Colby grew up in Grayling and returned home full-time in 2017. She first got involved with the AuSable Artisan Village in 2021, appearing in the community theatre production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. She now serves as Board President and sits on the Nominating, Fundraising, and Marketing Committees.

Colby holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Notre Dame and is the owner of Sandpaper Creative, a marketing and creative agency, as well as co-owner of Catalyst Growth Marketing and Our Town Coffee & Treats. Her career includes a decade at Google, where she led partnerships and brand marketing for small businesses and volunteered with the Google for Nonprofits program, helping local organizations learn to use Google’s tools to further their missions. That work carried into five years as Director of Marketing and Development at Huron Pines, an environmental conservation nonprofit, where she led communications and fundraising efforts. With years of experience helping nonprofits build capacity and expand their reach, Colby brings that same expertise to her work as AAV’s Board President.

Abby has a Master of Arts in Geography, specializing in historical and cultural geography, from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. Born and raised on the Tantramar Marshes, a hub for the arts in Maritime Canada, Abby holds a deep appreciation for the connection landscape and history can have to the creative process. She has over 20 years of experience in community engagement and facilitation in the non-profit sector.

Abby’s involvement with the AuSable Artisan Village began in the spring of 2021, when she appeared in Love Letters, AAV’s very first community theatre production. She has also volunteered  for over 10 years on the planning committee of the Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner.which serves Thanksgiving dinner to hundreds of Crawford County residents each year. 

Abby joined the AAV Board in 2024. She currently serves on the Policy and Procedures, Nominating, and Education Committees.

Jillian has called the Grayling community home since 2011. A seasoned professional dancer, Jillian has dedicated herself to the art form since the tender age of 2, with over 20 years of experience in competitions and performances. Her academic pursuits led her to achieve a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Dance from MSU. Beyond her performing career, Jillian has been a dance instructor, national dance adjudicator, and the proud owner of her own dance studio. Beyond dance, she has devoted two decades to working with non-profit agencies, currently lending her expertise as the Executive Director of the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

She also serves on the Grant Committee, bringing her fundraising and community-partnership experience to AAV’s efforts to secure outside support.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jillian finds joy in her role as a devoted mother to her two sons, Jonas and Max. A music enthusiast, she savors moments spent listening to and attending live music events with cherished friends.

Nancy has been a volunteer with the AuSable Artisan Village for over 14 years. She is one of the early supporters who helped build the organization into what it is today. Nancy is one of the 70 artists who display work at the AAV, shares her talent for photography as a class instructor, and works the gallery one day a week, every week, unless she’s up in the U.P. visiting her grandkids. Beyond her regular gallery shifts, Nancy pitches in wherever needed at events and around the organization.

Nancy holds two business degrees from Kirtland Community College. A retired administrative professional with the Crawford AuSable School District, Nancy brings that same steady reliability to her role as Treasurer. She also serves on the Finance and Nominating Committees.

Mary is the co-owner of Our Town Coffee & Treats. Born and raised in Grayling, Mary graduated from Grayling High School and moved to Seattle, where she trained as a pastry chef at the Art Institute of Seattle. She went on to work in bakeries and restaurants in Seattle, Grand Rapids, Chicago, and, for the majority of her adult life, Portland, OR. Mary also holds a B.A. in English Literature from Portland State University.

Mary is deeply involved with the AuSable Artisan Village Community Theatre, directing, acting in, or otherwise supporting several productions each year. She serves on the Theatre Committee and the Nominating Committee.

Kent has been visiting and fishing in Grayling since childhood, and the AuSable River has always held a special place in his life. Four years ago, he and his wife Cherie purchased their forever home in Grayling, and moved here permanently nearly two years ago.

In 2001, Kent founded several financial businesses, including a financial planning firm, an investment management advisory company, and an insurance agency, which he continues to operate today.

As he approaches retirement, Kent looks forward to using his experience to support organizations that strengthen the community. He and Cherie have been passionate art collectors for many years, and Kent joined the AAV Board in 2026, where he serves on the Finance and Gallery Committees. He believes Grayling has the potential to become the “Art Capital” of Northern Michigan and is excited to support the artists, volunteers, and programs that make AAV such a vibrant part of the community.

Paige is a visual artist. She earned her associate degrees in Graphic Design and in Fine Art and Illustration from Kirtland Community College in May 2024. She is now continuing her studies at Kendall College of Art and Design.

In 2024, Paige won the Juror’s Choice Award of Excellence in the Great Northern Art Explosion for her pencil drawing. She brings her design talent directly to AAV as the artist behind all of the posters for the organization’s concerts, plays, and events, and serves on the Marketing Committee.

Angie serves as Regional Audit Manager for the State of Michigan by day, but her real passion shows in how much of her time she gives to Grayling’s students and community. She’s a fixture behind the scenes of Grayling High School’s theatre program — building sets, feeding hungry casts and crews, and doing whatever needs doing — and has also devoted many hours to volunteering in support of the Grayling High School Band.

Angie has been an active member of the AAV community theatre since its inception, and currently serves on the Community Theatre Committee.

Melissa holds a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University and brings over 20 years of experience in fostering collaborative solutions that support both people and the environment. She believes deeply in the power of community and is committed to helping AuSable Artisan Village thrive as a welcoming space for artists, residents, and visitors.

Melissa serves as President of the Grayling Recreational Authority Board. She brings her professional and civic leadership experience to her role at AAV, where she sits on the Policy and Procedures Committee. She looks forward to supporting the AAV’s mission to enrich lives and strengthen the local community through the arts.

Rick holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Michigan, an MBA from Oakland University, and is a registered Professional Engineer. He retired from General Motors as an engineering manager and has been with the Grayling High School RoboVikes robotics team since 2016, where he serves as Coach/Lead Mentor. Besides high school robotics, Rick volunteers with the Senior Center and Food Pantry.

Rick is a long-time afficionado of the arts, enjoying plays, music groups, and visual arts, supporting all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). He brings his interest in the arts along with his analytical mindset to his role on AAV’s Board, where he serves on the Finance Committee.