on advertising and entrepreneurship training. In Estes Park, he leads community projects such as Estes Park Posts, La Voz Del Valle de Estes podcast (Estes Valley voice)
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since Sept. 2025, Vice President April 2026
Web Manager/Digital Marketing, Amber Lausted, is a longtime resident of Estes Park. She spent 25 years in the Ranch Resort-Banquet & Restaurant business in jobs including but not limited to horse wrangling, catering, event coordinating, marketing and advertising. She then moved back into the art world managing a busy tourist town Fine Art and Handcraft Gallery for 12+ years. Along the way she remained creative making and selling jewelry, upcycled lamps and making costumes for fun. Her advanced education is in Art with a focus in sculpture and metalsmithing.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since April 2017
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since April 2017
Laurie Dale Marshall, Secretary
Former EAD Board member and volunteer.
Developed and executed a community meal program that fed over 3000 meals during the COVID pandemic shut down, coordinating funding, volunteers and menus. Former board member, Estes Chamber of Commerce
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since November 2025
Former EAD Board member and volunteer.
Developed and executed a community meal program that fed over 3000 meals during the COVID pandemic shut down, coordinating funding, volunteers and menus. Former board member, Estes Chamber of Commerce
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since November 2025
Lauren Mollé, Treasurer
Lauren is an Estes Park native who serves as Director of Operations at the Rocky Mountain Channel and as a manager at Mama Rose’s. She is deeply passionate about her small town community and the people who call it home. With a strong love for the arts, she is immersed in creative work daily through her career in the film industry. In her free time, Lauren enjoys singing, hiking, baking cakes, and spending time with her cat.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since January 2026
Lauren is an Estes Park native who serves as Director of Operations at the Rocky Mountain Channel and as a manager at Mama Rose’s. She is deeply passionate about her small town community and the people who call it home. With a strong love for the arts, she is immersed in creative work daily through her career in the film industry. In her free time, Lauren enjoys singing, hiking, baking cakes, and spending time with her cat.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since January 2026
Ravit Michener
For over 33 years, I have owned and operated Elements of Touch Wellness Spa under Dharma Design LLC, serving both locals and visitors. I assisted with developing the Estes Park Studio Tour for three years. I helped coordinate with the town, secured funding, managed advertising and outreach, and hosted one of the studios stops at our home — where my husband, an artist, shared his work. That involvement deepened my commitment to supporting local artists and promoting art as a central part of Estes Park’s identity.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since November 2025
For over 33 years, I have owned and operated Elements of Touch Wellness Spa under Dharma Design LLC, serving both locals and visitors. I assisted with developing the Estes Park Studio Tour for three years. I helped coordinate with the town, secured funding, managed advertising and outreach, and hosted one of the studios stops at our home — where my husband, an artist, shared his work. That involvement deepened my commitment to supporting local artists and promoting art as a central part of Estes Park’s identity.
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since November 2025
Natalie Patrick
Natalie operates the Inspired Artisan Market & Studio in Estes
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since February 2026
Natalie operates the Inspired Artisan Market & Studio in Estes
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since February 2026
Kiley Jo Schroeder -
Operations Manager Estes Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development & Workforce Council
Estes Chamber Foundation
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since April 2026
Operations Manager Estes Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development & Workforce Council
Estes Chamber Foundation
Volunteer ~Estes Arts District Board Member since April 2026
Bill Brown -
Bill has family history in Estes back going back to the 1960s. He has been an attorney since 1977 and specialized in business law, tax law and mergers and acquisitions.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustee for the Town of Estes Park, elected in 2024 to serve the remainder of Scott Webermeier’s term after his passing.
Town of Estes Park liaison ~Estes Arts District Board Member since May 2026
Bill has family history in Estes back going back to the 1960s. He has been an attorney since 1977 and specialized in business law, tax law and mergers and acquisitions.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustee for the Town of Estes Park, elected in 2024 to serve the remainder of Scott Webermeier’s term after his passing.
Town of Estes Park liaison ~Estes Arts District Board Member since May 2026
Talia Siens, Arts & Culture Program Director - a shared position supporting both the Estes Arts District and Visit Estes Park.
Talia brings over 15 years of experience in cultural tourism, historic preservation, and community-driven programming. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission, where she leads statewide strategy connecting communities through heritage and storytelling. She has also revitalized the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and Historic Byway and is a founding board member of Friends of Raymer, helping preserve and activate historic spaces through partnerships, fundraising, and programming. In addition, her background in photography and marketing brings strong storytelling and content expertise to this role. Paid liaison ~Estes Arts District & Visit Estes Park since April 2026
This role, established through a joint partnership, is designed to strengthen the local creative economy, support small businesses, and enhance the cultural experience for both residents and visitors in the Estes Valley.
Talia brings over 15 years of experience in cultural tourism, historic preservation, and community-driven programming. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission, where she leads statewide strategy connecting communities through heritage and storytelling. She has also revitalized the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and Historic Byway and is a founding board member of Friends of Raymer, helping preserve and activate historic spaces through partnerships, fundraising, and programming. In addition, her background in photography and marketing brings strong storytelling and content expertise to this role. Paid liaison ~Estes Arts District & Visit Estes Park since April 2026
This role, established through a joint partnership, is designed to strengthen the local creative economy, support small businesses, and enhance the cultural experience for both residents and visitors in the Estes Valley.
The Estes Arts District oversees the state-designated Colorado Creative Industry certification. Achieving this designation reflects years of collaborative effort by the Town of Estes Park, Visit Estes Park, Estes Arts District board members, staff, artists, community partners, and supporters to build recognition for the area’s creative sector.
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Travis Machalek, the Town Administrator for Estes Park, guides the EAD. Machalek has worked with high-performing public sector organizations and to this point, has been instrumental in the Estes Arts District's development.
Travis Machalek, the Town Administrator for Estes Park, guides the EAD. Machalek has worked with high-performing public sector organizations and to this point, has been instrumental in the Estes Arts District's development.
Join Us. |
We are always looking for people wanting to volunteer and help promote art and culture in Estes Park. Let us know if you would like to attend our monthly meetings.
If you would like to do more, consider joining the Estes Arts District Board of Directors. Send us your application if would like to be consider for a board position. |
In the beginning...
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Original Board Members:
L to R: craig soderberg, greg miles, claudia farber, cyd springer, pat nelson, lars sage, karen mcpherson, ezekiel fuzzybutt ~Estes Arts District Founding Members, 2016 |
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