Our Team

Sharon Wagner

President of the Board and Chair of Plein Air Festival Committee

As a retired classroom teacher and district resource instructional technology teacher with a Master’s in Reading, Sharon brings a diverse educational background to Summit Art. She hopes to bring new and exciting ideas to our events, activities and educational opportunities.

Sharon is a juried artist member in oils/acrylics and enjoys painting nostalgic landscapes in monochromatic style and plein air painting. “Painting outside in “plein air” makes unique memories. Feeling the breeze, freezing cold or sweating during a hot summer day melds your feelings with the painting experience.”

Nicole “Niki” Staab

Vice President of the Board/Chair of these Committees: Development, Membership, and Special Projects

Nicole “Niki” Staab is a juried artist in mosaics. She works mainly with stained glass, but also uses mixed media and tries to use more recycled items for her substrates. Niki owns Marigold Mosaics and has extensive experience in board leadership from her time in Indianapolis including representing new artists, planning events and assisting with gallery operations.

Jody Fristoe

Board Director Ex-Officio/Director on Staff

Jody has executive level experience working in both the nonprofit industry and in wholesale/retail manufacturers’ sales. Her service to Summit Art includes implementing policies, program development, event production, financial management, marketing and community relations.

Combining her love of art and professional experience, Jody has found the perfect niche leading the overall executive management of Summit Art.

Teddy Jackson

Board Director Ex-Officio/Past Chair/Past President/Chair of Education Committee

Teddy Jackson is a former Human Resources professional and is a Signature Member of Missouri Valley Impressionist Society, Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society, American Impressionist Society and Blue Springs Art League.

Teddy has served Summit Art in various leadership roles over the years. Her active participation, experience and wisdom continue to guide the board and the organization.

Susan Plunkett

Board Director/Co-Chair of Student Advisory Council

Susan has taught art to women in prison and halfway houses in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and has also helped teach art to students visiting from Korea. She has served on the board of the Arkansas League of Artists and was one of the original members of The Art Group Gallery.

Susan currently leads local students in the Summit Art Student Advisory Council in partnership with area school districts. Susan enjoys plein air painting and volunteering!

Jill Calvert

Board Director/Co-Chair of Development, Chair of Mid-Summer and Mid-Winter Art Fairs

Jill is a juried artist in jewelry. Her love of sculpting introduced her to polymer where she uses mixed media to create pieces focusing on vibrant colors and textures with an occasional pop of whimsy.

She has 40+ years of interesting (and a bit crazy) advertising and marketing experience, along with non-profit and community leadership. Jill currently serves as the development co-chair and leads the committee for the Mid-Summer and Mid-Winter Art Fairs at Ward Parkway Center. She is also a juried member of Best of Missouri Hands.

Aimee Fresia

Board Director

Aimee Fresia is a Missouri born artist who currently lives in the Kansas City region and is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute with a fiber emphasis. Her latest work consists of acrylic monoprints on paper and collages on canvas. She has shown work across the country in a variety of galleries and juried shows, winning first place in the printmaking category at the MidWinter Art Fair in Kansas City in 2018, and 1st place in the fiber division of the Missouri Art Educators Member Show in 2019. She lives a happy life with her spouse, children and dog.

Jana Stoebick

Board Director/Summit Art Gallery at Saint Luke’s East Curator and Board Liaison to Summit Art Photographers & Friends

As a juried artist member, Jana is a photographer who has been around a camera since childhood. She tries to bring to the viewers the beauty of nature around us as well as old world architecture that she captures on visits to her home country, Czech Republic.

She curates and manages the Summit Art Gallery at Saint Luke’s East Hospital.

Melissa “Missy” Chaney

Board Director/Co-Chair Summit Art Student Advisory Council

Melissa has over 32 years’ experience in art education and is deeply skilled in art restoration and conservation. She owns South Street Studio in Raymore, MO, where she creates and teaches art to others.

Melissa is passionate about educating others within all realms of art from creating, to displaying and conserving. Her personal art is full of imagination and whimsy.

Melissa helps lead our Student Advisory Council, Summit Art’s initiative to partner with and empower local youth in leadership opportunities focusing on arts advocacy and engagement.

Tammie Dickerson

Jury Committee Chair

As a Juried Artist member, Tammie strives to capture the moments of life in graphite, oil, acrylic and watercolor. Painting from life whenever possible, Tammie is constantly transposing the scene before her onto her panels. This active local Missouri artist has attained numerous awards, and her portraits are in private collections world wide.

Tammie manages the jury process and mentors artists to Juried Artist status.

Barb Byrne

Summit Art Gallery at Powell Gardens Curator

Barb is a Juried Artist in fused glass. Her connection to animals and nature from living on a 300-acre farm for 20 years drew her into doing animal portraits and landscapes using fine glass powder. Barb is also a juried member of The best of Missouri Hands.

Barb curates and manages our extended gallery exhibition at Powell Gardens Visitors Center and serves on our Jury Committee.