Art Center East

Photography by: River & Wave

Darcy Dolge

Executive Director

Darcy serves as Art Center East’s Executive Director. She oversees program development and delivery, financial management, administration and human resources, and conservation of the organization’s artistic spaces in its historic 1913 building. She also takes charge of community relations, initiating and fostering strong relationships within the community on the local, regional, and statewide levels.

Darcy is also a local small-business owner. Blackberry Moon Creations and Wellness Services is a practice that includes sound and crystal therapy; Darcy also handcrafts ceremonial drums (integrating her Scandinavian heritage) as part of her focus on wellness. Learn more about her business and artwork at blackberrymooncreations.com.

Darcy’s coffee order: hot oat milk latte

Photography by: River & Wave

Jennifer Durr

Gallery Director

[email protected]

Jennifer serves as Art Center East’s Gallery Director. She oversees the fundamental workings of the Gallery Program -- including exhibits, marketing and design, artist recruitment, and artist relations for the Main Gallery, Orlaske Gallery, Gift Gallery, and Online Gallery. In addition, she is in charge of ACE's annual Handmade Holidays Makers Market.

Jennifer is also a local creative who impacts the community through her specialties in clay, acrylic, and upcycled materials. Learn more about her individual work at https://www.facebook.com/durrclayandcraft.

Jenn's coffee order: hot white chocolate pumpkin americano with a splash of cream

Photography by: River & Wave

Moira Madden

Outreach Director

[email protected]

Moira serves as Art Center East’s Outreach Director. She oversees the Community Music Program, which includes private music lessons as well as community ensembles, and the Artists in Rural Schools Program that brings arts opportunities to K-12 students across Eastern Oregon.

Moira is a lifelong lover of the performing arts and enjoys playing piano, singing in the local community choir, and taking ballet lessons. She is also an amateur performer in theatre productions. She credits her La Grande piano, choral, and ballet teachers with inspiring her passion for and joy in the performing arts from a very young age.

Moira’s coffee order: double-shot almond milk latte

Photography by: Nicole Felty

Haydyn Wallender

LEARNING COORDINATOR

[email protected]

Haydyn serves as Art Center East’s Learning Coordinator. She develops programs, recruits teaching artists, and manages ACE’s quarterly schedule of classes. She builds arts education partnerships, supervises volunteers, manages class facilities, and creates Take & Make Art Kits for all ages.

Haydyn is a local poet, photographer, and musician who is invested in and adores the arts. Learn more about her individual work at haydynwallender.com.

Haydyn’s beverage order: decaffeinated vanilla chai tea (hot or iced)

Photography by: Nicole Felty

Rikki Jo Hickey

Youth LEARNING COORDINATOR

[email protected]

Rikki serves as Art Center East’s Youth Learning Coordinator. She develops programs, recruits teaching artists, and manages ACE’s educational opportunities for children and teens. She works closely with the ACE Learning Coordinator, creating arts education partnerships, supervising volunteers, and managing class facilities. Rikki designs ACE’s Take & Make Art Kits for children and teens.

Rikki is also a local theatre artist who impacts the community through her specialties in Acting, Directing, Storytelling, and Community-Building from her theatre and performing arts studio in downtown La Grande. Learn more about her individual work and educational background at www.holisticacting.com.

Rikki’s beverage order: iced americano or hot London Fog with lavender

Photography by: Jennifer Durr

NICOLE FELTY

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

[email protected]

Nicole serves as Art Center East’s Communications Coordinator. She oversees marketing, promotion, and recruiting efforts to support ACE’s five core programs. She also helps to represent ACE in the wider community, fostering individual and group relationships.

Nicole is new to the community but active in local nonprofits in La Grande. She enjoys exploring Union County's art, cultural, and historic offerings.

Nicole’s coffee order: hot vanilla latte with caramel

Photography by: Jennifer Durr

TREVOR DURR

CERAMICS TECHNICIAN (SEASONAL)

[email protected]

Trevor grew up in Halfway, Oregon, where his appreciation for pottery began. In 2014, he received a Bachelor of Science in Art from Eastern Oregon University. He is an independent artist, an engine captain for the United States Forest Service, and a teaching artist with Art Center East. In between fighting wildland fires and chasing his two young children around, Trevor can be found creating or teaching in a ceramic studio.

He hand-throws a variety of pottery and slip casts and sculpts as well. Trevor’s main focus is primarily on porcelain clay with unique glazes, decal transfers, and gold luster.

Stay up to date with Trevor’s endeavors on Instagram: @trevordurrart.

Photography by: Nicole Felty

NORA CREWS

CERAMICS TECHNICIAN (SEASONAL)

[email protected]

Nora serves as one of Art Center East’s Ceramics Technicians. She manages the operations of the ACE Ceramics Studio, including equipment upkeep, kiln firings, etc. She also teaches several ACE ceramics classes per quarter.

A graphic design student at Oregon State University, Nora is also an artist who has practiced many mediums (though her favorite is ceramics). When she’s not in the studio, you’ll find her exploring the mountains or selling her pottery at the La Grande Farmers Market.

Nora’s beverage order: yerba mate

Thank you to River & Wave for sponsoring Art Center East and providing our staff with headshots and team photos.

Wednesday-Friday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Thank you to River & Wave for sponsoring Art Center East and providing our staff with headshots and team photos.

Wednesday-Friday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Wednesday-Friday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm