2024 conference presenters & panelists
Alison Watson
Alison Watson has served as the Director of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) since 2018, following seven years of serving as the Programs Manager for the agency. She brings more than 20 years of expertise within Michigan’s arts and cultural sector, having worked at various nonprofits both on a local and state level. Ms. Watson developed a passion for the arts at a young age and has worked to encourage an inclusive arts environment in Michigan ever since.
Phil Lynch
“Songs that hit your heart!” is how one festival organizer described Phil Lynch’s joyful mix of life-affirming music. With a style similar to James Taylor and a voice often compared to Randy Newman, Phil's songs about life, love, and time are proven to make audiences think, laugh . . . even cry. Hailing from Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, Phil is widely known for his ability to both entertain and inspire. Delighted listeners often remark on the personal connections Phil makes through stories and anecdotes, ranging from thought-provoking to downright funny. Well-known throughout the upper Midwest, Phil has received standing ovations not only from his audiences, but also from festival organizers, theater managers, even the host of Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café, who observed, "You can't help but sway to his infectious, smiley groove!"
Tiina Morin
Tiina Morin has over 35 years of experience in arts and culture. Since 2010 she has been the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Manager. In that time, she facilitated a ten-year Arts and Culture Master Plan, established its first Public Art Policy and has overseen countless major public art and cultural projects for the City. She also led the initial efforts in the creation of the Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance and served on its board. Previously, she worked as an educator at the Marquette Regional History Center and the Swedish American Museum in Chicago, where she co-designed the nation’s first Children’s Museum of Immigration. A former performing artist, Morin co-founded Chicago’s first Contact Improvisation Dance Company and has taught creative movement and world dance. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Michigan State University.
Christopher Germain
Christopher brings nearly 15 years of professional experience in Michigan and Ohio spanning community and economic development, legislative affairs, politics, and regulatory experience to the LSCP. A born and raised Michigander, Christopher got his first taste of UP life as a student at Northern Michigan University and has advocated on behalf of the region ever since. He has a bachelors in Public Administration (NMU) and a master’s in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. He also holds accreditations in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and from the National Development Council as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) and is active with professional organizations including the Michigan Planning Association and the Michigan Economic Developers Association.
Kristine Granger
Kristine earned her Master of Fine Arts degree and Women’s Studies Certificate from Stony Brook University, NY. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, focusing in Photography, from University of Oregon-Eugene, School of Architecture and Allied Arts. She also received a Certificate of Completion from The Paris Fashion Institute in Paris France and an Associates of Science in Fashion Design from Plaza Three Academy in Phoenix Arizona. She is currently Art Faculty and Fine Arts Coordinator for Bay College in Escanaba MI. Published in the 2nd edition of, Elements of Photography, by artist and author Angela Faris-Belt. Granger was a 2020 & 2022, Artist-in-Residence at Chateau d’Orquevaux in Orquevaux, France and a recipient of The Denis Diderot Award. Her sculpture, jouissance and, the red one, created at the residency are now part of their permanent collection and on permanent display in the Chateau. In 2022, she was an artist-in-residence on Mackinac Island and the recipient of the grand prize for Poetic Visions of Mackinac. Kristine is an interdisciplinary artist who investigates memory and exhibits both nationally and internationally. In 2023 Granger established, Rock Street Artist Residency, at her home in Marquette MI.
Mark Bevins
Mark Bevins and his wife Sue were born and raised near the Detroit area and have been married for 31 years. They have four children, and three grandchildren. They have spent our entire life commuting to the Upper Peninsula to indulge in camping, hunting, fishing and general indulgence of a wildlife area that contains some of the purest air, water, soil, and forest, found anywhere on earth, and adjacent to one amazing, and the largest single body of freshwater. Upon retiring from their careers in Manufacturing engineering and School food service directing, they purchased what is now known, via their D.B.A. as the Historic Thunder Bay Inn.
Sharon Maier
Sharon Maier, M.A., CFRE is a seasoned nonprofit leader and dynamic speaker with over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, development, and nonprofit management. As the Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Cornerstone Schools, Sharon has played a pivotal role in raising millions of dollars to support educational initiatives and improve outcomes for students in underserved communities. Sharon’s passion for philanthropy and her commitment to advancing the missions of the organizations she supports is evident in every aspect of her work. She continues to be a driving force in the nonprofit sector, dedicated to creating meaningful impact and fostering growth and innovation in fundraising practices.
