Artist Boat
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Karla Klay, Executive Director Karla Klay currently serves as the Executive Director of Artist Boat. She has 15 years of experience integrating the sciences and the arts. She has worked as an artist in residence for the Texas Commission on the Arts and an environmental educator for Texas A&M University at Galveston and the Galveston Bay Foundation. She earned a bachelor’s of fine arts in drawing from Southern Methodist University and a bachelor’s of science in marine biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston. She is an American Canoe Association (ACA) kayak instructor and is certified in 1st aid and CPR. |
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Rani Henderson, Director of Education Rani Henderson joined Artist Boat as a Science Interpreter in January of 2005 and currently serves as the Director of Education. She is experienced in “hands-on, feet-in” outdoor education in marine science, having worked in several educational outreach programs with Texas A&M University at Galveston. Rani earned a bachelor's of science in marine biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston. She is a certified CPR/1st aid provider, and she is an ACA certified kayak instructor. |
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Lisa Reznicek, Eco-Art Program Coordinator Lisa Reznicek has a bachelor’s of fine arts and a bachelor’s of science in anthropology from the University of Houston. Currently, she is working towards a master’s degree in marine resource management from Texas A&M, Galveston. Lisa’s works include several large, public mosaics around the Houston/Galveston area, in-school murals, and metal signage. She is an accomplished lifeguard, certified as a CPR and First Aid instructor, and has obtained certification as a level 2 ACA coastal kayak instructor and an NAI national interpreter. She loves rock music, movies, surfing, running, biking, paddling, cute dogs, and painting! Lisa has served Artist Boat as an Eco-Art Educator since September of 2006. |
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Nicole Ekstrom, Habitat & Stewardship Coordinator Nicole Ekstrom serves as the Habitat and Stewardship Coordinator for the Artist Boat, managing the Habitat Restoration Adventure Program. Through this program, she coordinates community based habitat restoration events with students as well as members of the community. Currently, this program is focusing on a 10-acre coastal prairie project at the Galveston Island State Park. In addition to habitat restoration, Nicole works with the Eco-Art Adventure program, taking students kayaking on Galveston Bay. Nicole has a bachelor's of science from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and a master's in marine resource management from Texas A&M Galveston. She has been with the Artist Boat since September 2006. Nicole is an ACA certified level 2 coastal kayak instructor. |
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Courtney Meiselman Courtney Meiselman recently graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute where she double majored in painting and art history. Her focus for the last several years has been depicting environmental issues and exploring sciences through an artistic practice. She is excited about the world in which we live, and is eager to share her interpretation through educational avenues. Evoking environmental awareness through experience is Courtney's favorite aspect of her current learning/teaching environment. In addition to her dedication to Artist Boat, she is a practicing studio artist. She is an ACA certified level 2 coastal kayak instructor and also enjoys riding her bicycle at any given moment for any given distance (including her daily commute to work)! |
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Emily Gillespie, Eco-Art Educator Emily Gillespie joined the Artist Boat family in August of 2009. She received a bachelor's of science in marine biology from Texas A&M Galveston in May of 2009. She is driven to work outdoors and to promote marine animal awareness and conservation and has experience with marine mammal rehabilitation and research. Her illustrative pieces have been published in scientific books. Some of her artwork can be seen on Galveston's Seawall Boulevard. Emily is an ACA certified level 2 coastal kayak instructor and feels right at home on the water! |
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Holly Fortenberry, Administrative Assistant
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K. Angel Horne, Eco-Art Educator K. Angel Horne is an on-the-go-green-girl and lover of books, music, nature and words. When she's not hard at work at Artist Boat, she enjoys her home in League City, Texas and stays busy cooking delicious vegan meals, reading (science, fiction, and of course, science fiction) and doing yoga. She tried to run away with the cirque, but they wouldn't take her, so she went and earned a communication arts degree instead. Advocating for animal rights and environmental justice has led her to work with amazing people and organizations such as Farm Sanctuary, Greenpeace, and Artist Boat. She is a certified lifeguard and an ACA level 2 coastal kayak instructor. If you find a typo on this website, want to donate advertising space, or just want to talk nutria and grammar, contact this girl. |
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Erika Watson, School Liaison Erika Watson has been an educator for the past 20 years specializing in early literacy development and coaching teachers. Her passion for the continuous development of children serves her well in her role as a program liaison for Artist Boat. Her strong communication and coordination skills ensure a successful outcome when school districts choose Artist Boat for their Eco-Art Workshops and Adventures. A life-long lover of the beach life, Erika is passionate about the preservation and protection of the beach and dune ecosystems and their wildlife inhabitants. She has traveled to over 15 countries, and loves to RV around the countryside with her husband Shannon and their four little dogs. “Remember that in the end it will be teachers who make a difference in children’s school lives. It is teachers who will either lead the change or resist and stymie it.” Richard Allington |
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