Jackson County Cultural Coalition

Erika joined the board in 2014. She is a Professor at the Southern Oregon University, the former Director of the Schneider Museum of Art, and a board member for the Oregon Museums Association.

Rachel has more than 20 years of experience in education and the arts, and holds a master’s degree in Arts Management from American University. As Director of Outreach & Engagement at Southern Oregon University she is passionate about providing enrichment opportunities for youth and older adults and cultivating a love of lifelong learning. 

Amy Drake is the Executive Director for the Jackson County Library Foundation. She believes that access to culture is vital for creating healthy and vibrant communities of all sizes. Previously, Amy was the Director of Exhibitions and Community Engagement at the Southern Oregon Historical Society, where she curated exhibitions that highlighted an underrepresented part of local history.

Eric Foster joined JCCC in 2011.  He is a lawyer with Foster Denman, LLP.  When he’s not helping people work through their trusts, estates, and business transactions in his practice, he can be found playing the piano around Talent and Ashland with the jazz band, Sonic Gravity.  He believes that community service adds important value to the community.  He volunteers with The Oregon Community Foundation, ACCESS, and the Oregon State Bar.

Obed joined the board in 2017. He is with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Collaborative Theatre Project.

Sara is the Administrative Assistant for the JCCC.

Mary Jane, a librarian at Southern Oregon University, has her master’s degrees in Anthropology and Library Science from Rutgers University.  She finds nothing more satisfying than helping a student with research and observing their ‘aha!’ moments. She loves the diversity of her responsibilities which include coordinating collection development and special collections, teaching research skills, and assisting students at the reference desk.

Julie is the Area Manager for SMART® Start Making A Reader Today in the Rogue Valley. She is passionate about children and books, and she enjoys working with the many volunteers who give their time to SMART. In her spare time, Julie raises and exhibits English Setters, is an assistant 4H Leader helping with a dog club. Julie and her husband live on a small farm in Gold Hill where they have cashmere goats and one adorable miniature donkey.

Cheri has previously worked for Head Start in Health and Nutrition for over 20 years. While working for Head Start, Cheri saw how low-income populations do not always have access to the arts, heritage or humanities programs. She feels that all children should be able to participate in outlets for creative expression. She advocates for educational access and opportunities for all. Cheri is active in Soroptimist International and served as the Garden Tour Chair for her local club’s major fundraising event. Cheri loves art in nature especially outdoor photography. She has served on the board of Jackson County Cultural Coalition since 2017.

Theresa joined JCCC in 2018. She is currently involved with Soroptomist SIN Valley; Gold Hill Community Development Organization-CanDo; Gold Hill Historical Society; Central Point Garden Club; and Community Confluence Consulting as the Consultant/Owner.

Emily is a senior at the Southern Oregon University. She is next pursuing her PhD in History.

Angela has been involved with music performance, education, audience development and administration for 35 years in Portland and Medford. With Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from Lewis & Clark College, her professional work includes: teaching music in the public schools (k-12 general, vocal and orchestra), performing in various groups as a violinist and soprano, and 22 years with Britt Festivals where she served as Education Director, Classical Festival Administrator, Interim Executive Director, and Director of Performing Arts.

Mary O’Kief sings with the Women With Wings choir, a 50+ member choir started in the fall of 1995 by women drawn together by their love of singing. She retired (Faculty Emeritus) from Rogue Community College, in 2016, after seventeen years working as the Grants and Strategic Planning Coordinator. Previously, Mary helped start and direct Southern Oregon Women’s Access to Credit; and served as the Program Development Coordinator, The Job Council; Assistant Director, United Way of Jackson County; Family Advocate, Southern Oregon Head Start; and co-Director, Dunn House.

Alice is a graduate of Oregon State and Stanford Universities and taught mathematics in high schools and at SOU for 42 years. Her avocation has always been a curiosity about how people used to live and how things were done in the past. For 30 years she has volunteered at the Southern Oregon Historical Society where she especially enjoys working with the public at the Research Library and as a docent at Hanley Farm. Her husband and one of her two daughters are history teachers. Alice lives in the house she grew up in.