Board Members

As President of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Toni Kellenberg brings a deep-rooted passion for both the arts and the environment to her leadership role. A LPAPA Artist Member, Toni’s tenure began as a volunteer in 2007 before she joined the Board of Directors in 2013 and stepped into the role of President in 2014. Throughout her leadership, Toni has been instrumental in driving LPAPA’s strategic growth, raising awareness for its non-profit mission, and expanding its global footprint. Her tireless advocacy for the arts community earned her the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts Art Star Award for Arts Leadership in 2019. Toni lives in Laguna Beach with her husband, Steve, and daughter, Katy. Together, the Kellenberg family is deeply committed to land conservation, advocating for LPAPA, and building a vibrant collection of plein air paintings.

Mark Fehlman was welcomed to the LPAPA Board of Directors in June 2024. Mark practiced architectural design for over thirty years before shifting to his ultimate passion, plein air painting. He is an active Signature Artist Member bringing his art and business expertise to LPAPA's leadership team while advocating artists and supporters to become members to help LPAPA grow into the future. He has been invited to participate in the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational multiple times over the years. Based in San Diego, Mark travel constantly with fellow artists, creating small studies that preserve light, shape, and color in ways a camera cannot. These intimate paintings become the genesis to larger studio works.

We are delighted to welcome Andrew Fiala to LPAPA's Board, June, 2026. A New Jersey native, Andrew Fiala grew up camping with his family and first came to California through an internship with the National Parks Business Plan Initiative, experiences that fostered a deep appreciation for the natural world. He is a graduate of Lehigh University and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and has served Lehigh as both alumni association president and university trustee. Since moving to Orange County in 2003, Andrew has held human resources leadership roles at several global professional and financial services organizations. He and his husband live in North Orange County and share a love of California plein air art.

Tom Lamb joined LPAPA's Board of Directors in November 2021. Tom and his wife Vickie have been long-time LPAPA supporters and plein air art collectors. Tom is an aerial, architectural, landscape and ethnographic, panoramic, and interpretive fine art photographer based in Laguna Beach, California. Tom also serves as a Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Board Member. His Fine Art Carpets, based on his aerial landscape photography, have been exhibited at the LPAPA Gallery. Learn more at LambStudio.com.

We are delighted to welcome Anne Leisure to LPAPA's Board of Directors June 2026. Anne is a California native who spent her formative years along the Newport and Laguna coasts. She holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California and has been active iin the Orange County community as Board Chair of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation and as President of USC's Trojan League of Orange County. Anne has a lifelong love for the arts and is a perpetual student of painting and art history. She and her husband Marr are proud supporters of LPAPA.

Jeffrey A. Pierce, MBA is Vice President/Investments at Stifel. He began his career in 1980 with San Francisco-based Sutro & Co.  His love of art began during this period while visiting the Lower Nob galleries along Sutter Street.  In 2013, LPAPA board member Mary Linda Strotkamp introduced Jeff to the organization.  Since that time, the Hansen/Pierce Wealth Management Group at Stifel has been a sponsor of the annual LPAPA Plein Air Painting Invitational.  Jeff holds a BS from Arizona State University and a MBA from the Paul Merage School at the University of California, Irvine.

Anthony Salvo is a LPAPA Signature Artist Member and multi-year Invitational participant. Anthony has been an avid LPAPA supporter and Mentor Artist. He joined the Board in 2021. Anthony has lived in Southern California since the age of 12. That’s when he discovered oil painting. Always drawing and painting as a young child he knew that art would be his vocation. With an impressive art background spanning over many years, Anthony enjoys plein air landscape painting as well as studio painting. He attended Art Center College of Design where he graduated with honors, receiving a BFA in Graphic Design and Packaging.

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We are pleased to welcome Greg Starkey to LPAPA's Board of Directors June 2026. Greg  is a Tax Strategy CPA who advises business owners, families, and individuals on tax planning, business structuring, and long-term financial strategies. He earned both his undergraduate degree and Master of Business Taxation from the University of Southern California and is known for providing practical, forward-thinking solutions to complex financial and tax matters. A lifelong Orange County native, Greg has a deep appreciation for the arts and the cultural heritage of Southern California. He believes the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association plays a vital role in preserving the tradition of plein air painting while fostering arts education and community engagement. Greg is committed to supporting LPAPA's mission, strengthening its financial foundation, and expanding opportunities for artists and art enthusiasts throughout the community..

