MEET THE BOARD
LAURA VILLANYI
PRESIDENT
Laura’s roots in Fishers go back to 1977. She thought her parents moved her to the edge of the earth. My how things have changed! Graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School and Purdue University, Laura has always been involved in the arts. She considers herself a skilled craftsman and has done many art projects in many mediums including but not limited to painting, ceramics, lamp working, calligraphy, illustration, photography and jewelry design.
Personal Philosophy - Support the Arts = Buy Art.
Laura joined the board in 2020.
TOM RICH
VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER
Tom is a retired business owner who has lived in Fishers for over 25 years. He appreciates all art, visual and performing. However, all artistic talent escaped him. Tom tries, through chairing the Cultural Alliance Committee, to bring more opportunities for art and artists to the citizens of Fishers. Besides the Fishers Arts Council, he is active with the Heritage Meadows Homeowners Association and the Fishers Police Academy Alumni Association. Most recently Tom held the position of President of the board.
Tom joined the board in 2016.
PAT GRABILL
BOARD MEMBER, JURIED EXHIBIT CHAIR
Pat is a retired English/Language Arts teacher with 30 years of classroom experience. A resident of the Indianapolis area since 1993, she and her husband moved to Fishers three years ago when they built a house in Avalon of Fishers. Pat is involved in several organizations, and has been a watercolor painter since she received a Lilly Teacher Creativity grant at the end of the 90's, which allowed her to take her first art classes. She has been painting ever since and currently serves on the Board of the Watercolor Society of Indiana. Pat is an appreciator of ALL the arts and loves music, dancing, reading, writing, and, of course, painting.
Pat joined the board in 2020.
OLIVIA HOLT
BOARD MEMBER
A 2016 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, Olivia honed her skills and passion for fine art at Ball State University. She pursues creativity and emotion through artistic expression, eliciting contemplation and curiosity from her audience. With a preference for charcoal Olivia puts a twist on the classic concept of drawing and experiments with mixed media. In her spare time she can be found in her element of art, playing trivia with friends, and traveling.
Olivia has been a board member since 2018.
THOMAS K-JOHNSON
BOARD MEMBER
Thomas is the Founder and Executive Director of The Kneeland Center for Poetry, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization that discovers, cultivates, and enhances the voices and works of underrepresented poets across the globe. The Kneeland Center has gained international following and participation through its digital publication, The Elevation Review, which publishes original poetry quarterly. Thomas serves as the Founding Editor-in-Chief alongside his editorial team.
Having published three poetry collections within the last three years, Thomas considers himself an influential figure from his home in Indiana to various cities and countries across the world. He wholeheartedly enjoys every form of art and is able to discover beautiful poetry in each moment. Thomas graduated from DePauw University in 2014 with a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing, and will graduate from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University in the Spring of 2021. Afterwards, Thomas will pursue an MFA in Creative Writing at Butler University.
Thomas joined the board in 2021.
STAFF
LES REINHARDT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Les is an Equity Stage Manager, mother, and Fishers resident since 2017. Born in Indianapolis, she lived in the San Francisco Bay for 15 years before returning to her home state. Les has worked professionally in audio/visual, theater, ballet, Bach festivals, new works festivals and enjoys art in all its forms. She serves on the Finance and Development committees, and also volunteers for Fishers Cub Scout Pack 160. She served as Treasurer of the board from June 2018 through December 2020. Les is currently the Operations Manager for Nickel Plate Arts.
Les was appointed Executive Director in January 2021.