Staff + Board
President, Board of Directors
Yvonne Gaudelius
Yvonne Gaudelius is an American academic known for her leadership in higher education, particularly in the fields of art education and interdisciplinary studies. She held faculty and administrative roles at Pennsylvania State University, most recently as the vice president and dean of undergraduate education and as a professor of art education and women’s, gender and sexuality studies. Her scholarly work explored multiple aspects of visual culture, feminist theory, and curriculum development, contributing to conversations about how art and education intersect with social issues. Gaudelius is recognized for advocating innovative, student-centered learning approaches and for supporting the role of the arts in shaping cultural and civic engagement. She retired from Penn State in June 2024 and now is enjoying a return to paining, one of the things that pulled her to study art as an undergraduate. She holds a BA from Queen’s University, an BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and a PhD from Penn State.
Vice President, Board Of Directors
Lisa Coble Drobka
Lisa Coble Drobka is a Centre County native and Vice President of the Board of the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor's degree from Penn State University and is a Realtor with Lusk & Associates Sotheby's International Realty.
Now in her second term on the board, Lisa brings more than 25 years of personal connection to the Art Alliance — an organization that has long held a special place in her life. A lifelong lover of the arts, she works in oil painting and abstract art, and has recently discovered a deep passion for pottery. Lisa has spent decades building relationships across Central Pennsylvania, both personally and professionally. In real estate, she brings broad expertise spanning residential, investment, and commercial properties. Together with her husband, architect Albert Drobka, she has been actively involved in investing in and revitalizing properties throughout the region.
Beyond real estate and the studio, Lisa is a committed advocate for animal welfare and a dedicated supporter of local community organizations. Whether she's working with clients, creating art, or championing causes she believes in, her roots in Centre County and her love for its people and culture remain at the heart of everything she does.
Secretary, Board of Directors
Eli Calkins
Eli Calkins is a Freelance Illustrator, Character Designer, and Cartoonist. A native resident of State College, he graduated from PSU in late 2019, with a BFA in Drawing/Painting, and a Bachelors of Design. His focus is on cartooning, and figural work, primarily doing work on commission for personalized character illustrations and scenes, as well as comic pages. He's currently working towards publishing some independent comics, when he's not getting distracted doing deep dives into research for said projects. He has prior experience serving as secretary of a student housing board during college and hopes to bring a valuable skill set and perspective to the board. He is eager to contribute and is happy to support the Art Alliance while working alongside the current board.
Treasurer & Potters Guild Representative
Mary Hodges
Mary, a native of the Boston area with Pennsylvania roots, holds a Bachelor's degree in Managerial Studies and Visual Arts from Rice University in Houston, TX. A passionate artist and experienced real estate professional with Kissinger Bigatel and Brower Realtors, Mary currently also serves as the President of the Potters Guild of the Central Pennsylvania Art Alliance. She seamlessly blends her artistic pursuits, particularly pottery, with her real estate career. Her dedication to the community, coupled with her deep understanding of the local market and strong local connections, benefits both her clients and the organizations she serves. Mary's enthusiasm for Central Pennsylvania's natural beauty and vibrant community is evident in her work and personal life.
Farmland Preservation Representative
Jeff Mathison
I have always been an artist. Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, I graduated from Penn State in 1972 with a BFA degree. I so enjoyed the combination of town culture and woodsy countryside, that I never left Centre County, Pa. I’ve worked with many media and subjects. In recent years I settled on watercolor as my primary tool. I enjoy the way it has a mind of its own and I have to collaborate with it to earn a good painting. I paint landscapes, both plein air and from photo. This show is a gathering of mostly plein air paintings from my travels to Chincoteague, VA, and Moab, UT.I also work a lot with the figure, from life or photo. I continue to work as a freelance illustrator, specializing in illustrated maps for books and other publications. I recently provided over 30 illustrations for a popular book on genetic manipulation, "A Crack in Creation", by Jennifer Doudna and Sam Sternberg. In 2007, I created new maps for a reissue of the Princess Bride, by William Goldman.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR