Skylar Browning lives and writes in Missoula, where he currently serves as editor of the Missoula Independent, western Montana's award-winning alternative weekly publication. He previously served as arts editor of the Independent, where he was awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for arts Criticism in 2008, and has also written for America Online, Discovery Channel Online and the Associated Press. Now he's excited to continue that tradition as a member of the board.
Haley Hanson joins the MAR board with over 10 years of experience among a broad range of non-profit organizations. A life-long sculptor, illustrator and painter, she owns a Missoula-based graphic design and illustration business, Wildlife & Whimsy- specializing in work with non-profits and wildlife conservation organizations. She is looking forward to helping pave the way for artists to enjoy what the refuge has to offer.
Casey Charles is Professor of English at the University of Montana, Missoula and the former chair of the department. He is the author of The Sharon Kowalski Case: Lesbian and Gay Rights on Trial,nominated for a Publishing Triangle Award in 2004, and Controlled Burn, a poetry chapbook published in 2007. In August, 2007, he spend a month in Basin at MAR, working on poetry and the revision of a novel manuscript, The Trials of Christopher Mann, which is currently in circulation.
Nurturing Artists- Enriching Communities
Gary Craft is currently the Treasurer for the Montana Artist Refuge. He has a degree in business accounting\administration and recently retired from the Boulder school districts after 30 years. He has been involved in music since fourth grade and has expanded into painting, sculpting and carving. Last November Gary was elected Mayor of Boulder after running a successful write-in campaign. He feels very excited about working with the second generation board members and looking forward to the continued success of MAR.
Tim Willey writes poetry and teaches in Great Falls, Montana, where he is on staff with Great Falls Public Schools. He teaches literature and writing at Charles M. Russell High School, and has worked with the Honors program and the Theatre Arts Department at Great Falls High School. He has also worked in leadership positions with professional organizations and associations in the education community. Tim was a Refugee in the summer of 2009.
Elizabeth Kelly moved to Montana from central Minnesota 10 years ago and finally settled in Basin for the outdoor recreational opportunities and for the strong sense of community. Her main focus is in music, primarily traditional folk. As a board member, Elizabeth is one of the primary masterminds and creative forces behind Strudel and Strings and plays a strong role connecting the Refuge and the residents to Basin and the surrounding communities.