2023-2024 Board of Directors
Jordan Bongaarts
Board President
Jordan is an emerging artist, with a focus in acrylic painting. In 2018, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree and minors in Spanish and Horticulture. Jordan has a passion for gallery and museum work- she’s currently employed at the Northern Clay Center, and her resume also includes experience with the Walker Art Center, the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, the Minnesota Children’s Museum and the Hennepin History Museum. When Jordan’s not creating art or working, she can be found reading at home among her houseplants.
Wanda Borman
Director of Operations, Board Secretary
Wanda has served as the Executive Director of Dakota Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization responsible for the annual Eagan Art Festival, since 2004. She is also an artist and teacher with extensive experience in large event planning, fundraising, non-profit and board service, and arts advocacy. She is a founding member of Art Works and has been part of the Operations Team since it began in 2018. She has trained with ArtSage to work in facilities for elderly and memory care. Wanda is also an active community leader.
Caitlin Dowling
Director of Operations, General Counsel, Board Director
Caitlin wears many different hats – she is an attorney, ceramic artist, and non-profit administrator. Her legal practice has focused in real estate, general contract litigation, and non-profit law, and she has over 10 years’ experience serving on the board of a philanthropic trust. Caitlin has also been a professional ceramic artist since 2014 and teaches the occasional workshop in alternative firing methods. She is a founding member of Art Works and has been part of the Operations Team since it began in 2018. She is conversant in French and a mother to two budding artist daughters.
John Huisman
Board Director
John has over 25 years experience running his own design/build contracting company in Northern Minnesota and now lives in the South Metro area where he still runs his business and does extensive CAD drawings and design work. In his spare time he enjoys painting, drawing, sketching, woodworking and wood carving. He attends the figure drawing sessions at Art Works whenever he can.
Laurie Hunt
Board Treasurer
Laurie joined Art Works in 2018 as a front desk volunteer and continues in that role today, in addition to being Treasurer and Chair of the Budget and Finance committee. She claims to be more “craftsy” than “artsy”. Her background is in logistics, inventory management, and supply chain purchasing. Her hobbies include making sock snowmen and bunnies, reading, walking, doing puzzles and watching TV. (She also is known to be an annoying Mother to her 2 grown children.)
Jerri Neddermeyer
Director of Operations, Board Advisor
Jerri has 15 years of experience as a music educator and band director. She has extensive experience with large event management, program development, performance, public speaking, visioning, and arts advocacy. Jerri has been a professional ceramic artist for 10 years and has 6 years of teaching pottery. She is a founding member of Art Works and has been a part of the Operations Team since it began in 2018. She is also fluent in Portuguese and is able to play more instruments than you can probably imagine.
Jeff Sooy
Board Director
Jeff has 20 years of professional experience in technology for Internet and Financial firms and enjoys being hands on with tools and technology in his free time. Volunteering at a variety of events and being part of a creative community is what initially brought Jeff to Art Works. He is the proud stepfather of four grown kids and currently resides in Eagan with his wife and pets.
Drew Gorton
Board Director
Drew has 20 years of professional experience in technology, working in a variety of roles from programmer to CEO and many things in between. He lives in Burnsville and has been involved with a variety of community organizations over the years. Drew has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and North America and speaks several languages.
Past Board Members
Served Jan 2021 - Sept 2022
Served Nov 2019 - Feb 2022
Vice President Feb 2021 - Jun 2021
President Jun 2021 - Feb 2022
Served Jun 2018 - Dec 2021
Vice President Feb 2019 - Jun 2019
President Jun 2019 - Feb 2021
Treasurer Feb 2021 - Dec 2021
Served Oct 2019 - Jun 2021
President Feb 2021 - Jun 2021
Served Oct 2019 - Jan 2021
Served Jun 2018 - Dec 2020
Served Oct 2017 - Jun 2019
President Sep 2018 - Jun 2019
Served Feb 2016 - Feb 2019
Vice Pres. Feb 2016 - Feb 2018
Served Jan 2017 - Feb 2019
Served Jan 2017 - Oct 2017
Served Jan 2017 - Sep 2017