About

Wayne Couto grew up in New England, became an Eagle Scout, joined the Navy, and served on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. Upon his honorable discharge, he skied in the Alps for a month before moving to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany where for 3 years he taught and managed a Kayak School in the summer and the Kids Ski School in the winter. Upon returning to the US, Wayne obtained a degree in Real Estate & Economics at Cal. State, where he met his college sweetheart Karen. Following graduation, he moved to Colorado where he started a home renovation company and became a commercial real estate appraiser focused on ski areas, golf courses, large ranches and other unique properties throughout the West.

After developing two successful businesses in 14 years, Wayne moved back to the California Bay Area and joined a boutique appraisal company and finally married Karen. Together, they designed and built their dream house, created an oasis property in the center of town, and bought and renovated several other houses. Their frequent travels along the West Coast brought them to Newport in 2016 where they bought a condo and started regular visits. In 2018, they spontaneously bought a home in South Beach, sold their home in California and retired to Newport. In his free time, Wayne travels, attends concerts, hikes, kayaks, skis, plays pool, and enjoys the great outdoors. His creative outlets include wood carving and working with stained glass.

Since arriving in Newport, Wayne has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and is a regular driver for Meal on Wheels. He first got involved with OCCA as a musician’s driver then as Transportation Coordinator for the Oregon Coast Jazz Party. That led to joining the OCCA Board and helping to publicize events at the PAC and VAC. He is very passionate about Newport’s unique place in the world and amazed at all the talented and creative people who live here. Wayne hopes that the completion of the PAC’s ‘Back of House’ renovation will permit even greater opportunities for a vast assortment of creative performances, presentations and musical events.

Mary Eastman, a theatre artist for over 50 years is privileged to join the OCCA Board of Directors for her second service. Mary was a part of the initial campaign to build the Performing Arts Center, and she has participated in countless productions at the PAC and the “Old Naterlin” as an actor, dancer, director, designer, puppeteer, mime and teacher. With her early beginnings in Alaska, to her Theatre studies under the tutelage of Stella Adler and Paul J Curtis in NYC, with stints on Cape Cod and in Seattle, to finding her way back to the Oregon Coast, Mary brings her love and devotion to the arts with an understanding of what it means to the community. Mary has worked in the school system and for non-profits serving a vulnerable population, as well as the hospitality industry. She and her husband, Marc Maislen have a theatre company called New Visions Arts, producing theatre and other artistic endeavors. Together they have 5 children, 3 who have benefited from our local arts scene, and they are loving their treasured role as grandparents and planting the seeds of art and creativity.

Asia Richardson has served on the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts board since January, 2023.  As a resident of Lincoln County since 2005, Asia has been an active supporter of local arts, including involvement with resident companies as a performer and costumer. She believes in expanding access to the arts and creating opportunities for connection through creative expression.

Brian Gardner has joined the OCCA Board in the hopes to give back to the coastal arts community that has enriched his family’s life so much since moving to Lincoln County in 2008.  “My family has benefited immeasurably from being able to participate in, and attend all of the many music, performance and visual art opportunities in our area.”

Having grown up in the Willamette Valley and after attending the University of Oregon, Brian moved to Utah to attend law school where he met his wife, Gretchen Havner, and where they started their family. Brian has worked for Lincoln County as a Deputy District Attorney and has also operated his own law firm in Newport.  Gretchen has worked for Lincoln County at the District Attorney’s Office, taught at OCCC and has operated her own law firm in Newport as well.

Brian’s family has been active in Coastal Act Production performances with Gretchen, Charlotte and Caroline (Coco) always looking forward to performing.  The girls have also been active in youth orchestra, school band, Newport School of Artistic Movement, Dance and All that Jazz, and visual art camps at the VAC.  Brian has also been involved in youth sports, as a board member for the Central Coast Soccer Association and as a basketball coach for the Newport Recreation Center and Newport Middle School.

Brian believes that access to all types of arts, regardless of whether you are performing, attending, seeing, hearing or touching, can be extremely beneficial to your mind, body and soul.  “We are very lucky to live in a community that appreciates the value of the arts and supports the art community so generously.”

David M. Jones is looking forward to serving on the OCCA board and bringing a fresh view. “It’s an exciting time for our coastal confluence of art – with the continued upgrade of our own Performing Arts Center, as well as strengthening our bond up and down the Oregon Coast with our art communities. It presents challenges as well as opportunities.”

David’s arts background includes performance (acting, magician, musician) and visual (painting, pen & ink, sketching, woodblock printing, serigraph, photography, ceramics), along with running his own design/build company – all of which should help with board duties.

Randy Madnick grew up in the central valley of California during the 1950s. He developed a love for music and photography and played in a number of local rock and roll bands, while at the same time he became a photographer for the high school paper.

Following his Navy service in Vietnam, he continued his interests in photography by attending various classes and seminars, some of which were instructed by the well-known Ansel Adams.
Randy was event manager for High Sierra Entertainment, its premiere event being the Strawberry Blue Grass Festival, and worked as road manager and sound engineer for the Chambers Brothers. He has performed with numerous well-known groups, among them Freddy Fender and the Chambers Brothers Band.

In 1993, Randy and his wife Kathy moved to Seal Rock, Oregon. Here he has worked for local contractors as a fine finish carpenter. He organized the Fox Creek music revue, an annual event to help raise money for South Lincoln County Food Share.

