Kellen Boice was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD. She graduated in 2000 from Roosevelt High School where she excelled in Marketing, Photography, Theatre and Graphic Art. Following high school, she started working full-time as a studio photographer for Harold’s Photo Center and freelancing weddings and seniors portraits. From 2004 – 2007 Kellen attended the Art Institute of Phoenix,  graduating with a BA in Advertising. After graduation, she started work as a marketing representative and in-house graphic designer for a master-planned community in Peoria, AZ. In 2011 she moved back to Sioux Falls to be closer to family and in 2014 started her role as Executive Director for the Sioux Falls Design Center where she worked hosting events to support and elevate the design community. November of 2019, she left the Design Center and started as the Executive Director for the Sioux Falls Arts Council. Kellen sits on the Visual Arts Commission for the City of Sioux Falls, is an inaugural member of the Dakota State University Digital Arts and Design Advisory Board for 2021-22, and board member for the Friends of McKennan Park Neighborhood Association.

Wes Eisenhauer is a photographer and musician residing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with his wife and 2 daughters. Wes has spent the last 15 years making music and touring the country as well as embracing many other creative pursuits and side hustles. His recent obsession with photo and video work has lead him down a new creative path, inspiring him to embrace the beauty and culture in his own back yard.

Joel Rische is a partner at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz, and Smith, LLP, where he is a civil litigation attorney. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Joel traveled South Dakota learning about its arts, culture, history, and music as a videographer, editor, and producer at South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Through the years, Joel has also participated in the local scene as a drummer (and sometimes guitar player and singer) in several bands. After a stint in Nebraska, where Joel attended the University of Nebraska College of Law, he and wife Jackelyn Severin returned to Sioux Falls in 2015. Joel and Jackie enjoy raising their rambunctious toddler, attending local shows, and strolling the downtown sculpture walk.

Kira Christensen Dylla is the Learning & Development Manager at Farmers Business Network. She graduated from Augustana University with a B.A. in Mathematics and Secondary Education. During her time as a math teacher, she was the South Dakota recipient of a national teaching award and received her M.A. in Educational Technology from the University of Michigan. In college, Kira sang with the Augustana Choir and Chamber Choir for four years, and as a teacher, she advised student groups associated with the arts. Kira is an active member and past President of Sioux Falls Rotary – South, and she and her husband enjoy volunteering with the club.

Jeff Holcomb retired in 2016 after serving 12 years as the President/CEO of Southeast Technical Institute (STI) in Sioux Falls. During his tenure, the Southeast Tech campus grew and developed not only physically but programmatically. Upon retiring, he completed his doctorate in educational leadership finally checking it off his bucket list. Currently, Jeff operates a ranch West River in partnership with his sister. He began his career in education in 1985 with the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs serving in various capacities until 1993. Jeff also served the state of South Dakota as the Chief Purchasing Administrator from 1993-1999. He continued service as the Purchasing Coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls from 1999-2004. In August of 2004, he accepted the position of President/CEO of STI. Jeff is a South Dakota native from Long Valley, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He received his bachelor’s degree in German and Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Finally, he holds an Ed.D. from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Jeff has a life-long love of the arts and currently perform with the South Dakota Symphony Chorus, Christmas at the Cathedral Choir, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church Senior Choir.

Michael Jamison was born and raised in Sioux Falls. His family includes Roxann his wife of 32 years two grown children Brent and Sara, and a grandson Henry who has redefined him as a “Grandpa.” Mike graduated from Lake Area Tech in 1980 and began his first career with The Spitznagel Partners (TSP) in 1981. While working at TSP he attended Augustana College, Sioux Falls College and South Dakota State University in preparation for passing the required testing to become a Registered Professional Electrical Engineer. Mike retired from TSP in 2018 and began his second career in January of 2019 with Puetz Corp a Design-Build, Construction Management firm with office in Mitchell, Pierre and Sioux Falls. Over the years Mike has been actively engaged with a number of community non-profit organizations including: Make-A-Wish, Junior Achievement, Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science, South Dakota Achieve (LifeScape), Lutheran Social Services, Sioux Falls Arts Council, City of Sioux Falls Visual Arts Commission, Chamber of Commerce Community Appeals Committee and Dow Rummel Village.

Dr. Boyd Perkins serves as Coordinator of Fine Arts in the Sioux Falls School District in South Dakota, where he oversees all aspects of the visual art, music, theater, speech, and debate education programs. Prior to his position in the Sioux Falls School District, Perkins served as Director of Bands and chair of the Department of Music and Theater at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. In addition to his collegiate work he has served as a K-12 school music educator at the secondary and elementary levels in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.  Perkins earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Arts degrees  from The University of Iowa as well as his Bachelor of Science in Music Education with both an instrumental and vocal emphasis from South Dakota State University. He holds his national certification in online distance education design and delivery through the Online Learning Consortium.

