Meet Our Team!

It takes a village... isn't that what they say? Well, when it comes to Art & Soul it's a tiny village, but when that group is considered more than just employees, you've struck gold. I'm so very lucky that all the people that work with me are friends and confidants. Not only do they help to keep Art & Soul running smoothly, but they help me keep my sanity! There isn't too much better than that when you're running a business. So, if you don't already know us, here's a little bit about the people behind the scenes at Art & Soul...

Glenny Moir - Event Owner & Producer

If you've ever been to an Art & Soul retreat, then you probably already know me. Being an independent woman business owner, I'm kind of everywhere... all the time! How did I get to this place?  Well, I'm actually no stranger to event planning. Prior to A&S, more than 20 years of weddings, anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvah’s, theme parties and festivals kept me busy, busy, busy. During that time, I sought an outlet for my artistic endeavors and discovered a few small venues for creative learning. When I realized that I could take my passion for creativity and education, and create a large-scale event for mixed media… Art & Soul Retreats was born!

I enjoy scouting for the most sought-after instructors as well as discovering up-and-coming artists and art trends that attendees find inspiring. In fact, several popular mixed media artists of today got their start teaching at Art & Soul Retreats. Besides the delight in running such an event, I love to watch the attendees push beyond their comfort zone and create something magnificent. The smiles on their faces as they walk from the workshops — projects held high — is all I needs to remind me that I'm on the right path. Today Art & Soul the longest running mixed media retreat in the country.

I live in Boring, Oregon (no, it’s not boring) with my furry, four-legged friends and just a few closets full of art supplies.

Marie Kennedy - Assistant

Having evolved creatively over the years, Marie has dabbled in everything from quilting and scrapbooking to collage and art dolls. Her official involvement with Art & Soul as my Assistant, began in 2009. She has become my right hand (and oftentimes left as well). Her never-ending enthusiasm for the success of Art & Soul was only part of what led her to be working side-by-side with me today. Marie is a great problem solver and someone who enjoys the challenges brought to her each day. She hopes that everyone who attends Art & Soul is able to fill their soul with friendship and love for the art process. I totally rely on her skills and judgement and cannot thank her enough for all that she does.

Marie lives in Novato, California with her husband, John. Her days are spent watching her darling granddaughter, Callie, and trying to teach her how to use all the art supplies.

Danial Powers - Social Media Coordinator

 

Danial has just joined our team as our Social Media Coordinator. As many of you know, I am clueless when it comes to promotion on all Social Media venues. When I started A&S, we didn’t even have Blogs....and I remember Leslie Riley telling me that I had to come into the internet century. I eventually did, kicking and fighting all the way.

Danial moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2000 from Michigan. She lives near Seattle with her husband, son, and three cats. By day, Danial has worked as the Director of Admissions at DigiPen Institute of Technology, a small college located in Redmond Washington, for the last eight years. Previously, she worked in the marketing department of Puget Sound Energy (PSE) promoting PSE’s energy efficiency programs.

Outside of regular work hours, Danial is a mixed-media artist. Her work was featured on the covers of body image zine Love Me, Love My Belly #001 (Porkbelly Press, 2014), and My Own Strange Beast (Porkbelly Press, 2017). Danial discovered Art and Soul in 2016 and has been attending the Portland retreat every year since.

Michelle Bernard - Graphic Artist

Michelle Bernard was already a longtime attendee of Art & Soul when we asked her to design the 2009 Rock & Roll themed logo. I liked the design so much, I brought her on as our permanent Graphic Artist. Michelle’s unique perspective and approach to advertising and promotion have helped to keep our attendees excited and engaged. When she’s not designing for Art & Soul, Michelle loves working in all facets of mixed media including painting, collage, assemblage, jewelry, sculpting, sewing, art dolls and anything else that gets her creative juices flowing.

As the former Art Director of Ranger Crafts, not only has she co-taught a few of our opening night classes in Virginia, but her exposure to innovative art products has helped bring her own mixed media works to a whole new level. Having started out doing craft shows and selling her creations online, Michelle now shows her work in multiple galleries and retail establishments. And she loves to let everyone know where it all began... at Art & Soul!

Michelle lives in the quaint Victorian seashore town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey with her 2 kitties and a house full of art supplies and found objects.

Ain't She A Doll... One Of Our Own!

I was so excited to hear that our very own Graphic Designer, Michelle Bernard, had recently begun concentrating on her Art Dolls — and that more than 15 of them were accepted for two different exhibits at Torche' Galerie! She even sold 3 of her dolls at the first Opening Night! How awesome is that?

Michelle is no stranger to Art & Soul, having attended our event for years, taught a couple of opening night classes, and then became our Graphic Designer — creating ads, logos, marketing material, and the like to promote our retreat.

She's dabbled in collage, assemblage, journaling, painting, bookmaking, jewelry, dolls, and lots of other mixed media stuff! And, by her own admission, much of her artwork today was inspired by classes she took at Art & Soul! Oh, yes... such a proud Mama I am.

And it wasn't that Michelle didn't enjoy dabbling in collage, assemblage, journaling, painting, bookmaking, jewelry, dolls, and lots of other mixed media stuff! But this year she wanted to focus on one main genre of creativity. And Art Dolls allowed her to utilize her sculpting, painting, fabric, craft, jewelry and mixed media expertise — all on one piece!

Her little folk art characters have a modern twist and are sometimes a bit twisted (Michelle says that's a compliment!). I just love their facial expressions. And I know that a lot of heart and soul went into these. I've seen Michelle at work during the retreats. Her brain is always thinking of new and clever ways to do things, but at the same time letting her true style emerge. Sheesh, am I gushing or what?

To see more of Michelle's Art Dolls, you can check out her Artist's Page on the Torche' Galerie website. And you can also see more of her mixed media creations on her website YesterdaysTrashArt.com. As for her Graphic Design work? Well, you can just open up an issue of Somerset Studio or Where Women Create, among others, to find her handiwork on the glossy pages of our favorite publications!

So congratulations, Michelle. We're so proud of you. It's been an amazing journey getting to know you, seeing you grow creatively at our retreats, and to see where it's taken you! Bravo my dear!