Randy’s formed the jazz group Perpetua, where he participates in the composing, recording and performance of the group’s music. He is one of the original members of the jazz committee that founded what is now known as the Oregon Coast Jazz Party and he is co-founder of the not-for-profit production company, Just Jazz Inc. providing music education in our community.

Kay Klose holds a BFA in fine arts from the California College of Arts and Crafts.  She spent 35 years in Alaska being a visual artist, managing Behavioral Health programs, and developed a “Best Practice” Arts program for visual artist affected by homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse. She landed in Newport after attending a great play here and seeing a wonderful encaustic show at the visual arts center. Any town this size with theater that good and art plus being a fishing town was an easy sell. As an artist, Kay works in two ancient techniques – Encaustics and Felting. Her work has been shown in various museums, universities and juried shows in the US and Mexico.  (photo attached to email)

Alex Llumiquinga (he/él) Arcoíris Cultural Executive Director Alex Llumiquinga (he/él) was born in Ecuador and immigrated to the United States in 2001. Growing up surrounded by the rich traditions and music of his culture, Alex has always been a passionate musician and artist. His commitment to sharing his cultural heritage through performance has remained a constant in his life, allowing him to build bridges between diverse communities. In 2012, Alex had the opportunity to work as a bilingual tutor for young elementary students at the Lincoln County School District. This role sparked his deep dedication to educational equity, leading him to become deeply involved with the district’s English Language Development (ELD) program and the local Migrant Education Program. In these programs, Alex worked tirelessly to provide critical support to historically underserved populations, helping students and their families navigate educational barriers. In 2018, Alex began working with the Olalla Center, a nonprofit organization focused on healing and strengthening individuals, children, families, and communities in Lincoln County. The following year, Alex became a certified Community Health Worker, using his skills and cultural knowledge to support local residents in their journey toward health and well-being. As part of his role at the Olalla Center, Alex helped launch the pilot program that would evolve into the Arcoíris Cultural Program in 2021. The program was designed to empower and support the Latine, indigenous Mesoamerican, and migrant communities of Lincoln County, with a focus on resource navigation, arts, culture, and community building. As the Program Manager for Arcoíris Cultural, Alex’s mission is clear: to uplift and strengthen the communities he serves, ensuring they have the tools and support to thrive. He is particularly passionate about creating a safe space for cultural exchange, where the voices and traditions of Latine and indigenous populations are not only heard but celebrated. “My goal is to make a difference in people’s lives and empower them to be the change in the future,” he says. At present, Alex is leading Arcoíris Cultural through a transformative phase by helping it transition into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This shift will ensure that the mission of serving and empowering the community continues to grow and thrive for years to come. Beyond his work with the Arcoíris Cultural Program, Alex is a committed community leader, serving as a Board Member for both Food Share of Lincoln County and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts. He is dedicated to improving access to essential resources for the community, and continues to advocate for social justice, cultural inclusivity, and equitable opportunities for all. Through his work, Alex has become a trusted and integral part of the Lincoln County community, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources, opportunities, and support they deserve.

Khara Ledonne grew up in the Pacific Northwest where she was involved in visual and performing arts from early adolescence. Her first mural was featured in Seventeen magazine, launching an early painting career which funded a BFA at Cornish College of the Arts and a subsequent move to the east coast.

In NYC Khara worked for Evergreene Architectural Arts on murals for the Empire State Building and various theaters and capital buildings.  Her work progressed into sign painting and gold leaf for restaurants and museums, with a dabbling of historical restoration for the Park Avenue Armory. She went to Italy to study stone masonry and sustainable farming, and ended up painting murals even there.

After 12 years in the city, Khara and her beau sailed south on a 29’ fixer upper.  After a year aboard they returned to the PNW to have a family and settle on the Oregon Coast.  Her current work focuses on coastal landscapes, enamel miniatures, and narratives on climate change. 

Khara is involved in For Artsake Gallery, the NYE beach banner project, and OCCA’s Teaching Artist Preparation program.  She is a spirited advocate for access to arts education.

Glenda professes to be an ART NERD! Her passion for all things ART began with a high school play. She inadvertently stepped out of character for a moment and the audience roared with laughter. That was the moment she realized the ability for ART to induce powerful emotions in Beings. There is also a realization that, to often, ART is considered extraneous. A concept that seems foreign to her. You can often find her at the PAC or at the VAC, or walking the board-walk, listening to her eclectic variety of music.

We are fortunate to have so many cultural opportunities in our little backwater! I grew up with tons of exposure to theater, music, making art, and seeing outstanding art. Fortunately, I am one of those people who is driven to make stuff and am crazy about music. Being on the OCCA board is an honor, and I believe I have good ideas, energy, and community knowledge to add. I have lived in the Newport area since 1979, participating in the area’s business and public affairs. I have been a middle and high school teacher in art and science, mostly in Toledo, made a living producing sand blasted etched glass, and have worked in aquatic sciences at the Aquarium and OSU.

Doug Chadwick is a dentist in Newport, where he and his wife Tracy run a family dental practice. He earned his degree from the University of Texas-Houston and has been practicing since 2006. Before joining the OCCA Board in 2025, he served on the Samaritan Foundation Board. Doug has  lifelong appreciation for the arts, with a background in band and growing involvement in local theater and choir. His daughter Grace danced for 10 years with Newport’s School of Artistic Movement and Pacific Dance Ensemble before continuing her training with Oregon Ballet Theatre and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Doug values the distinctive arts community on the Oregon Coast and is committed to helping it grow and thrive.