Lana Kentner, Founder / Chairman of the
Board of Directors
Art Xpression Foundation was founded in June 2008 by Lana Kentner, President. As a mother, educator and professional, she recognized the enriching experiences and therapeutic benefits of the visual and performing arts. Along with the support of her husband, Jace, friends and art/developer professionals, she spent years formulating plans for this one-of-a-kind community art center. Back to top
Suzanne Uthe, Art Director
From knowing I wanted to be an artist at a young age, I would strive to get every art experience I could in elementary through high school, after completing college, I felt the need to pass it on and help others to learn visual arts. I have worked as a Graphic Designer for the last fourteen years in different business scenarios. After working with children, teens and adults, teaching them about art or Adobe software programs, I wanted to become a teacher and give back to our community, this facility allows me to 'give back.' My goal is to provide a program to children ages 5 - adult and to unite the community, also to make a meaningful connection with other cultural programs.
I have earned my degree from Columbia College in Art. I have won several awards for my artwork, an art scholarship from the Ozark Brush and Palette Club in high school and then a gold ribbon from the same club when I was attending college. When I attended Lincoln University, I won some art awards including the Best of Show in 2007. Creating Art is a wonderful experience and lets you express yourself in any medium. I am currently seeking my masters degree.
I have been married for ten years to Richard Uthe and we have two children, Hali and Kevin. Back to top
Madonna Gann, Artist/Teacher
Hi, my name is Madonna Gann, I have taught art, Kindergarten through 12th grade for the past 23 years, at present, I am retired and living on the Lake of the Ozarks. I hold a Masters in Art Education from CMSU, Warrensburg and course work in counseling from SMSU, Springfield, MO. Masters in Science in Education with Art Therapy most of the Art Therapy classes at UMKC. I have studied with Alex Gray in New York.
My job history is reflected in the following, I have helped the position of Executive Secretary of the Kansas City Employment Training consortium board, under mayor Wheeler. While serving as the coordinator of job services in the public section, I served as Executive Director of the Bay County Senior Services.
My exhibits are global and include Warrensburg, MO, Savannah, GA, New York and Lacost, France. Also I have a piece of work in the Labor Department in Washington, DC and private homes. I have traveled extensively to other countries, Japan, France, Jamaica, England, and Whales.
At present she is working on Personality Portraits. Back to top
Alisha Beffa, Artist/Teacher
A native born here at Lake of the Ozarks, I grew up going to Camdenton RIII and graduated in 1996. I am currently a graphic designer and have worked at various newspapers and magazines for the past ten years. I work currently for Showcase Publishing that publishes Relocating to the Lake of the Ozarks.
I am also currently enrolled at International Academy of Design and Technology finishing my AAS in Graphic Design. I will be done with that in July 2010.
I have a 12 year old daughter named Kali and we both have several hobbies including playing with our pets (horses, cats and our dogs), art and watching movies. We both also like going camping and enjoying outside activities. Back to top
Phil Young, Artist/Teacher
Phil Young comes to CALO after thirty-five years teaching elementary and secondary art in a public and a private school. He grew up on a farm near Winterset, Iowa (Bridges of Madison County), with a great love for animals and the outdoors. After high school, Phil went to Southwestern Community College and then on to Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, Missouri, where he earned his BS in Art Education. His first teaching job was with the Ankeny Community Schools just north of Des Moines, Iowa. Phil taught elementary art in Ankeny for 15 years before moving his family to the St. Louis area. While in Iowa, Phil had a pottery shop in the Lake of the Ozarks one summer and returned several other summers for an artist-in-residence position, demonstrating his love and skill for pottery making. While in the St. Louis area, Phil taught for twenty years at a private school in Chesterfield, Missouri. He started the art program for the elementary and the secondary art program, at the satellite school in St. Albans, Missouri. Phil has illustrated a book "I'm Not a Tomboy" and produced many large pottery pieces for the school there. Phil moved to the Lake of the Ozarks as part of the goals he had set for himself and someday hopes to open a pottery shop again.
Phil has three children and eleven grandchildren which he loves to spend time with and sees them more than ever since his move. Besides his grandchildren, Phil loves pottery, both on the wheel and hand building, helping and teaching kids, boating, skiing, landscaping, and genealogy. Back to top