Studio Leads & Volunteers
Betsy Hagestedt
Betsy Hagestedt
Betsy has been playing with fiber since she was in elementary school, sewing and knitting her own clothing and constantly playing with new techniques and materials. Due to its portability, knitting became her area of expertise when she began pursuing graduate studies abroad. She has lived, studied and researched in northern England, Victoria, BC, Calgary, AB, and Quito and Puyo Ecuador. As an anthropologist, though her research didn’t focus on fiber arts, knitting became a universal point of connection with diverse people around the world. Leaving academia, Betsy has now shifted to a focus on teaching fiber arts as a career, focusing on knitting, sewing, and mixed media constructions like cosplay.
Fiber Arts Studio Lead
Karen Olch
Karen Olch
Olch, in 1985. They lived in Bethesda, Maryland; San Diego, California; Farmington, Connecticut and Okinawa, Japan before the Navy transferred them to the Pacific Northwest. They settled in Kitsap County in 1997 and moved to Bainbridge Island in 2017. Their adult son, Matthew, is a video game animator in the Seattle area.
Karen has always loved to look at and collect jewelry, so when she took her first class in the jewelry studio, she was hooked. She attended multiple classes and is friends with all the instructors and many other participants. She understands the importance of organization and working together to provide an atmosphere of safety, judicious use of resources, and enjoyment of the creative processes in crafting jewelry.
Jewelry & Fine Metals Studio Lead
Chris West
Chris West
Chris West is a tech industry veteran who took a step back from corporate life and started a journey that would lead deep into the wild, wonderful world of culinary arts. He found his way to the Seattle Culinary Academy (SCA) where his passion for cooking bloomed. His love of science blended perfectly with the school’s strong focus on culinary theory and this kindled a fire that still burns today.
Since graduating from culinary school, Chris worked as an instructor for SCA and Seattle Public Schools, spent many years working as a culinary tutor, worked the line in a hip Seattle restaurant, and volunteered for many high-minded culinary endeavors.
In 2021, Chris moved to Bainbridge from Ballard with his wife, Kerry, and The Horde (many cats and dogs). His other favorite things include tending the garden, smoking meats, curing fish, fermenting veggies, rolling pasta, and exploring hidden island trails.
Kitchen Arts Studio Lead
Courtney Jones
Courtney G. Jones
Courtney G. Jones is a 30 year veteran of the film & television industry who has been an advocate for the kind of accessibility mobile filmmaking brings to creators for several years. Not only does Courtney serve as Head of Development for Steve Zahn & Rick Gomez’s company, Macaroni Art Productions, but he has produced and directed feature films, commercials, documentaries, and series… some of which have been shot on mobile. Mr. Jones brings a wealth of technical and creative know-how to the classroom.
Courtney’s main goal with teaching mobile content creation is to show that anyone can make something amazing with the technology that is in their pocket.
When Courtney is not writing, producing, filming, editing or teaching, he’s typically daydreaming about flying, living on a boat, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Media Arts Studio Lead
David Hays
David Hays
As a young man, David worked as a machinist while earning his engineering degrees. His engineering work led him to operate his own computer and network services company for 25+ years. David and his wife, Joan, lived in Sammamish for 20 years where he had both a woodshop and machine shop that included a DIY CNC mill. They moved to Bainbridge Island late in 2018 and became active at BARN in 2019.
Metal Fabrication Studio Lead
Jane Kim
Jane Kim
Jane is a book arts, letterpress, junk journaling, and mixed media enthusiast who loves to make grungy and messy art. She enjoys sharing her love of junk journaling with others by teaching classes and workshops for kids and teens. Jane and her family fell in love with Bainbridge Island while on a vacation in the summer of 2022. By the fall of that year, they had moved to the island, and Jane became active in the Print and Book Arts Studio at BARN.
Print & Book Arts Studio Lead
Doug Salot
Doug Salot
Doug, who heads BARN’s Electronic & Technical Arts Studio, started playing the guitar more than a decade ago and occasionally tries to distract himself by building guitars and ukuleles.
Tech Lab Studio Lead
Staff
Darryn Achall
Darryn Achall
Darryn joined BARN as Facility Manager in August 2019. He has education in electrical systems, mechanical systems and a B.S. in Information Technology which is very useful at BARN. Prior work experience includes 25 years managing commercial and residential properties. Darryn was Facility Director for a county hospital campus in Wyoming, overseeing the buildings, grounds, utility plant, and medical equipment maintenance. After moving to Washington, Darryn recently managed the teams maintaining 630 residential rental homes in 5 neighborhoods.
The most recent adventure outside of work for Darryn has been to take up cold water scuba diving. He is looking forward to taking the next Lapidary class offered at BARN and plans to spend some spare time in the woodworking and jewelry studios. He sees his role of Facility Manager as organizing, maintaining, and improving the physical property in order to support the artists, teachers, students and craftsmen of our community. His goal is to give each of you the best experience you can have at BARN.
