Our Team
nelly pilares, Executive Director
Nelly has resided in the Walla Walla Valley since 2014. With more than 15 years of experience as a professional actress, puppeteer, and visual artist, Nelly’s love of the arts has taken her all over Peru, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and the United States. She holds a doctorate degree in Hispanic Literature, Cultures and Linguistics from the University of Minnesota, as well as a B.A. in Arts Education. Since moving to the USA, she has had the honor of serving as an Educational Director, Artistic Director, and Executive Director for multiple nonprofit organizations and has also taught Spanish at various universities, colleges, and middle schools. She is passionate about arts, puppets, theater, cultures and languages, her family, and our unique, diverse community in Walla Walla.
Kristie Coleman, Program Director
Kristie is originally from Anchorage, AK where she managed the Early Learning Program for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska. After moving to Walla Walla with her family, she taught preschool part time for Walla Walla Community College while she raised her daughters and son. Kristie has been involved with Picture Lab for the past 11 years serving as a volunteer, Advocate, and now as Program Director. She enjoys spending time with her children, supporting local art and artisans, reading, and knitting.
sarah wahlman, program specialist
An early transplant from Alaska, Sarah Wahlman has put roots down in Walla Walla and plans to stay. Through Carnegie Picture Lab, she has discovered a new love for teaching and art. Besides exploring her artistic talents, Sarah uses her time to devour any books and recipes she can find. Walks in Pioneer Park’s aviary and rose garden inspire and connect her to nature. She hopes to continue along a path of art and education and eventually write and illustrate a children’s book.
art specialists:
jennifer stone and carla houchin
board of directors
Cheryl Heller, President
Before leaving the workforce in favor of community volunteering, Cheryl used her B.A. in Rhetoric/Communications from the University of CA at Davis working in marketing and special events, as well as having her own side business designing collateral materials for nonprofits. She has been volunteering at Picture Lab since 2001 as presenter, advocate, Foundry clay room leader and Curriculum Committee member. Cheryl and her husband Stan raised their two children, Gregg and Renee, Wa-Hi graduates class of ’12 and ’17, here in the town that’s so nice, they named it twice.
Matt Banderas, Vice-President
Matt is Director of Philanthropy for the Walla Walla Community College Foundation. He is naturally curious and enjoys blending his passions for exploration, art, social causes, the environment and physical activity whenever possible. Matt has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Studio Art from Whitman College. He enjoys collaborating with others to share stories and knowledge through art. He's worked as a professional photographer for more than 20 years. His partner Margarita, two children and he enjoy exploring cooking, fútbol (soccer), birding, cycling, gardening and music together.
Noel Sanders, Secretary
Noel has been a volunteer advocate with Carnegie Picture Lab since 2011. She currently works for the Port of Walla Walla, Benton Franklin Walla Walla Counties Good Roads & Transportation Association, and Washington State Good Roads and Transportation Association. She has served as a scouting den leader, coached soccer, participated in community theater, sung in church choirs, and cheered from many a sideline. She also enjoys playing video and board games, watching movies, camping, traveling and staying involved with her kids and supporting their interests.
Becky Waggoner-Schwartz, Treasurer
Becky is currently a grant administrator and Program Coordinator for WSU GEAR UP programs in Walla Walla, a college and career readiness program. She is a founding member of the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care, a past board member of Innovations Charter School, a leadership trainer for the Rural Development Initiative, and a Sherwood Trust Leadership graduate. She and her husband enjoy hiking, working on their yard and traveling to visit their 4 grown children who live across the US. A past “picture-lady” she looks forward to using her skill set and legacy knowledge of the valley and rural communities to participate in all things Picture Lab!
