Meet Our Board

We would like to introduce, Carla Morrison, our board president!

Carla is a recent addition to our community, having made the permanent move here in the spring of 2023. Her journey to Coffman began with a summer visit in 2022, where she and her husband fell head over heels for the area. They knew instantly that their future lay here, and upon returning to Bonney Lake, WA, they wasted no time in selling their house and packing up their lives. Now, having successfully weathered a couple of Coffman winters, Carla feels a deep sense of belonging, finally calling this place home.

Carla is a talented graphic designer and artist, expressing her creativity through various mediums. You can admire her work firsthand at the Riggin Shack, where some of her pieces are proudly displayed. Beyond her artistic talents, Carla brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our board. She dedicated five years to the PTA board of her son’s school in the early 2000s, serving as president for three of those years. Her dedication to fostering creativity led her to establish an Art Docent program at the school. Carla’s commitment to the arts extends beyond the classroom.

For the past 12 years, she has been an active member of the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage and Art Center board, serving as secretary for five years before assuming the presidency for another five. The FOWHC, a 501c3 organization, celebrates the life and works of western artist Fred Oldfield, offering art classes and workshops to individuals of all ages. Their main fundraiser, a large art show held annually in the fall, has been a cornerstone of the organization for over 25 years. Carla’s connection to the FOWHC runs deep, as Fred Oldfield was her grandfather-in-law. Her involvement in the center, alongside her in-laws, spanned all aspects of the organization, including the annual art show.

When Carla isn’t immersed in art or board meetings, she finds joy in gardening and fly fishing. The recent purchase of a small boat has ignited a passion for exploring the waters, casting lines and marveling at the majestic whales. We are thrilled to have Carla join our board and look forward to her contributions to our community.

We are beyond grateful to bring Heather Hedges as Co-Vice President to our board

In the early days of the festival, Heather was one of the original four women who came together to create the event. As the Tourist Coordinator and Website Creator for the city of Coffman Cove, her expertise in advertising and web design proved invaluable to the festival’s success. Heather helped shape the festival from the ground up, ensuring that it would not only attract visitors but also showcase the best of the region’s arts and seafood.

Heather’s professional background is equally impressive. She started out in California where she excelled in hotel room sales for major business groups and marketing for the Orange County Auto Association. Her move to Hawaii led her to pursue advertising sales for West Hawaii Today. And she met her husband there where he lured her to Alaska. Upon relocating in 2008, with her husband, she became a co-owner of Coffman Cove Lodging, a family business that demands her attention during the summer months.

Despite her busy schedule, Heather’s commitment to the festival remained unwavering. She served as President until 2019, when she passed the reins to focus on her family business. However, with the festival facing dissolution, Heather stepped forward to help revive it as the Vice President of ‘Arts in the Cove.’ Heather’s dedication to the festival has been instrumental in its resurgence where she has been working diligently to secure its success. With her help and familiarity with the festival, guiding this amazing team, the ‘Arts in the Cove’ organization is confident that all future festivals will be a memorable ones.

It is with much excitement that we introduce Dania Allen as the Co-Vice President of our organization.

Dania brings a wide range of experience and encouragement to this role, and we are confident that she will be a valuable asset to our team.

Born and raised in Southeast Alaska, Dania spent her younger years in logging camps throughout the Inside Passage. In 2009, she moved to Fairbanks, where she fell in love with the interior. However, there was just something about southeast that called her back home.

For the past 12 years, Dania and her family have traveled Alaska for work. She has held various positions such as laborer, operator, Traffic Supervisor, SWPPP manager, and Forman for many heavy civil construction projects all over the state. While they loved the excitement in this field, they decided it was time to set roots in a community they truly cared about.

Dania and her husband now run a small construction company in Coffman Cove. They are committed to growing with the community and embracing the opportunities that arise. Dania is actively involved in local events and enjoys working with an enthusiastic team.

When she learned that the Arts & Seafood Festival was dissolving and needed to be revived, Dania immediately stepped up to help. She is excited to be part of this beloved event and is committed to its success for generations to come.

With her optimistic nature, kind demeanor, and experience managing her own business, she will undoubtedly contribute to the role of leadership within our organization.

We are delighted to welcome Julie Ashe as the Secretary to our board.

A longtime resident of Coffman Cove, Julie brings a wealth of community knowledge and experience to our team.

Julie moved to Coffman Cove in August 1993, following her husband. She dedicated many years to providing childcare, a service that was surprisingly in high demand in such a small community, often caring for 8 to 10 children alongside her own three. Julie truly cherished her time with those children, finding joy in being a part of their lives. While her own children are now adults, she enjoys being a grandma and spending time with her six grandkids. Beyond her nurturing heart, baking is Julie’s passion and stress reliever, and she is known for creating some of the best baked goods in Coffman Cove.

Julie has a long history of community involvement, having served on Coffman Cove’s Civic Club board, the ASC board at Howard Valentine, and the Arts and Seafood board. She was also a dedicated volunteer for the 4th of July planning committee for over 25 years. Now, Julie returns to the festivals board, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a genuine love for Coffman Cove, making her an invaluable asset to our team.

We are grateful to welcome Shannon Vellutini to our board!

A vibrant and enthusiastic addition, Shannon brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community engagement.

Born and raised on the Oregon coast, she developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and all the beauty the region has to offer. This love for nature and community was further nurtured during her time at Western Oregon State University, where she majored in Education and played varsity volleyball, competing in two national championships. Following graduation, Shannon dedicated herself to education, taking her first teaching job in a rural community, where she taught elementary and middle school Physical Education.

After marrying and moving to Salem, Oregon, she continued her teaching career at the middle school level while pursuing her Master’s degree from Oregon State University. In 2017, a visit to Coffman Cove ignited a love for the community and its charm, leading her and her husband, Jerry, to make it their primary residence in 2019.

Shannon’s exceptional ability to work effectively with diverse groups, her meticulous organizational skills, and her eagerness to embrace new challenges make her an invaluable asset to our board. We are confident that her enthusiasm and dedication will play a vital role in the continued growth and success of Arts in the Cove.