Our Story

Petaluma Arts Center (PAC) began in June 1998 as a grassroots effort to celebrate local artists and to involve the community in appreciating art. Ten years later, with the support of the City of Petaluma and a generous donor, the Petaluma Arts Center opened the 4,500 square foot facility located in the historic Railroad Depot Freight Building, next door to the Petaluma Visitors Center and SMART Train station.

PAC has grown, survived, and redefined itself to become a gem of Petaluma—an arts center that brings the community together. Today, we highlight the creativity in Petaluma and Sonoma County through diverse art exhibitions, performances, education, and stimulating discussions. We nurture talented youth and artists’ careers at all stages. Our Artist Members have access to networking and professional opportunities. We are a passionate bunch of over 500 members who create OUR arts center through volunteering, community donations, business networking, and collaborations.

Mission

Building Community Through Art

Values

Service, Inclusion, Fiscal Responsibility, Transparency

Vision

PAC is a vital hub for Petaluma, an inclusive community arts center that cultivates curiosity and open minds. We are a source of connection and Petaluma pride.

Goals

Present innovative and inspiring art exhibitions and cultural events that represent diverse artistic expressions
Contribute to the social, cultural and economic vitality of Petaluma
Provide artistic and educational opportunities for learners of all ages

Foster creativity by engaging with new audiences that inspire new ways of seeing the world

Acknowledge the importance of art and artists in contributing to a healthy and thriving community

View Annual Report

Art is the great equalizer and community builder.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Petaluma Arts Center acknowledges there are influential elements within political, cultural, and economic systems that grant access and recognition unequally. This can result in limited representation of diverse community members. As a community arts center, we resolve to create a space where people feel a sense of belonging, of feeling seen, heard, and understood.

As an institution, PAC believes that advancing a cultural consciousness of inclusion is crucial to our long-term viability and to serving our community with honesty, fairness, and humility.

We hold ourselves accountable to this important work by affirming and acknowledging the following:

That cultural equity is critical to a healthy and thriving community. Cultural equity addresses discrimination of people based on race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, (dis)ability, and socioeconomic status by eliminating barriers and providing fair treatment, access, and opportunity.
PAC will partner with diverse institutions and individuals through our programming, policies, and practices by representing varying points of view, by affirming our similarities and finding value and curiosity in our differences. We recognize that systemic change that truly challenges dominant culture thinking is an ongoing process.
Establishing an annual review of our diversity, equity and inclusion goals and collecting data to ensure measurable outcomes – by examining our board, staff, volunteers, and programming - is an essential part of PAC’s accountability.

The People Behind PAC

Llisa Demetrios

BOARD PRESIDENT
Llisa Demetrios is Chief Curator of the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, overseeing the Eames Collection and Eames Ranch. She facilitated loans for "The World of Charles & Ray Eames" exhibition and worked at MoMA's Mies van der Rohe Archive. A third-generation sculptor, she has practiced her art for over 20 years. Llisa is a founding member of the Eames Foundation, a Yale history graduate, and a shareholder of the Eames Office. She is married with two children.
Alan Federman

BOARD TREASURER
Alan Federman is Vice President of Finance at Canvas Construction, Inc., overseeing finance, administration, and people operations. He has held finance leadership roles at start-ups like Patreon and ClassPass and began his career at Arthur Andersen. A Certified Public Accountant, he holds a BA from Tufts and an MBA from Bentley. After 20 years in New York, Alan and his wife relocated to Northern California in 2016.
Maggie Parr

BOARD SECRETARY
Maggie Parr is an artist and designer with over 30 years of experience in visual storytelling, specializing in theme park design, murals, book illustration, and film. She has worked with Disney and Universal and exhibits her paintings nationally. Maggie holds a BA from Pomona College and an MFA from Cal State Fullerton. Since moving to Petaluma in 2021, she has focused on creating art and fostering relationships between businesses and the arts.
Karleen Arnink-Pate

BOARD MEMBER
Karleen Arnink-Pate is the Chief Revenue Officer for Sonoma Media Investments, previously serving as VP of Strategic Revenue at the San Francisco Chronicle and Advertising Director for Gannett. Recognized as a national Folio “Top Women in Media” honoree, she has dedicated her career to funding local journalism and supporting businesses. Karleen holds a BFA in Painting from Edinboro University and has a lifelong passion for art.
Rachael Dressler

BOARD MEMBER
Rachael loves Petaluma and is proud to call this town her home. She is a third generation Marin County native and likes that Petaluma sits on the border between two amazing counties. Surrounded by artists throughout her life, and with a background in film and photography, Rachael joined the PAC Board to support Petaluma’s creative and artistic community. Rachael works as a real estate agent throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Amy Eldridge

BOARD MEMBER
Amy Eldridge brings 20+ years of brand and product marketing experience from both agency and client-side roles in the service, packaged goods, software and pharmaceutical industries. Amy grew up in New York City surrounded by and deeply involved in the performing and visual arts. Her own work has included modern dance, stained glass objects, hand crafts, and early childhood art classes. Amy is excited to help guide the success of PAC’s mission and broaden community awareness of the center.
Lisa Lightman

BOARD MEMBER
Lisa Lightman studied art in the 1980s at the Massachusetts College of Art and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. After moving to Santa Fe in 1996, she pursued both art and a career in state government and continued that dual role in San Francisco for twenty years. In 2019, she moved to Petaluma to become a full-time artist. Lisa has exhibited in multiple states and brings her community outreach, grant writing, and program development skills to the PAC Board.
Bill Kane

BOARD MEMBER
Bill, co-owner of Digital Grange Fine Art Services, has lived in Petaluma since 1998. A nationally and internationally recognized fine artist, his photographs and mixed media works have been exhibited in the US, Europe, and Asia since 1980. His art has appeared in films like Robocop and The Namesake. Bill has received two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships and several other grants. He is also listed in Who’s Who of American Art.
Pat Martin

BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
Pat Martin retired as a State Certified Massage Therapist, is an Eden Energy Medicine practitioner, Yoga teacher, and a passionate art lover. She believes in the power of art to enrich lives and communities. Since moving to Petaluma in 1996, she and her late husband John engaged deeply in Sonoma County's art scene. A dedicated volunteer, Pat has served on numerous boards and currently teaches Yoga at the Petaluma Village Network.
Thom Maslow

BOARD MEMBER
Thom Maslow is a seasoned executive with over 20 years in consumer entertainment and educational technology, specializing in mobile, internet, and PC/console games. He has held senior roles at Fortune 500 companies and startups like Space.com and NetPulse. Thom founded Yormo, Inc., achieving a $5.7M valuation. He is currently Vice President of the Greater Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association and serves on the board of Petaluma Community Access. Thom lives in Petaluma with his wife Cheryl.
Rick Warner

BOARD MEMBER
Rick Warner, a Marin County native, offers nearly two decades of real estate expertise in Marin and Sonoma Counties, specializing in Petaluma. Rick takes a client-focused approach, emphasizing listening and facilitation. A member of the Marin County Bar Association, he often collaborates with estate and family law attorneys. His background as a financial advisor makes him a valuable partner for investors focused on maximizing returns.
Chris Alexander

VOLUNTEER & MEMBERSHIPS MANAGER
A Sonoma County native, Chris Alexander has worked as Student Services Manager at a raw foods culinary school, Director at a senior center, helped establish a charter school, and most recently, served as Program Assistant for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Sonoma State. She is also a certified yoga teacher and enjoys a robust home practice.
Lance Keuhne

OPERATIONS MANAGER
Lance Keuhne has worked with PAC for three years managing many aspects of the facilities and operations. He is a professional photographer.