BAA Board – Bartlesville Art Association

Our Board meets monthly to plan our classes, workshops, events and exhibits and keep everything running smoothly at the BAA studio.

Board meetings are on the second Monday of the month at 6:30pm at BAA.

BAA is looking for a few new members to join the Board for 2027. If you are interested, please consider applying.

Call the office, talk to a Board member, or submit the application at this link. (Click here.)

If you would like to volunteer in any way with BAA please contact one of the board members or email bartlesvilleartassociation@gmail.com.

Janet Odden, Board President

Janet Odden has served as BAA President since 2024. She loves teaching classes such as her “No Talent Tuesday” classes, where beginners find the courage to explore their artistic abilities. In her popular acrylic painting classes, students learn both fundamentals and advanced techniques. Janet’s favorite mediums include: oil paint, acrylics, and watercolor. We thank Janet for her leadership and passion for building the BAA community of artists and art lovers!

Steve Russell, Vice President

What began as an avid art collector’s passion evolved into a fulfilling new hobby for Steve Russell. Approximately six years ago, Steve embarked on his artistic journey by enrolling in his first art class, guided by a talented friend and artist from whom he and his wife Jana had collected numerous captivating pieces. When he’s not dedicating his efforts to selling property for McGraw Realtors, Steve eagerly retreats to his personal studio, where the solace of his easel awaits. Immersing himself in art offers a welcome escape, providing a therapeutic haven that nurtures his heart and soul, rejuvenating his spirit amidst the vibrant world of colors and creativity.

Brice Zaun, Treasurer

Brice Zaun brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role on the Board, and has made a significant impact with his innovative problem solving and dedication. As an artist, he is a self-taught leathercrafter and enjoys the intricacies of the art which include tooling, painting, dyeing, and sewing.

Stacy Lewallen, Secretary

Stacy Lewallen, a dedicated member of BAA for the past five years, has actively contributed to our community, especially during her two-year tenure on the board. Now taking on the role of secretary, Stacy brings her passion for art into every project she undertakes. As a retiree, she has rekindled her love for artistic creation across various mediums. Though she dabbled in art classes at OSU, her skills are largely self-taught, reflecting her commitment to personal growth. Stacy currently finds joy in collage, mixed media, and acrylic painting, constantly seeking to expand her knowledge. She thrives in the vibrant atmosphere of creative spirits, where fun and learning go hand in hand.

Steven Graham, Youth Education

Steven Graham, a seasoned Bartlesville art teacher with over 30 years of dedication at Kane Elementary, has nurtured the creative spirits of countless students. His artistry extends beyond education; for over two decades, he has contributed significantly to the Bartlesville Art Association, serving in various capacities on its board. A master of acrylics, Steven captures the soul of urban landscapes, local Oklahoma vistas, and the iconic Route 66 in his vibrant paintings. Moreover, his creativity flourishes through crafting boomerangs, designing intricate costumes, and ingeniously upcycling old books into unique art pieces. As the Director of the BAA Summer Art Camp, Stephen continues to inspire and cultivate artistic passion in young minds.

Jon Lindblom

Dr. Jon Lindblom has been a member of the BAA board for nearly two years, contributing to new BAA initiatives. The owner of Safari Smiles Children’s Dentistry, he balances his professional commitments with a flourishing artistic journey. A lifelong artist, he has immersed himself in the art world over the past eight years, channeling his creativity into vibrant, fluid pieces in acrylics, oils and mixed media. Beyond his artistic endeavors, Jon is a committed fundraiser; he actively supports local nonprofits, driving projects that enhance community quality of life for Bartians. Art serves as a stress relief, providing a colorful escape from the meticulous precision required in his dental practice.

Erich Minton

Erich Minton, a valued member for over two years, has dedicated much of that time to serving on the board. With a deep passion for glass artistry, he has shared his skills through teaching both group and private glassblowing lessons. His commitment to the craft shines as he volunteered at the Tulsa glassblowing school, where he made significant contributions to the Vetri program. While glass remains his favorite medium, he also enjoys acrylic painting. Erich’s expertise in glassblowing, particularly soft glass, stems from years spent working in a glass studio from 2005 to 2008. His artistic journey includes studying at the Corning Museum of Glass with the revered Italian maestro Davide Salvadore and learning from Edward Schmid.

