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.
Marica Tacconi
Marica (“Mar”) Tacconi is a Distinguished Professor of musicology and art history at Penn State. Her scholarly work explores the intersections of the aural and the
visual in the Early Modern period, with a focus on music in Venice and
Florence. She has held a number of administrative positions at Penn State and
served on the Board of Directors (and Vice President) of the Pennsylvania
Humanities Council. She holds a BA from Williams College and a PhD from Yale
University.
As a local artist and active member of the Art Alliance, she is committed to bringing art programs to our community and to fostering relationships among artists. Her work as an abstract painter and photographer explores color, texture, and movement. She has taught adult classes for the Art Alliance and is a Registry Artist of the Bellefonte Art Museum.
Michael Beck
Michael Beck is a local business owner with a strong background in community engagement. As a co-owner of Cafe Lemont and a current member of the Lemont Village Association Board, Michael has established deep roots and valuable connections within the area. He and his wife are active participants in Art Alliance classes, and Michael is eager to leverage his professional experience and local ties to help the organization expand its reach and continue supporting the arts across the region.
Christina McNeill
Christina McNeill is a local artist with a strong connection to the Art Alliance and its mission. She is passionate about fostering an inclusive, creative environment where artists and supporters alike feel engaged and valued. Christina aims to help strengthen the organization’s sustainability through improved practices, transparency, and long-term planning. Her experience working with past leadership gives her valuable historical perspective, while her professional background supports effective communication and collaboration. She is eager to contribute as a thoughtful team member while continuing to grow her expertise in nonprofit governance.
Christina (on right) is shown with her fellow Nature Drawing artists.
Deena Ultman
Deena Ultman is a long-standing and highly engaged member of the Art Alliance who has supported the organization through classes, exhibits, and behind-the-scenes efforts. Her contributions include helping organize shows, promoting events, and maintaining studio spaces. She is motivated by a desire to help the organization remain successful, well-organized, and financially stable. Deena brings valuable experience from serving on other boards and committees, along with strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Her reliability and deep commitment make her a steady and supportive candidate for board service.
Donna Lawrence
Donna Lawrence is an experienced art educator and active Art Alliance member of over five years who has contributed through teaching, volunteering, and exhibiting her work. She graduated from Kutztown University with a BFA in Graphic Design and spent over 20 years in Washington, DC working in art direction and marketing communications. She is eager to expand her impact by serving on the board and helping grow programs, particularly for teenagers. With 13 years of experience in education, she sees strong potential to engage young artists outside of the classroom setting. Donna also brings ideas for creative fundraising, including community-wide events to broaden participation, and her collaborative mindset, past board experience, and dedication to the arts position her as a thoughtful and proactive contributor.
Erin Carter
Erin Carter is an art therapy counselor and educator at Penn State with strong connections in the local arts community. She is passionate about helping the Centre County art scene grow while supporting the board’s current goals and contributing new ideas over time. Erin brings leadership experience from serving on a local elementary school non-profit PTO board, along with strengths in organization, collaboration, and creative thinking. She is especially interested in exhibits, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and wellness-focused art initiatives. Her personal connection to the Art Alliance through her children and past volunteer work fuels her enthusiasm for deeper involvement.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Melanie Rosenberger
Melanie has worked to renew and refresh the Art Alliance since her start in the spring of 2023. Looking to foster a collaborative environment for all artists of all levels, she has focused on increasing classroom and program spaces. Her background in culinary arts comes in handy for the opening receptions! “My hope for the Art Alliance is to grow and build our community, host fun and engaging events, and be a space that encourages creativity for artists of all ages.”
A jack of all trades, Melanie has a diverse background in event planning and management, culinary arts, non-profit leadership. She holds a BFA from Penn State University, in Ceramics as well as a Grand Diplome from the French Culinary Institute, in New York City. Melanie’s most treasured memory of her time at FCI, was painting a mural next to Jaques Pepin.
A working artist, Melanie is also a local potter who specializes in functional pottery.