Jay Anderson
Jay is a Walla Walla native. He attended culinary school at the Seattle Art Institute before going on to receive degrees in Interdisciplinary Visual Art and Art History at the University of Washington. He then moved to New York City and completed a Master of Fine Arts degree from The School of Visual Arts. After graduate school Jay was a studio assistant for the Painter and Photographer Marilyn Minter while also pursuing his own work as an artist. In 2012 Jay returned to Walla Walla to work alongside his family at the Walla Walla Foundry and Foundry Vineyards. Jay is a business owner, a practicing artist and a winemaker. Outside of his work in Art and Wine he enjoys cooking, working in his garden and spending time with his wife Kelsee and their two sons Jackson and Lucas.
Cia Cortinas
Cia was born and raised in Walla Walla. She's been working with children for 16 years. She taught pre school in Portland Oregon for 9 years, pre kindergarten for 3 years in Medellin Colombia, and bilingual education in Walla Walla. She is a 3rd grade bilingual teacher in Milton Freewater Oregon. Cia was a founding member of COCOA, a 2020 graduate of Sherwood Trust's Rural Leadership Project, creator of Zero Proof Walla Walla, and founder of Walla Walla Pride Festival.
Amanda Leigh Evans
Amanda is an artist, educator, and cultivator seeking a deeper understanding of our social and ecological interdependence. For 5 years before moving to Walla Walla, Amanda founded and cultivated the Living School of Art, an intergenerational art collective and alternative art school in an affordable living complex in Portland. Additionally, for 7 years she was a core collaborator at the King School Museum of Contemporary Art, a contemporary art museum inside a public elementary school in Portland. Amanda holds an MFA in Art and Social Practice from Portland State University and a Post-Baccalaureate in Ceramics from Cal State Long Beach. She teaches ceramics and social practice as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art at Whitman College.
Josh Gonzales
Josh is currently a member of Development team at Whitman College. Prior to joining the college, he spent 20 years working in nonprofit management, operations, program development and fundraising roles in the Walla Walla Valley and for national organizations based in New York and California. Josh grew up in Bellingham, WA and holds a BS in Architectural Design from Portland State University. He and his wife, Carrie, have 2 daughters and enjoy traveling and attending concerts.
Kynde Kiefel
Kynde is the Director of the Sheehan Gallery at Whitman College. She enjoys working with Whitman students, faculty, and staff, as well as local schools and community groups on shows and other artistic endeavors. Kynde enjoys supporting the arts in Walla Walla and collaborating with her husband, Jeremy, along with their son Kyro and daughter Vella. Kynde teaches cartooning and other artistic practices to local elementary and middle school students and enjoys creating comics, writing songs, and podcasting about movies.
Tia Kramer
Tia is an artist, social choreographer and educator whose artwork transforms everyday gestures of human connection into opportunities for collective meaning making. She has an MFA in Art and Social Practice from Portland State University and degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Macalester College. Tia also leads the Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition's Colectivo de Arte Social which initiates creative projects that seek to bridge gaps of divisiveness in our community. She finds delight in her partner, Tim, and her wildly imaginative kids Harrison and Edie.
Rachna Sinnott
Rachna is the Director of Grants & Foundation Relations at Whitman College. As a liberal arts graduate, she has a great appreciation for the arts, although her academic training is in science. Rachna has been involved with Carnegie Picture Lab since 2014, and this is her second stint on the board. She has served on the Development Committee for many years, helping with grant writing and fundraising for the organization. When not working or volunteering, Rachna enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband, two teenagers, and sweet dog.
Steve Wells
Steve is originally from Milwaukee, WI, but moved to Walla Walla 12 years ago from New York City. He was involved in the restaurant scene in Manhattan and moved to Walla Walla to learn how to make wine. He is the owner/winemaker at Time & Direction and has 3 children, 17, 15, and 13 who have all enjoyed the Carnegie Picture lab program when they were in elementary school. Besides winemaking, Steve is a musician and graphic designer and enjoys skiing, snowboarding and Crossfit.
FEBRUARY 2023 CARNEGIE PICTURE LAB BOARD RETREAT