Arts Rolla Board of Directors for 2011/2012


Jerry Cohen, Ph.D
Jerry is a professor of Russian and German with a research specialty in etymology, especially of British and American slang at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. His extensive work on word origins includes many terms with at least some connection to the arts (e.g. "jazz"). He writes a brief item weekly for the Missouri S&T student newspaper and shares the results of his research with a broader audience. Jerry continues to be an important part of the leadership for the literary programs offered by Arts Rolla. He serves as the Vice-President of Arts Rolla. He has been integral in fostering a productive relationship between Arts Rolla and the university.

Sandra Ford

For many years Sandra painted oils, enjoying such subjects as landscapes, still life, etc. But the past few years she has combined her love of Appalachian and Ozark quilt designs with other interests in Native American, African and primitive art in general. This has evolved into an acrylic art form that she calls "functional art".

Sandra primarily paints on furniture from the 1930's and 1940's because of the quality of the workmanship and the attention to detail. Each piece is unique, and calls for its own design and color approach.  She sometimes adds trompe l'oeil effects for awhimsical touch. The 3-dimensional aspects of her pieces are much more fun and challenging to her than the more traditional approaches to art.;

Sandra has always responded to intense color. As the designs and colors emerge on each piece that she paints, they seem to have an identity of their own. It's sort of like seeing your children's personalities develop.  it's always a surprise and pleasure when the piece is complete.; She is thankful for being able to express the joy that she feels, and encourages everyone to search out their own creative talents.

Sandra says if she has a philosophy about her work, she states, "It's simply this....painting makes me happy when I'm doing it, when it's finished and when others respond to it". She is always looking forward to the next interesting piece of furniture she finds hiding at the next garage sale or auction.   What will it be?  What can she do with it? She knows that they are out there waiting for her to come along. 

Sandra has her artwork in galleries in four states: Washington, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri.  Sandra has also participated in 3 invitation only shows in Washington. She has also participated in many juried events and received numerous awards.  Sandra is looking forward to serving on the Arts Rolla board.

Colleen Kelley
Colleen was born in Clovis, New Mexico and raised in Iowa.  After completing high school she joined the U.S. Army and served with the Military Intelligence as an Image Interpreter. While serving at Fort Huachuca, AZ, she met her future husband, Curtis. After completing her tour of duty they were married.; The Kelleys went from one assignment to the next, both stateside and Europe.   

Upon retirement, Colleen and her family selected Rolla to be their home.  Rolla was chosen because of its small town atmosphere, friendly people and because of the Blue Ribbon schools.   

Colleen is a self-taught artist who just recently began to publicly share her work. Presently she enjoys working with pastels and acrylics and has recently ventured into china painting. Her interest in art has led her to other art lovers which has grown into new friendships.  She is a member of Local Color, Arts Rolla, Springfield Regional Art Council and The St. Louis Guild.  When not taking care of her family or working at the Rolla Middle School, she fills her free time by painting, reading, shopping, taking long walks, playing with the family's 4 dogs and above all laughing.   If one were to ask her what her priorities are she would say they are faith, family, country, service and art.

Jan Roberts
Jan has lived in Rolla for 20 years with her husband and three children.  She is a former school teacher and is an artist. Jan has been the Arts Rolla recording Secretary for the past 3 years.  Currently, Jan serves as our Show Facilitator.  Through her leadership, upcoming exhibits are scheduled and installed.  Jan provides positive encouragement to local artists and has developed a reputation for finding new artists and bringing outstanding exhibits to our region.  

Jeanenne Hailey Silleck
Jeanenne Hailey's family moved in Rolla in time for her to start the eighth grade. She attended Rolla High School and after graduating left to get further education mostly at the University of Missouri and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlink, Ohio.  She returned to Rolla with a degree in music education, several years of teaching experience and a new name, Mrs. Bob Conyers.  The Conyers family had two children and when they were both in school, Mom started teaching Music for the Rolla Public Schools.   Later she became a single mom and while continuing to teach earned a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri.

