FRAN MANGINO, Trustee - is an OPAS charter member, a signature member of the Central Ohio Watercolor Society, and a Trustee of Ohio Watercolor Society. She exhibits regionally and national in exhibitions such as OWS National Exhibition, and The Butler Art Institute of American Art. A repeating award winner at summer fine art festivals, Fran is frequently asked to jury, demonstration or teach workshops in watercolor.  Fran's work was accepted from 3,000 entries into “The Artist Magazine’s” 2001 art competition. Author of the  “Mid Life Series” of prints and cards, sold in gift stores throughout the US, her publications include the December 2001 issue of "The Artist Magazine"; the first issue of “Painting 1-2-3”; and Northlight Book's series “Splash 8” and “Splash 9”.  (Term ends 4th Quarter 2013)

MICHELLE MORRIS, Corresponding Secretary, moved to Columbus in ’02 with her husband and three children from the Chicago area.  Joining area art organizations, Michelle made friends with other artists and eventually found OPAS and plein air painting.  With a background in drawing and watercolor begun in college and continued with many fine artists over the years, Michelle has only been painting in oil and plein air for a few years.  Michelle feels that painting from life is the key to keeping your art fresh. (Term ends March 2010)

JEFFREY RISNER, President, holds two Master degrees from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio: a 2006 Master of Management of Communication Policy and Technology; and a 1982, Master of Geology and Hydrology. But he has had an interest and desire in painting most of his life. Recently he has decided to do something about it and just paint. He believes that painting has traditions that need to be mastered by all painters and looks forward to helping OPAS uphold those traditions. His interests include: plein air, still life and nudes. He is a member of the International Carnivorous Plant Society, United States Chess Federation, and Ohio Plein Air Society. (Term ends March 2010)

RUTH ANN STURGILL, Vice President, was introduced to plein air painting in 2004 and has been hooked ever since, as working plein air has enabled her to combine her love of nature with her passion for art. Prior to that, she had concentrated on studio portrait painting. Founder and executive director of the "Visual Arts Network", a multi-media art group located in northwest Ohio, and co-founder of the Potpourri of Painters, Ruth Ann has served on the exhibition committee at Lima/Artspace, volunteered her time to work at OPAS plein air competitions, and has acted as publicity liaison for OPAS. Currently she is responsible for the installations of exhibitions in the Ellen Nelson Gallery and St. Rita's Gallery, both located in Lima. Her proposal to a regional gallery has resulted in a three-artist show of plein air work that will open in August.  (Term ends March 2010)

OPAS thanks to those who have served in the past.
PAST BOARD MEMBERS and OFFICERS: Richard Canfield (Executive Director & founder 2002 -03), Carol Cosgrove (secretary '03 - '07), John Daniels ('07 Vice-President); Kaye Michele Darling ('02 - '04 trustee & founder), Debra Joyce Dawson (founder, trustee, past-president '03 - 06, Board Chair '06 - '08, webmaster '04 - present); Rick Dziak ('06 Vice-President), Elaine Freeman ('07 Corresponding Secretary); Mark Gingerich ('02 - '04 trustee), Tom Harbrecht (founder, '03 - '06 Board Chair), Ray Hassard ('04 - '09); (John Hoberg (founder, '02 - '03 trustee), Richard Otten (founder, '02 - '04 trustee), and Bridgette Turner ('03 - '05 Vice-President, '04 - '06 treasurer & trustee).