Grace joined Crooked Tree Arts Center as an Administrative Assistant in April of 2025. She has over a decade of experience in the arts, working in administrative and teaching roles. Grace earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Art History from the University of Colorado and her MFA in Painting and Art History from the American College of the
Mediterranean and Leo Marchutz School of Fine Art in Aix-en-Provence, France. Outside of Crooked Tree, Grace is an artist and instructor specializing in mixed media painting and drawing.

Helen joined Crooked Tree Arts Center as Membership and Volunteer Coordinator in June 2025. She received a BA from Albion College and holds both Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Geosciences from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Helen's career has been spent in scientific research and administration. She is delighted to pivot into the arts and non-profit organization with Crooked Tree Arts Center. 

Michelle Horn joined the CTAC - Petoskey team as the Events Manager in 2023 and was promoted to Development and Events Manager in May 2024. She brings over 15 years of event experience from a variety of non-profit settings. She works with CTAC's talented staff and volunteers to plan, organize, implement, and promote events designed to raise funds, grow membership, and promote community awareness. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in Therapeutic Recreation.

Carina Hume, Business Director, joined the CTAC staff in 2005 and has overseen the business office since 2009. She is responsible for processing accounts payable, billing, financial reporting and works annually with the auditors. Carina has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Humanities from Central Michigan University.

An abstract art maker originally from the metro Detroit area, Brian joined the Crooked Tree Traverse City team in November 2022. He has years of experience (and adventures) in picture framing, art installation and art center administration. His other interests include writing and readers theater.

Maren joined Crooked Tree as the Education and Outreach Coordinator in June 2025. She earned her BFA in Entertainment Arts, Concept Design, from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. Outside of Crooked Tree, Maren is a freelance illustrator and designer specializing in children's illustration, conceptual design for animated film, and both traditional / digital art mediums.

Susie Louden-Matts and her husband Michael moved to Traverse City in December of 2023.  After many summers visiting family and friends and sailing and hiking she and her husband decided to semi-retire here. 

Susie studied at The School of the Art Institute Chicago and is a member of Crooked Tree Arts Center Artist Guild and loves all things Crooked Tree!

Kimberly joined CTAC as Development and Events Coordinator in September 2024. She brings a wealth of experience in fundraising for local non-profits and event planning. A graduate of Wayne State University with a BFA in Photography, she combines her artistic background with a deep commitment to fostering connections and community engagement. 

Angela joined CTAC-Petoskey as the Regional Development Manager in June 2023 and was promoted to President in April 2024. She is excited to bring her passion for the arts and experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, marketing, and events to her position. Originally from West Michigan, Angela and her family moved to Petoskey to enjoy all the beauty that Northern Michigan offers. She earned her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University and her master’s degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University.

Brianne Munch joined Crooked Tree Arts Center of Traverse City in October 2022 as our Guest Experience Associate. With her background in design, marketing, and retail, she assists the Traverse City location in graphic designs, social media, and exhibitions while also managing the Gallery Shop on Sixth. Additionally, she is the first person you will see when visiting CTAC-TC. Outside of Crooked Tree Arts Center, Brianne is an artist, educator, and advocate in the local community with works in ceramics, sculpture, and analog photography. 

Keely joined CTAC as Marketing & Communications Manager in June 2024 and is a member of Leadership Little Traverse Class of 2025. She minored in Art History at UCLA and interned at contemporary art and rock and roll photography galleries. After graduating with her masters from the University of Chicago, she landed an apprenticeship in a London photography gallery but due to a curious misunderstanding with Heathrow passport control that sent her back to the States, her life took a pivot from visual arts to the world of book publishing.

Heather founded Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet in 2003 and presently directs the program, as well as instructs the upper level ballet classes of CTAC School of Ballet.

Heather has dedicated her entire life to dance. Since she was three years old, she was determined to become a ballet teacher and choreographer. Her dancing took her to The Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, Booker T. Washington HSPVA, City Ballet of Houston, Houston Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Boston Ballet, Hartford Ballet, and Texas Christian University.

As Visual Arts Director, Sheila curates, organizes, and designs art exhibitions for CTAC-Petoskey, and oversees studio art education classes, workshops, and programs for CTAC-Petoskey.

Alissa Seelmann-Rutkofske joined CTAC as Program Assistant in 2021. Alissa acquired her BA in art history with a minor in fine arts and experience in public relations from Wayne State University. She has a background in graphic design and photography. Prior to moving to northern Michigan, Alissa worked at Cranbrook and held internships at Detroit Institute of Arts and Wayne State University Gallery.

Kristal joined CTAC as Studio Coordinator in September 2024. Kristal holds a BA in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design and Technology from Western Michigan University and a Masters in Costume Design and Technology from Virginia Tech.

Finley started dancing with the School of Ballet in 2008 and presently works as the Operations Coordinator and instructs lower level contemporary and the School of Ballet Video Crew.

Kristi Wodek oversees the day-to-day operations and directs the education programs and community events at our Traverse City location. She graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Art History and Studio Art, with emphasis on ceramics. Kristi later went on to study Art Therapy at Wayne State University. Her professional experience includes serving as education coordinator for Paint Creek Center for the Arts, teaching at Flint Institute of Arts, Macomb Art Center, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Chaska School District, and Traverse City Area District Schools.