About Us
The mission of the Star Valley Arts Council is to present quality cultural and fine arts performances; to provide and support educational opportunities; to develop local talent and artistic appreciation for both visual and performing arts; and to advocate for the arts in Star Valley.
We are a non-profit organization, completely staffed with volunteer officers and board members from across Star Valley.
We draw on the expertise of our members who have a wide variety of backgrounds including small business owners, business executives, therapists, professional artists, attorneys, and homemakers.
We are proud of the unique variety of experiences, views, and perspectives held by our officers and board. It makes us a better organization and is a great benefit to the arts community.
We are continually looking for community friends and neighbors to participate in the Star Valley Arts Council, whether through serving on our board, as an officer, or volunteering at a show.
Please CONTACT US if you’d like to be an arts advocate in Star Valley!
Meet The Board
Ruth Bagley
Chairwoman
Ruth is retired from mortgage/real estate marketing and hotel management.
Joining the Star Valley Arts Council at the request of her husband Val Bagley to assume the responsibilities of the outgoing secretary has been a fun experience. She has appreciated the opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the arts and talented people in our beautiful community.
Tim Hale
Treasurer
A native of the Washington D.C. area, Tim moved to Afton with his wife, Kellie, and their children in 2016. Tim owns a financial planning business called Hale Financial Solutions, serves as chairman of the Lincoln County School District #2 Education Foundation, and enjoys being involved in a few other small business ventures. Tim enjoys reading, all-things-arts, exploring Wyoming’s great outdoors, exercise, and tracking down the best burger and fries in Star Valley.
Denise Christensen
Denise and her husband Kit moved to Star Valley in July of 2017 after Kit retired. They currently live in Bedford. Denise has worked in the mental health field for the past 40 years and currently owns a counseling practice, Star Valley Counseling, in Afton. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a PhD in Holistic Health Sciences, which she implements into her practice to promote wellness in all areas of a client’s life. Denise and Kit have four adult children and eleven grandchildren and are so happy to be closer to their daughter, Jordan Madsen and her family that live in Afton. Denise loves to travel and has visited many parts of the world on humanitarian and teaching missions, as well as for pleasure. She enjoys reading, camping, hiking, gardening, yoga, long morning walks, and serving others.
Val Chadwick Bagley
Val has been cartooning since he could hold a crayon! Born in Afton, Wyoming and raised in Southern California, he has been able to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a self-employed professional cartoonist for almost 30 years. With over 100 books illustrated, he is one of the top selling artists with his publisher, Covenant Communications. His cartoons can also be found regularly in the Star Valley Independent newspaper. Val, and his wife Ruth, are grateful for the opportunity to live in Star Valley among so many wonderful people.
Janet Erickson
Janet holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Brigham Young University where she studied vocal and choral performance and education. Janet studied Choral Conducting and Arranging with Dr. Mack Wilberg (Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square) as well as children’s music with international authority Jerry Jaccard. Janet is a Certified Kodály Music Educator and has taught private voice and children’s music lessons for 27 years. Janet sings with the Salt River Chamber Choir and is currently the musical director of the Three Rivers Youth Chorus, which welcomes children ages 10 through 18 from the Western Wyoming Region. She is the education, agriculture and copy editor for the Star Valley Independent. She and her husband have 7 children and run a small ranch in Bedford.
Deb Wolfley
Deb has served on the Star Valley Arts Council for approximately 12 years and lives in the Fairview area of Star Valley. Deb holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. He and his wonderful wife Marie, have 6 children and 15 grandchildren. Deb has spent most of his working career in Lincoln County Wyoming, having worked in law enforcement, government (county and municipal levels), a major company in the intermountain west, and has owned and operated his own business for about 17 years. Deb loves serving on the Star Valley Arts Council, working with great people, and helping bring quality arts programs to our area.
Brad Olsen
Brad Olsen is a recently retired Professor of Theatre Arts. He has been providing technical direction, teaching, designing, and directing theatre professionally, and in higher education, for the past 35 years. He has taught at Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Northern Colorado, and Snow College. He served as Chair for both the Snow College Theatre Department and the Snow College Dance Department. At Snow College, he also served many years as the Dean of Fine Arts, Communications, and New Media.
Professor Olsen holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Lighting Design and Technical Direction from Utah State University and a Bachelors of Theatre Arts Degree from Brigham Young University. His doctoral work was in Playwriting and Direction at Brigham Young University. He served four years as a Respondent for KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival).
Doug Monson
Doug Monson currently lives in Afton, Wyoming. He has had a passion for drawing western and wildlife scenes since he was a young boy. Doug has always loved the outdoors. His favorite hobbies include horseback adventure riding, hiking in the local mountains of Star Valley, spending time in nature observing wildlife, and camping with his family. His personal experiences, like traveling to the Grand Tetons have greatly contributed to his artwork.