Welcome to The Art Center of Ramona

Since 2014, we've been a vibrant hub for our rural community, connecting artists of all skill levels through engaging classes and workshops led by professional instructors. Our programs have garnered such enthusiasm that many artists return every session. Join us for enriching art classes and camps for both children and adults, and don’t miss our exciting exhibitions, including the annual RUSD art showcase!

Mission Statement

The Art Center is an inclusive community art space where art as a process is paramount and where the community and the artist are put into direct contact.

Vision Statement

We are interested in creating a rural community art space where Traditional, Expressive, and Conceptual Artists can encounter one another and the larger Community. Envision a place where the art is paramount and the atmosphere is intelligent, educational, and welcoming; a professional place where Local Artists, Visiting Artists, Emerging Artists, and Established Artists mingle. Our goal is to build an artistic community through socialization, thereby mitigating the often isolating effects of working as an artist in a rural area. Imagine a large space for artists to work, classes to be taught, exhibitions, and art talks to be held. The Art Center should have a salon atmosphere where deep conversations about art as a verb could be had. It would be a place where you don't just walk through but linger and process what has been seen and made, a place where you can come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of all art. Through this portal, we will strengthen the Artistic and economic aspects of all the Arts in the local Community.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

The Art Center believes that art can bridge cultures and promote social cohesion by cutting through the barriers of all socio-economic conditions. No person, regardless of age, creed, ethnicity, or orientation, will be excluded from the Art Center's activities.

The Art Center (TAC) has a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech. In addition. TAC is pursuing partnerships with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as all marginalized communities. The Art Center believes that art expands opportunities for understanding, promoting both belonging and self-worth.

Meet Our Team

The Board of Directors and Other Essential Team Members

Founder/Director

Helen Wilson

Helen is a Fine Artist and educator with a Master of Fine Arts from The San Francisco Art Institute and a Bachelor's in English from the United States International University, which she attended in San Diego and Bushey, England. She also attended the Free Academy of the Arts in Den Haag, The Netherlands. She has taught Design & Composition, Introduction to Art, Foundations in Drawing, Figure Drawing, Color Theory, Sculpture, and Foundry at Palomar College. She is the facilitator of the Artists Group Tuesday Nights. Helen is actively pursuing a full and equitable creative life for all.

Board Member/ Grant Writier/Second Saturday Coordinator.

Cindy Dodson

Cindy is involved in social justice action and teaches others about the causes and consequences of social injustice. Her travels throughout Asia have given her a broad appreciation of all cultures. Cindy identifies as mixed ethnicity from indigenous peoples of the Americas. Her degree in Sociology and studies of the arts have been beneficial to the Art Center. Cindy brings an understanding of how human nature, cultural beliefs, and the arts affect communities.

Board Member/Treasurer

Tracy Potter

Tracy studied Art and Elementary Education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Her art education had an emphasis in fiber, but her love was graphite and charcoal drawing. She found it hard and scary to use color, so she steered away from painting of any kind.

When her children were little, she started quilting using traditional patterns and fabrics. Suddenly it was fun to play with color. In fabric, it did not intimidate her. Tracy's interest in color and design led her to more modern patterns. And when her focus turned to emotion, memory, and storytelling, her love of art and fabric converged to become Fiber Art.

Board Member

Heidi Schodtfeldt

Heidi proudly represents the voice of the amateur artists in the community. Her degree in Psychology and a Master's in Social Work support her passion for considering diverse perspectives and the impact of art on human beings. Art is an integral part of her day job as a Middle School History, English, and ELD teacher, where she is constantly amazed by the talent, courage, and creativity of young artists and writers.

Board Member/Advertising

Cathryn Beeks

Cathryn is a mixed media artist, photographer, and musician. She launched her brand "Listen Local" in San Diego in 2003 to highlight local musicians, artists, and creative people/places/things through her podcast, web show, and growing network. These days, she resides in Ramona, where her focus is on her 20+-year podcast, The Listen Local Show, writing songs, making art, and upcycled fashion.

Board Member/Instruction Coordinator

Hillary Griffith

As the Instructor Coordinator for The Art Center, Hillary creates and maintains the class schedules for multiple concurrent projects. Her background as Director of Operations for nationwide companies, combined with her Bachelor of Arts degree and Teaching Certification, lends to her ability to appreciate the importance of personal growth and development for everyone. Hillary served as the Julian Star Fest Coordinator for several years, introducing the community to free public star parties. Her work as part of a Therapy Dog International team (she and her dog) increased her awareness of the importance of community enrichment.

Board Member/Online Marketing

Dawn-Marie Sardiñas

Dawn graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice and took her first job after university in marketing & promotions for an independent Celtic and World Music record label. She moved to NYC to pursue her singing career and left 15 years later, after establishing a successful martial arts school on the Upper East Side and earning her 5th-degree black belt in traditional Taekwon-do. Her entrepreneurial spirit brought her to Southern California in 2014. She continues to train and develop herself personally and professionally, focusing on online marketing and event management.

(Photo credit: Arash Afshar)

Board Member

Kathleen Cook

Textiles have always held a fascination for Kathleen.
Weaving became a passion when Mingei International Museum presented an exhibit highlighting their textile collection, including the work of Eve Gulick.
She has been weaving off and on since the late ‘90s and continually finds limitless possibilities to explore in the realm of weaving.
Her joy is to share the sense of awe and wonder creativity engenders, which is why she weaves and why she serves on the board of The Art Center of Ramona.

Board Member

Joel Cook

"In this Universe that we live in, Everything is Extraordinary, and the Extraordinary is Ordinary, found everywhere."

JCook

Press

Charlene Pulsonetti

Charlene received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. She has participated in shows from coast to coast, including a solo show at The Gallery at Warner Springs, and has served as Artist-In-Residence at Petrified Forest National Park. Her work can be found in the collections of the Boston Public Library, Petrified Forest National Park, and Gila Cliff Dwellings National Park. She is also a self-published author and an award-winning journalist with a background in small business marketing.

Instructor Volunteer

Marsha Cook

Marsha Cook is a native San Diegan, now living in Ramona. After thirty years in the environmental field, Marsha is now enjoying retirement and living a creative life. Environmental issues often influence her art and creativity. She also loves trying new media. She earned a Professional Certificate in Art and the Creative Process at UCSD in 2018. Marsha enjoys teaching a variety of classes for adults and children that encourage creativity, including mixed-media recycling, book arts, and children’s art camps. She also volunteers, teaching kids cursive handwriting.

Helping Hands

Richard Madiera

For many years, Richard has noticed, been delighted by, and embraced the absolute wonder and joy of Found Objects. As a retired anthropologist, filmmaker, citizen diplomat, and humanitarian activist, he sees life as a sublime and spectacular journey. Forty-six countries visited, three times across Siberia, three kids, seven grandkids, and much love, with bridges built along the way…he is grateful.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS