Emily Bulger
Board President

Emily sees the ZACC as a site of great growth and opportunity - so many creative projects, so many talented and dedicated people interested in teaching, sharing, and appreciating art. Originally from Great Falls, Emily moved to Missoula to attend the University and, other than a couple of stints in Spain, has called Missoula home for almost 10 years. When she has a chance, Emily enjoys reading, writing, photography, going on meandering walks, traveling to places new and familiar, and playing with paper.
emily@zootownarts.org

Ryan Douglas
Board Vice President

Ryan has been officially involved with the ZACC, as a board member and a member of the development committee since the autumn of 2010. Ryan was, however, one of the fortunate members of the Missoula community to witness the birth of the ZACC in 2008. Ryan was raised outside of Portland, Oregon but moved to Missoula to study Cultural Anthropology at the University of Montana and now considers the mountains, valleys and rivers of Western Montana his home. Currently Ryan advises local and regional businesses, nonprofits and governments on their technology and infrastructure needs and is employed by First Call Computer Solutions. When Ryan isn’t participating in the community, he can be found playing music, fishing or hiking with his two dogs, Lucky and Ringo.

Jamie Herring
Treasurer

Jamie grew up in Bethel, Alaska with a family that nurtured creativity and art as a way to connect to her community, emotions and spaces. After bouncing around the world and the west, she landed in Missoula where she met her husband, Josh, earned two accounting degrees, and obtained her CPA license. When she is not wondering how the heck she ended up as an accountant, Jamie can be found barefoot in her garden, fly-fishing the waters surrounding Missoula, throwing disc in Pattee Canyon, or stalking elk in the mountains. Jamie is proud to be a part of ZACC because it provides her community with a place to connect, express, explore and
create!

Chris Jackson
Secretary

Chris Jackson has lived, studied, played and worked in Missoula, Montana since 1999. After receiving both a BA & MA in English Literature from UM, Chris taught as an English Composition adjunct instructor before joining the administration at Missoula International School (MIS). In 2010, Chris decided to leave her position as Development Director at MIS, where she had worked for five years, in order to spend her days focused on creative design. Thus, her freelance graphic design and writing business—MT Chrysalis Design + Consulting —emerged. In addition to being a proud member of the ZACC executive committee, Chris is the Co-Director of the New Leaders Council-Montana chapter having been a fellow for Missoula's inaugural New Leaders Council Institute in 2010. When she is not volunteering or working, Chris enjoys going on adventures with her husband and daughter in their backyard, around the state, and
across the country. She is an avid painter and illustrator, gardener, skier and reader. Chris speaks Spanish and is a student of Brazilian Portuguese. She and her husband are dedicated international travelers and look forward to sharing that experience with their infant daughter as she ages.

Shari Strachan
Board Member

Originally from Billings, Shari has lived and traveled all over the world. She is a supporter and enthusiast of local art and local music. Shari has a really sweet family with her husband Dan, two daughters, two doggies and a cat. She is the Director of Operations of United Way of Missoula County and an active volunteer with several Missoula nonprofit organizations and in the Missoula County Public Schools. Shari enjoys hanging out with ZACC volunteers, members and enthusiasts because it gives her the chance to hang out with the cool kids.

Scott Manning
Board Member

Scott is an artist working primarily in watercolor. He has painted since he was a teenager and entered Boise State University as an art major in 1977. Through life’s twists and turns, Scott has worked as a molecular biologist and a lawyer, but he has always continued to paint. He is currently trying to gradually retire from his day job and become a full-time artist.

Adelaide Gale Every
Board Member

What was intended as a two semester exchange at UM turned into a permanent relocation for Adelaide Gale Every, who has called Montana home since 2003. She is an artist working primarily in plexiglas and re-appropriated materials, a DJ (including KBGA 89.9fm and Jazz Night at the Badlander), and a musician. She has received training at Ball State University and the University of Montana. Adelaide has been a resident artist of the Ceretana Studios, the BSMT, and VonCommon Studios, and was a co-director of the Gold Dust Gallery. She has been affiliated with Open Field Artists, FayRay Artist Collective, Bellatrix, and currently VonCommon. She has shown her artwork in dozens of venues in Missoula, and hopes to begin showing regionally and nationally in the future. Adelaide is thrilled to be on the ZACC Board of Directors and involved with this amazing community center.

Jamie Lawrence
Board Member
Jamie Lawrence was born in Ohio, raised in TX and moved back to MT in 1991. She considers herself a native MT that just happened to be born in the wrong place. Jamie studied Middle Eastern History and Diplomacy at the U of M and graduated in 2001. In 2003 she began Last Best Candles a local handmade candle operation and sells her craft in stores across the country. Jamie is an active member of the local arts and crafts community and believes above all that you should buy handcrafted and locally made products whenever possible! Jamie is excited to join the Board of the ZACC as a means to help support the arts in the wonderful city of Missoula.

Jamie Lawrence
Board Member

Jamie Lawrence was born in Ohio, raised in Texas and moved back to Montana in 1991. She considers herself a native Montanan who just happened to be born in the wrong place! Jamie studied Middle Eastern History and Diplomacy at the U of M and graduated in 2001. In 2003 she began Last Best Candles, a local handmade candle operation, and sells her craft in stores across the country. Jamie is an active member of the local arts and crafts community and believes above all that you should buy handcrafted and locally made
products whenever possible! Jamie is excited to join the Board of the ZACC as a means to help support the arts in the wonderful city of Missoula.

Scott Manning
Board Member

Scott is an artist working primarily in watercolor. He has painted since he was a teenager and entered Boise State University as an art major in 1977. Through life’s twists and turns, Scott has worked as a molecular biologist and a lawyer, but he has always continued to paint. He has recently retired from his law practice and is trying to spend more time on art.

Melissa Hayes
Board Member

Melissa grew up in NE Ohio to a family of artists. She had her first set of professional colored pencils at the age of 5 and began sweeping the teddy bear coloring contest circuit at 6 years old. Although art has always been a love and a hobby, Melissa’s career passion was in the environmental field. She graduated with a BA in Environmental Studies from Hiram College in Ohio and promptly set off out West post-graduation. She has been an environmental educator in New Mexico and a park ranger in Colorado before
making her way to Montana to attend graduate & law school. Melissa
graduated in May 2010 from The University of Montana with an MS in
Environmental Studies and a law degree - with an emphasis on climate
change. Although she is licensed to practice law in the state of Montana, she is currently inactive in the field, and works for a forest collaborative - the Montana Forest Restoration Committee (MFRC). Outside of work, Melissa likes to participate in the laundry list of outdoor activities enjoyed by most Missoulians and is trying her hand at beekeeping. Melissa also has a love of handwriting and dreams of one day having her own font. She is excited to dust off her colored pencils and rekindle her artistic side as a member of the ZACC board.

Want to get involved and be considered for our Board of Directors?
Email us at info@zootownarts.org and we'll send you the appropriate paperwork to be considered.