Chase Kramer grew up in Sioux Falls and has been actively involved in artistic endeavors since his youth, benefiting from the active arts culture already present in Sioux Falls. He attended Augustana University and studied Art and Pre-Architecture, all while being actively involved in various theatre productions and singing in the Augustana Choir (as well as being part of cover-band for a short stint). After Augustana, he went on to Iowa State University and received his Master’s of Architecture. Upon graduation, he returned to Sioux Falls and is currently a project architect at TSP, Inc. He has been involved in productions with the Sioux Empire Community Theatre, is an active musician at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, as well as a member of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He also currently serves as the Chair of Washington Pavilion’s Visual Arts Center Advisory Board. Chase lives in Sioux Falls with his wife Rachael and his 3 children Veronica, Lucia, and Ezra.

Deya Thorin was born on the Island of Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic. She became a United States citizen in 1994 and loves the founding principles of this country. She and her husband Todd have been married for 35 years and have raised six children and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren. She has worked as a freelance Spanish Judicial Interpreter and Translator. She is an accomplished artist and professional model with a second degree black belt in Taekwondo. She can also twist a chicken’s head off and turn it into dinner. She has served as a Counselor in the Young Women and Relief Society Organizations of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. She also served as a leader, together with her husband, in the church’s addiction recovery program. She loves to entertain, cook and watch baking shows. Reading daily has become a great habit and she loves her book club sisters. Her children and grandchildren are her joy and her husband is her hero.

James Landon is a music Artist and Fashion Designer born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After serving four years honorably in the Marine Corps, James moved to LA to start his music and fashion career then returned to Sioux Falls to open a clothing and arts event space. Passionate about infiltrating the art scene into the community, James brings to the table innovative thinking, unique perspective, and a drive to diversify art accessibility.

James Payer II is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for The Empire Mall, an advocate for the advancement of the arts and a volunteer force within Sioux Falls.  Uprooting from Wagner, SD, James planted in Sioux Falls, SD, attributing his time and talent to the mission development of several nonprofits including the Sioux Empire United Way, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sioux Falls Arts Council, and the Washington Pavilion.

He earned his Bachelors of Business Administration Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of South Dakota, and obtained his Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Innovation from The University of Sioux Falls.  James is a graduate of Leadership South Dakota, a 2022 Sutton Leader, and was awarded 4 Under 40 by the areas Young Professional Network in 2021.  James achieved his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation in 2019 and continues his long-standing collegiate involvement as a 5-state Regional Officer for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a national social Fraternity.

Marcy Dimond has 21 years of progressive leadership experience in the Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation field and non profit business management. She currently serves as the CEO for Dakota Lions Sight & Health with 4 offices located throughout the Dakotas. For the past 7 years, Marcy has served on various national boards like the EBAA through committee service on the Accreditation Board, and is currently Chairing the Accreditation Modernization Taskforce. Additionally Marcy has served on the Executive Committee of the EBAA Board of Directors since 2016 to present and was actively involved in the Governance Transformation. Prior to DLSH, Marcy was the Clinical Director at Life Alaska Donor Services and a long-term consultant with Life Center Northwest. Her experience began as an eye & tissue recovery technician in 1998. During that time Marcy served the AATB in drafting policies related to DRAI, Authorization & Screening as Cross Contamination which became a part of the 14th Edition of AATB Medical Standards.

Mark Millage is a proud Patriot (SF Lincoln), Jackrabbit (SDSU), husband (37 years), dad (three adult children), and grandpa (one adorable grandson). Mark discovered his passion for storytelling while in college and embarked upon a 25-year career in television news. Journalism opened many doors, offered amazing experiences, and provided leadership opportunities locally and globally. For the past decade, Mark has worked in higher education, public relations, and non-profit leadership helping to strengthen organizational outreach and impact. As Director of Community Relations for Furniture Mart USA, Mark creates partnerships and bridges connections with media while providing philanthropic support to non-profit organizations across the upper Midwest. Through the years, Mark has been privileged to serve more than 30 different local and regional agencies including Make-A-Wish, The Banquet, St. Francis House, Multi-Cultural Center, and United Way. With the Arts Council, Mark served on the steering committee for Sioux Falls Imagined and chaired its task force on Cultural Facilities and Public Art.