After teaching for thirty years, Jeanenne is now retired.  Her husband of the past twenty years, Bill Silleck, is also retired from National Cash Register.   Between them they have 4 children, two his and two hers and many grandchildren, all of whom live close enough to visit frequently, but not often enough.

All of her life, Jeanenne has been a "wanta-be" artist so about 10 years ago decided that it was now or never.  She found local teachers from whom she learned to use watercolors, oils and pastels and later started taking advantage of workshops around the area and other states as well. Now, if she is not busy with her real life, you will most likely find her somewhere hiding behind an easel.  

She is active in PEO, her church, several art organizations, retired teachers and still teaches piano in her home studio.

According to Jeanenne, "Retirement is the greatest. I have my family, my friends and a really fun hobby.  What could be better?".

Loretta Wallis, MBA
Loretta has served as the President of Arts Rolla since 2006 and has worked to increase the visibility of the organization in the region.  She has focused on marketing the organization through the media and website.; She is the Corporate Relations Manager for Brewer Science in Rolla, MO.; In addition to her work on the Arts Rolla board of directors, Loretta also is the Program & Education Chair for the Greater Ozarks International Trade Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Association of Art Agencies,  and serves on the advisory board of the Missouri District Export Council and the Missouri Association of Manufacturers.


John Woodfin
Upon graduating from UM-Columbia in 1972, John taught and directed theatre at Mexico High School. After three years, John left Mexico to pursue a Masters degree at Southwest Missouri State University.  John then accepted a teaching position at Rolla High School, where he taught and directed the theatre program for 17 years.   After 20 years in the high school classroom, John joined the performing arts faculty at UM-Rolla in 1992, where he taught and directed theatre for 15 years.  After 35 years of teaching, John retired in 2007 whereupon he joined the Leach Theatre management team where he has served as Marketing Director for the past three years.  In addition to    his work with public school and university students, John has also been active in community theatre.  For three years John was the artistic director for the Cedar Street Summer Theatre sponsored by the University of Missouri-Rolla in the early 80's.  John has also directed plays for Ozark Actor's Theatre, and Beacon Hill Theatre at College of the Ozarks. In addition to his interest in theatre, John enjoys serving on the Missouri S&T Campus Performing Arts committee, The S&T Family Series, the S&T CampArt committee and the board of directors for Prevention Consultants of Missouri.  John is pleased to be on the Arts Rolla Board of Directors for the second time since coming to Rolla.

Robert Cesario

Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Dr. Robert Cesario came to Missouri S&T from Bucknell University where he served as Visiting Director of Bands. Previous to Bucknell he was Visiting Director of Bands at Texas Lutheran University following his service as Director of Bands at both Rice University and Huntsville Independent School District.  He held the position of Coordinator of Music for the Tulsa Public Schools from 1990 to 1998 where he managed Oklahoma's largest public school music program. 

With 20 years of college teaching experience and ten years of public school education and administration, his roles have been diverse and demonstrate a variety of talents.  He has conducted college and high school wood ensembles, concert bands, jazz ensembles and marching bands, and taught courses such as conducting, wind literature, music education, theory, history, and applied woodwinds.  Dr. Cesarion is also an accomplished soloist and performer on clarinet and saxophone in concert, jazz, and commercial venues across the United States, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Recent professional service includes TMEA District XXIII College Chair, Vice President of the WAC Mountain West Conference Band Director's Association, Secretary of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and he has played an active role in the commissioning of works by several composers.  He was inducted into Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity in 1988.   

Bridget Stiverson

Reba  Fryer - Administrative Assistant
Reba Fyer joined Arts Rolla in December 2005 and serves as the organization's Administrative Assistant. Reba has worked for and had been involved with not-for-profit organizations for the past 18 years and brings a vast amount of expertise to Arts Rolla. She has worked for the American Red Cross Phelps-Pulaski Chapter.  She currently is an active council member for the Phelps County 4-H group. Reba has served as the past-president for the Phelps County Genealogical Society and currently serves as the recording secretary for the organization.     Arts Rolla continues to grow as a result of her expertise and enthusiasm.