Our Board
Kris Bella, Co-Founder and Board Member (She/Her)
After assisting youth with severe mental health and drug and alcohol issues for many years, Kris developed a passion for prevention and community mobilization. Her love of art and desire to help others find their passion and purpose in life motivated her to co-found Free Arts NW. Being able to tap into one’s creative self, can bring about a level of change and transformation that may have seemed previously unattainable. Kris has had a love of art from a very young age and was supported by her family to fully embrace her creative outlets. She fully enjoys all visual arts, with a special interest in three-dimensional art creations.
Michael Clark (He/Him) – Vice Chair
Michael Clark is an artist and licensed art therapist. He was raised in Montana where he developed his passion for the outdoors, drawing, painting, and sculpture. He directed his life by unifying three main areas of interest; community, nature, and creativity. Through this combination he worked in drawing, sculpture and stonework. He also served as an art therapist with teens in recovery, and children coping with physical illness and trauma. He developed a therapeutic outdoor program for children in residential treatment and provided therapy in the public schools. Travel and engagement with a people from a variety of cultures strongly influence his current artwork and focus on community engagement.
Emily Trum (She/Her) – Board Chair
Emily Trum is a licensed clinical art therapist who works with children and young adults. She is a born and raised Oregonian who has lived in Portland the last 15 years. In her free time, Emily enjoys painting, writing and supporting a grass roots board game company with her partner.
Marie Shier (They/She)- Secretary
Marie Shier (they/she) is a cultural worker, activist and administrator who moved to Portland in 2017. They have worked in the arts and nonprofit world for their whole career, ranging from programming, event planning, finance and even dipping their toes into fundraising and development at a mental health organization. They absolutely believe in the power of art and its ability to heal and change lives. In 2018, they earned a Master’s Certificate in Arts and Culture Strategy from University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with a B.A. in Art History and Latin American Studies from University of San Francisco in 2012. When not working enthusiastically in the non-profit world, they enjoy traveling, gardening and reading.
Tamra Dickinson (She/Her) – Treasurer
Tamra has enjoyed living in East Portland for over 30 years. With an MA in Organization Development, Tamra’s career spanned outdoor education, wellness, and human resources. She is inspired by the community that Free Arts NW builds. As an Outward Bound instructor, she spent a decade with diverse youth programs facilitating leadership development, self-reliance, self-esteem, care for others, and concern for the environment. She has experienced how the Free Arts NW principles of belonging, accomplishment, interdependence, and generosity support the mission for underserved youth finding their creativity, passion, and voice. Tamra is excited to use her background that includes budgets and contracts in a new role of grant writing to support Free Arts NW programs and youth in our community.
Romana Sen (They/She) – Board Member
Romana Sena, also known by her artist name, Romonsta, is a Filipina arts educator serving Multnomah and surrounding counties. She is a board member of Free Arts NW, an aanhpi artist of jellyfish cup collective, a studio member of paisley studios and a teaching artist with Arts For Learning.
Hannah White (She/Her) – Executive Director
Hannah is a Massachusetts native who made Portland her home in 2007. She worked in community mental health for eleven years in various roles, including residential administrator and clinical service coordinator. She earned an MPS in Art Therapy in 2016. In addition to supporting Free Arts NW’s program and volunteer development, she currently works with populations of all ages as a visiting Art Therapist with Earthtones NW. She enjoys vintage arts and crafts books, knitting, collage and upcycled art as well as gardening, cooking and Googling rare medical conditions. You will probably end up seeing pictures of the cats that she and her husband treat like children.