Meet the Team
It Starts Here
Our Vision | We want to be a leading regional hub for the arts, supporting artists while serving as a welcoming destination for audiences to gather and engage in the arts.
Staff Members
Janet Teunis
Executive Director​
​Janet Teunis (she/her) joined the Lowell Arts staff as Project Director in 2013 and was hired as Executive Director in 2023. From 2000-2013, she held positions at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA). Janet has experience in artistic and programmatic leadership, human resources, management of programs and events, management of operations and marketing, and special event planning. Janet has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan School of Art and is a practicing visual artist.
Laurel Conrad
Program Director
Laurel Conrad (she/her) joined the staff at Lowell Arts in 2021. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Adrian College. Primarily an actor, some of her performance credits include Agnes in Agnes of God and Older Elizabeth Law in When the Rain Stops Falling. Laurel has received two Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship nominations, one of which she took to compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Ryne Clarke
​Program Assistant
Ryne Clarke (he/him) joined the staff at Lowell Arts in 2024. He has been an active musician, songwriter, audio engineer, and live sound technician since 2016. Born and raised in Lowell, Ryne has been a part of the local community and graduated from Lowell High School in 2017. He currently runs Upstairs, Man recording studio, and co-owns West Michigan record label Midwest Gold Records. Musically he has been a part of various projects including: The Preservers, The Ryne Experience, The Alien Dogs, The Soods, Vernon Potts, RyneShyne, and Clarke, Reed, Meadows.
Natasha Marsh
Program Assistant
Natasha Marsh (she/her) joined Lowell Arts in 2024. She graduated from Hope College in 2024 with a degree in Studio Art and Business. During her time at Hope, she was selected as the Borgeson Artist in Residence Assistant to artist Nick Fagan. Her background includes graphic design, painting, and illustration.
Theatre Intern
Brian Race
2024–2025 Theatre Intern​
Brain Race (he/him) is a 2022 Forest Hills Eastern High School graduate, with previous acting credits such as Danny Zuko in "Grease" and Rafiki in "The Lion King." He's very excited to meet people, try new roles, and make connections in the theatre industry!
Board of Directors
Sue Clements
Board Vice-Chair
Sue Clements (she/her) has been involved with the Lowell Arts Music Committee since 2017 and joined the board in 2021. Most of her adult life she’s been involved in fiber arts. Early on through weaving and more recently through quilting. Sue’s excited to be part of this thriving arts organization and learns something new each time she walks into Lowell Arts. Presently, she’s involved in the Lowell Arts Music Committee and the Fallasburg Committee.
Lyssara Ford
Lyssara Ford (she/her) brings community leadership and performing arts experience to the Lowell Arts board. Her background includes management and IT support before becoming a stay-at-home parent. Lyssara's passion for theater and storytelling drives her commitment to connecting communities through the arts. Her nonprofit leadership experience and skills in public speaking and fundraising make her a valuable addition to furthering Lowell Arts' mission through humor and meaningful connection. She currently serves on the Lowell Arts Theatre Committee.​​​​​​​​
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Laurie Kuna
​Laurie Kuna (she/her) brings a diverse background in education, literature, and the performing arts to the Lowell Arts board. A retired High School English Teacher, Laurie is also a published Author and Editor. Her commitment to community service extends beyond the arts, as she serves as the VP of the Lowell Area School Board of Education. Laurie's dedication to Lowell Arts is multifaceted, contributing her talents as an Actor, Director, and Committee Member in the organization's Theatre program.
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Mary Tobin
Board Secretary
Mary Tobin (she/her) has served as a board member since 2015. She has a degree from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design and was a senior graphic designer at Group 243 Design/Ann Arbor, Westinghouse Corporate Design/Pittsburgh, Richardson-Smith/Columbus, and Williams Group/Grand Rapids. Now retired, she is a fiber artist, works on graphic design projects, and volunteers at her local elementary school. She is proud to contribute to the creative energy at Lowell Arts by making quilts for the 2021 and 2023 Fallasburg Arts Festival raffles and providing graphic design support.
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​Julie DeVoe
Board Treasurer
Julie Claire DeVoe (she/her) is a second generation artist entrepreneur who co-owns an independent jewelry store, Chimera Design, in downtown Lowell. Julie and her husband Cliff have owned their business for 22 years and also reside in the city of Lowell. This is her first time being a Board member, although she has been involved with Lowell Arts in many different capacities over the years. She currently serves as Treasurer and Lead support for the Finance Committee.​​​​​
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Rob Freund
Board Chair
Rob Freund (he/him) has been involved with Lowell Arts Theater since 2005. He is also passionate about the human experience, having earned BA in History from GVSU and earning a post-baccalaureate certificate in Paralegal Studies from Davenport University. He is a founding member of the Grand Rapids based comedy troupe, Public Domain. Rob currently serves on the Lowell Arts Theater Committee.
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Sharon Oleniczak
Sharon Oleniczak (she/her) brings extensive design expertise to the Lowell Arts board. Her professional background includes a career as a Designer at Newell Brands Design, from which she has since retired. Sharon continues to make significant contributions to the creative community being on the leadership team of the West Michigan Graphic Design Archive. She is also an active participant on the Lowell Arts Gallery Committee.​​
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Erin Foltz
Erin Foltz (she/her) was connected to Lowell Arts even before moving to the area over a decade ago. As a naturalist at the Wittenbach Wege Center and journalist for Lowell's First Look, she combines education and communication expertise with community involvement. Erin currently serves on the board of Lowell Pride and the Lowell YMCA. Her skills in volunteer coordination, nonprofit management, and fundraising, along with her dedication to education and community service, align perfectly with Lowell Arts' mission of cultural enrichment.
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Keith Golinski
Keith Golinski (he/him) brings film and video production expertise to the Lowell Arts board as a 24-year business owner and arts educator at Grand Valley State University. His background includes directing the Thriller! Chiller! film festival and creating feature films for streaming services, including one shot in Lowell. As a 12-year resident with children in local schools, Keith has deep community ties. His technical and marketing skills will help promote Lowell Arts events while advancing the organization's artistic initiatives.
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Rodney Terry
Rodney Terry (he/him) brings extensive non-profit leadership experience to the Lowell Arts board, having worked with several Grand Rapids social service organizations including Network 180, where he currently works part-time. His connection to the arts includes involvement with the Michigan Ballet Academy and personal pursuits as a fiddle player. Rod's diverse background in social services and the arts, coupled with his flexible schedule and enthusiasm, make him a valuable and ready contributor to Lowell Arts' mission and programs.​​
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