Marcus Robyns
Marcus Robyns is Professor and University Archivist at NMU. He worked as a professional archivist in Oregon and Texas before coming to NMU in 1997. His research interests include primary source literacy and labor history in the Upper Peninsula. He is the author of Functional Analysis in Archival Appraisal (Lanham, Maryland: 2015). Marcus is a certified archivist and served as Regent for Exam Administration, Academy of Certified Archivists.
Sarah Rice
With 16 years of experience working for the Veterans Administration and a passion for mental health awareness Sarah Rice’s focus is on the arts and art advocacy; leading others to a deeper understanding of the self and enhanced self-esteem. Sarah is Founder and Chair of the Iron Mountain Public Arts Advisory formed in April 2022 and approved by City Council. President of Borderland Arts, a board member for the UP Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Braumart, member of the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan and Northland Women for Education as well as member of the Dickinson County Planning Commission. Originally from Ann Arbor, Sarah moved to the Upper Peninsula in the fall of 2018 after having spent many summers here in Dickinson County visiting family who originated in Vulcan and Kingsford. Along with her husband Walter Rice and two sons, Joe and Max they have made Iron Mountain their home.
Barb Kramer
Barb has been a Board Member of Lake Antoine Park Partners, a 501(c)3, since its inception in 2017. She focuses on developing funding sources, enjoys researching new ways to create interest in the park, and marketing Lake Antoine Park Partners and their events via social media. She served as Treasurer for the organization. She also served as Capital Campaign Chair and raised $70,000 to restore Lake Antoine Beach and make it accessible to persons with mobility challenges. She has been an active volunteer as well as the event planner and fundraiser for K.O.A.L.A. (Kites Over Awesome Lake Antoine, 2022 to present) as well as other projects, which bring people to the park in all seasons and help to fund improvements at Lake Antoine Park. Barb is currently a Dickinson County Commissioner, first elected to office in 2013. She serves as Vice-Chair of the County Board and Chair of Finance Committee, and is assigned to 17 other Boards and Committees, including Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), Dickinson-Iron Health Department Board, Dickinson-Iron County Community Services Agency (DICSA), Dickinson-Iron Community Collaborative, Planning Commission and others. She facilitated planning of ADA-accessible beach and shower/bathrooms for Lake Antoine Park, as well as the Medical Examiner facility. Barb worked for twenty years in the Wisconsin Technical College System as a health programs admissions counselor and adjunct instructor. She holds a master’s degree in counseling from UW-Milwaukee. She is married and lives in Iron Mountain. Her presentation will take you on the journey of Lake Antoine Park Partners to restore the park and what it takes to re-create Lake Antoine Park as a special place and the shining jewel of Dickinson County.
Susan Roll
Sue is an engineer by education, a life coach by training, a costumer by inclination, a planner by necessity, an arts administrator by experience, and an out-going optimist. She has lived and worked overseas for many years of her career which has included 19 years with Intel Corporation, creating a successful coaching and consulting practice in the Upper Peninsula, and, over the last 10 years, has been involved in her community’s arts and culture world including the position of an executive director of the Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba. She is currently President of the Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance, a non-profit that generates connections and community prosperity across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through arts and culture. She is passionate about people and their connections with and through arts and culture.
Susan Burack
Susan Burack has been getting people moving in different ways for over 70 years as teacher of modern dance, founder of Dance Kaleidoscope (IN), dancer in residence in schools with the Michigan Dance Alliance and Dance Project for the Handicapped (sic), dance therapist, and recently retired leader of Gentle Exercise for Seniors, etc. She is a 40 year resident of the Copper Country, director of Summer Arts Camp for 13 years, former Board Member of the Copper Country Community Arts Council, former arts columnist for the Daily Mining Gazette, former Coordinator of Mini-Grants for the Western UP and grant panelist for the MI Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. She served as UP Coordinator of the MI Assoc of Community Arts Agencies and Rural Rider with the Rural Arts and Culture Program. She is former member of the Hancock City Council and Planning Commission, and Houghton County Planning Commission. She is a community activist who tries to make a difference.