Josh Waddell

Josh has been a dedicated member of the BAA for almost two years, significantly contributing to the successful planning and implementation of the 6x6x show and the vibrant Artful Day in the Ville, while also generously sharing his knowledge by teaching dynamic assemblage workshops for both adults and children. Together with BAA Member Michael Wray, Josh ingeniously crafted the Pedal Painter, an extraordinary Spinart contraption made from an old exercise bike and various repurposed materials. A full-time artist, Josh boasts a uniquely diverse portfolio, creating an array of one-of-a-kind pieces, from captivating robots, imaginative ray guns, and whimsical creatures, to sci-fi wonders and inventive functional furniture all while transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary art.

Kathleen Rutledge

Kathleen was about ten when she got her first Brownie camera. She would load the film rolls in the camera, take a shot and carefully advance the film. She saved up her allowance and would drop the film at the mall kiosk and wait breathlessly for the prints.

After retiring from business, she hesitantly enrolled in an art class at BAA. It was a graphite drawing class taught by regionally renowned watercolorist Amy Jenkins. Kathleen’s resulting flower clearly demonstrated she had a lot of study and practice ahead – but she was hooked!

BAA artists and teachers were endlessly encouraging of Kathleen’s artistic efforts. She now pursues her artistic practice with a focus on soft pastels and oil painting. She doesn’t claim to be talented but wants others to see that with practice and good teachers, one can create art that satisfies the soul.

BAA has benefited from Kathleen’s business and development expertise. She joined the Board and served as President from 2019 to 2023. She believes her best contribution has been establishing the donor-designated scholarship fund that provides tuition assistance to both adult and young adult aspiring artists.

Dedra Morgan

Dedra Morgan, a retired Bartlesville school teacher, embraced new challenges upon her retirement, quickly immersing herself in the thriving arts community. Her passion led her to join the BAA, and she has served on the Board on and off since 2007, including serving as President of BAA. She organizes workshops for BAA, and also serves as a community collaborator. Through her leadership, BAA, along with the Price Tower and the Center and other partners, helped established an Arts District in Bartlesville. Her artistic journey has been enriched by studying portraiture under distinguished artists Evelyn Petroski, Anthony Ryder, and John Reger.

As Dedra plans on retiring from the Board, she was happy to be asked to oversee a new yearly exhibit to celebrate the many talented BAA Artists. Prairie Moon Exhibit and Sale’s second event is hanging at the Lyon Gallery in the Bartlesville Community Center through September 29th.

Fred Cook

Fred Cook, a dedicated member of BAA for a decade and an influential presence on its board for seven years, has long cherished art’s boundless creative possibilities. His artistic journey began in the early 1980s with watercolor lessons from a friend, sparking a passion that led him to create unique pieces of his own. Though he embarked on an advanced degree, his path veered into the demands of corporate life. Upon retirement, a yearning for creativity reignited, spurred by an art class encounter while framing a photograph. Embracing his love of travel, Fred’s artwork beautifully captures the essence of diverse global scenes, drawing inspiration from the beauty he discovers in every destination, and striving to encapsulate that in his creations.

Bill Whitte

Bill Whitte is a retired engineer/scientist who has reignited his passion for painting, a pursuit he began in his student days in Buffalo, NY, during the 1960s and 1970s. Under the guidance of William Little and Theodore Patricola, Bill was encouraged to chase a career in art, but the allure of science led him to a rewarding 37-year career developing polymers at Phillips Petroleum Co. Since retiring, Bill has embraced his artistic journey once more, finding joy in the rich textures and vibrant colors of oil painting. Joining the BAA in 2013, he recently became a board member, sharing his expertise by teaching an introductory oil class and facilitating the weekly easel painters open studio.

Jarrett Cowden

Jarrett Cowden, with his roots deep in the vibrant artistic communities of New Mexico, found his passion for oil painting ignited by the rich culture and breathtaking vistas of the high desert. The serene beauty of the landscape and its ever-changing moods, especially how the colors of the skies shifted dramatically with the transition of time and weather, became a central theme in his art. As a dedicated member serving on the board of directors of the Bartlesville Art Association for four fruitful years, Jarrett has not only contributed to the organization but has also been pivotal in elevating their marketing strategies, broadening the reach and impact of the art group and their dynamic activities.

Jurine Elkins

Jurine Elkins’ diverse expertise and artistic flair bring vibrant energy to our team. She creates in acrylics and mixed media, and is also a highly skilled musician and vocalist. Her educational journey reflects her dedication, having honed her skills at the University of Montana for fine arts, alongside industrial design studies at the Art Institute of Seattle. A combination of training and self-teaching gives her a unique edge, and she believes that music is a vital influence in her creative process.