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Mary Linda Strotkamp and her husband Jay both grew up in Laguna Beach, where she studied fine art both privately and at Laguna Beach High School. After receiving an art Scholarship from the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, she majored in art at U. C. Berkeley. While raising her four children in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she continued her passion for art as a student, painter, teacher, docent, and collector. After returning to Laguna Beach in 2000, she and her husband became active in the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. She has served on the Board since 2008 and served as Vice President until 2021 when she passed the baton to Celeste Gilles. Mary Linda and Jay Strotkamp were presented with LPAPA's "Lifetime Member" award recognition in October 2015.

Debra Huse is a Signature Artist Member and founder of the Huse Skelly Gallery in Balboa Island, CA. She has been a LPAPA member since 1998, and originally joined the Board in 2013; she currently serves as an Emeritus Board Member, bringing her LPAPA history and wealth of knowledge to the board to help guide LPAPA into the future. She enjoys working in oils, painting on location, teaching, and participating in many plein air events across the country. Debra Huse has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, and Art of the West Magazine. Learn more at DebraHuse.com.

Jeff Sewell is a LPAPA Signature Artist Member, a multi-year Invitational participant, and 2022 Invitational "Best in Show" award winning artist. Jeff was instrumental in developing LPAPA's Plein Air Project, a four-part youth education program designed to integrate with 4th Grade studies of California history. Jeff was recognized for his support of LPAPA and service to the community with LPAPA's 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. Jeff originally joined LPAPA's board of directors in 2013, and continues to promote and serve LPAPA as an Emeritus Director. Learn more at JeffSewellArt.com.

Bonnie joined the LPAPA management team in June 2019 as an Administrative Assistant, and quickly grew into the role of Executive Assistant and as of January 2023 assumed the role of Executive Co-Director and as of February 1, 2024, now holds the title of Executive Director working to grow LPAPA into the future. Her background is in the fashion business with experience in all kinds of retail from Specialty to Department Store. Her time as a Buyer gave her the chance to be creative and sharpen her business skills. In fashion wholesale she worked with small boutique owners in the Art to Wear business. Bonnie is extremely proud of her 3 grown children, that she raised in Laguna Beach, who are quite creative themselves. Feel free to reach out to Bonnie directly at bonnie@lpapa.org, or call the LPAPA Gallery at (949) 376-3635.

Rosemary Swimm held the role as LPAPA's Executive Director beginning in 2009 through 2022. She transitioned into her current honorary role as LPAPA's Director Emeritus, having an extensive and valuable history and expertise to help LPAPA continue to grow into the future. A career woman, with over forty years of professional experience she has owned and operated two successful business-to-business companies, organized large-scale events for arts organizations and nonprofit foundations, and has expertise in sales and direct marketing. A hands-on, no-nonsense professional with broad knowledge of the arts in both the retail and institutional world. Rosemary is the proud recipient of the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts 2014 Art Star Award for Arts Leadership. She resides in Connecticut with her husband, Artist Tom Swimm. You can contact Rosemary at rosemary@lpapa.org.

A recognized authority on California Impressionism, Art Historian Jean Stern has extensive experience in the field as an author, curator, lecturer, and teacher. He has been the executive director of the Irvine Museum beginning with its inception in January 1993, and now as the Emeritus Director, having established a national presence for The Irvine Museum in the fields of California Art and History through a noteworthy international series of books, exhibitions, lectures, articles, and video documentaries. He has written or contributed to over twenty-five books on California art. He is an artistic advisor to LPAPA's Board of Directors.

 

In loving memory of our board members who have passed. We are forever grateful for their dedicated service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to LPAPA's mission. Their legacy continues to inspire our work every day.

It was with a heavy heart that we announced the loss of Harry Bithell in January, 2025. Specializing in Laguna Beach homes for sale and the Orange County real estate market, he brought his business knowledge and community relations to serve LPAPA's Board of Directors 2011 to 2025. He and his wife Suzi are passionate LPAPA supporters and plein air art collectors. In addition to serving on LPAPA's board of directors, Harry volunteered his time with the Laguna Beach Rotary and for 20 years, Harry Bithell held an instrumental role in creating and leading the Laguna Beach Classic Car Show.. He is missed.

We were saddened to learn of Ward Blackburn's passing in 2024. Ward was valued community member, art lover, and served on LPAPA's Board from 2009 to 2014, and continued as an advocate and patron after retiring from the board. In addition to volunteering his time to support LPAPA, he was an active member of the Laguna Beach Rotary Club. LPAPA is incredibly grateful for the gift Ward gave to LPAPA through his estate. His kindness and gentle presence will be missed.