About Yuma Fine Arts Association

We are a member-driven organization and we welcome your support! Won’t you join us in keeping the arts alive and well in Yuma? It’s easy to become a member of Yuma Fine Arts Association. Simply complete an online membership with payment through PayPal or download the membership form and mail it in with your check or credit card payment.

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Yuma Fine Arts Association Board of Directors

In 2012, Yuma Fine Arts celebrates 50 years of arts and culture in Yuma. Over the years, we have had thousands of members and hundreds of board members. We want to honor you and hear your stories. We plan to make a video and a written history woven from the memories of our members. Please take a moment to get in touch with us so we can interview you and get your picture. Fifty years of Yuma Fine Arts history! That's quite an achievement and you were part of it.

Email us! director@yumafinearts.org

Linda Willets, Board President. Linda has been an Arizona resident for 40 years, 37 of those in Yuma, which pretty much makes her a native! As a photographer Linda sees Yuma through her camera lens and brings an artist's perspective to the Board. "It is exciting to be involved in bringing art to the Yuma community." Linda has been active in several organizations including the Navy League of the United States, Yuma Council, Trade Club of Yuma and Yuma Camera Club. Linda is married to David Willets and they have a daughter, Robyn and one grandchild.

Bill Butler, Board Member. Bill Butler served as president of Yuma Fine Arts Association Board of Directors for 2009. A Yuma native, Bill graduated from Yuma High School and Arizona Western College. He received his undergraduate degree in advertising and public relations with an arts minor from BYU. He went on to earn a juris doctorate from the ASU College of Law. After taking a stab at acting, he discovered his true passion was photography. He has worked for many years as a professional photographer and owns his own business, Captured Light, in Yuma. Along with his work for Yuma Fine Arts, Bill is vice president of the Yuma Film Commission and is a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Public Art which advises the City Council on public art acquisitions.

Rev. Merilyn Chilleen, Board Secretary. is the minister at Yuma Center for Spiritual Living. She is a native Arizonan and has lived in Yuma for 8 years. Prior to entering the ministry, she owned and managed art galleries in the Phoenix area, plus dabbling in paint herself. "The Art Center is a beautiful venue and I'd like to see every man, woman and child have the opportunity to experience meaningful art. Yuma Fine Arts creates the place to do that at the beautiful Yuma Art Center!"

John McGrady, Board Treasurer. John volunteered to serve on the Board of Trustees of Yuma Fine Arts in 2009. Newly elected treasurer, he brings much to the table with years of experience in business financing and development. He enjoys the small town feeling that Yuma, particularly the Historic North End. The Art Center and Yuma Fine Arts programs are central that ambience while opening doors to the world through art. His expertise in finance helps Yuma Fine Arts to continue the high quality of exhibitions and programs for Yuma and beyond.

Larry Yanez, Board Member. Larry is a native Yuman who has returned his home town after many years in the Phoenix area. For 25 years he worked with the Arizona Commission on the Arts doing the Traveling Exhibits, followed by eight years with the Tempe Center of the Arts. An artist himself, he brings a vision and service to the Board of Yuma Fine Arts Association and volunteers his time doing installations in the galleries and playing and teaching music. Larry plays several instruments including piano, flute and guitar. He is also a member of the North End Co-op, an arts group that occupies the United Building next to the Art Center and Historic Yuma Theatre.

Teri Ingram, Board Member, is a photographer and a framer and is very active in the Yuma arts scene. She works part time for the Heritage Area and was very involved in both creating a chain gang fundraising event to save the prison ― the Yuma Territorial Prison, that is. The state of Arizona Parks Department slated to close both the Yuma Territorial Prison and the Quartermaster Depot park but, because of their importance to our history, the City of Yuma Heritage Area has now taken over both parks. Teri is married to Chris Ingram, a local educator.

Denise Wah, Board Member, brings valuable work skills and community connections to Yuma Fine Arts. As a native Yuman, she has a vested interest in the preservation, development and growth in the Historic North End and Yuma business. Her background in human resources, banking and sales makes her a great asset to the board.

Ann Marie Farley, Board Member. Ann is an R.N. who has lived all over the U.S. as well as in Japan and South Africa. From her travels she has developed a love of art from all cultures. Keeping art alive and available in all its forms is important and she believes that despite today's challenges, art is fun, complex, free-spirited and thought provoking! She brings many fine qualities to the Board as a very organized, people-oriented, down-to-earth out of the box thinker!

Our board is made up of volunteers and is a 'working' board. We have four fundraising events each year and opening receptions for art exhibits throughout the year. If you have a passion for the arts, we welcome you to become a member of Yuma Fine Arts and, if you feel you can contribute to growing the arts in Yuma by serving on our board, please contact us!