Facilities Manager
206-842-4475 ext. 218
Grae Drake
Grae Drake
BARN’s Executive Director, Grae Drake, took the helm in May of 2022. He brings his experience in building mission-driven products, teams, and companies as a senior executive in the educational technology sector. In addition, he has a background in corporate law and as a nonprofit board member. He also loves to make things. That passion led him to a role as the volunteer Studio Lead for BARN’s Glass Arts Studio.
“I’ve been in love with BARN since my first class here. The craft, the space, and, most importantly, the people are a joy to be around. Joining BARN as a member and serving as a volunteer has been deeply rewarding. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to make life better for the members working in the studios and the volunteers that make our studios thrive. From a higher level I’m looking forward to expanding the reach of our community (particularly for those who’ve had trouble accessing BARN in the past) and the role of creativity and craft in kitsap and beyond.”
Executive Director
206-842-4475 ext. 201
Fran Fuller
Fran Fuller
Fran got hooked on BARN before she even officially moved to Bainbridge Island in 2019, and she was thrilled to join BARN staff in March 2023. She hopes skills she developed in her professional life can enhance the BARN experience for every member, guest, volunteer and instructor Fran has degrees in journalism, business, international studies, and landscape architecture, and while much of her career was spent managing people, projects, and budgets in Silicon Valley, she has also worked as an editor, writer, teacher, and landscape designer.
Fran learned to sew from her mom when she was about 6 and taught herself to knit from a book when she was about 8. This lifelong love of fiber drew her naturally to the Fiber Arts Studio, where, prior to joining staff, she volunteered as lead and sewing programming coordinator. One of her accomplishments as a volunteer was to upgrade much of the studio’s sewing equipment, and among her greatest pleasures is seeing these new tools support and fuel the creativity of members and guests!
Operations Manager
206-842-4475 ext. 216
Carolyn Goodwin
Carolyn Goodwin
Carolyn has worked as a corporate marketing executive and consultant for companies such as Ste. Michelle, Amazon, and T-Mobile. She has also volunteered for many Island non-profits and is a passionate evangelist for local food. Since the late 1990’s, Carolyn has actively supported the food and farming community on and around Bainbridge Island. She co-founded Sound Food, a non-profit group dedicated to strengthening the food system in Kitsap County and the West Sound area, and served on the boards of Sustainable Bainbridge and One Call for All.
Carolyn’s involvement with BARN began in 2012. She served on the BARN Board of Directors during the visioning and building stage, and has volunteered as a member of the Kitchen Arts Steering and Programming Committees. Today her energy is focused on growing class participation and membership, and expanding awareness of BARN both regionally and nationally.
When she’s not at BARN, Carolyn enjoys playing with food — growing it, cooking it, reading about it, and eating it. She also enjoys learning. AT BARN, she learned to make a coptic-bound sketchbook that she uses regularly and fused glass platters, and has taken classes in calligraphy, writing, bread-making, and pie-baking. She looks forward to continuing to explore new possibilities at BARN.
Marketing Director
206-842-1551
Jess Henderson
Jess Henderson
Jess’ background is in performing and visual arts, with degrees from Williams College and New England Conservatory. Jess came to BARN in 2019 after eleven years as the Arts Coordinator at IslandWood, where she oversaw arts education programs for all ages. Prior to working at IslandWood, Jess was the Director of an overnight summer camp located on 900 acres on a mountaintop in Pennsylvania.
Outside of her work at BARN, Jess loves to sing and can be heard singing jazz standards at some of the local venues on Bainbridge Island. She’s also enjoyed bringing this passion to BARN where she directs a community singing group! Jess has found much joy in making fun items at BARN: a purse sewn from repurposed coffee bags, a laser-cut winner’s medal, a set of 50 letterpressed holiday cards, a stamped pendant necklace, and a delicious apple pie!
Development Manager
206-842-4475 ext. 203
Kate Henderson
Kate Henderson
Kate has a special love for learning through creating. In her former career as an elementary school librarian, she started a mobile makerspace on a rolling cart as a lunchtime activity for her students. It grew until it eventually became a full maker studio open to all grades and abilities.
Her adventures have taken her from her first job as a tour guide at Universal Studios to living in Ireland to teaching a class on Texas Hold’em. She holds two diplomas in the history of art, one from University College Dublin, and one from the University of Cambridge.
If she isn’t volunteering and acting in community theater or visiting museums of all sorts, you will find her playing board and card games and of course getting crafty with embroidery and on her Cricut.
“I am so excited to join the team at BARN and to support the creators and makers of our region!”
Membership & Volunteer Coordinator
206-842-4475 ext. 202
Sarah Jones
Sarah Jones
Sarah is a Bainbridge Island artist and teacher with a background in fine metal arts, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, stained glass and photography. She is a BARN founding member, core instructor, programming and steering committee member for the jewelry/fine metal arts studio.
Growing up in New Zealand made the decision to move to Bainbridge in 2012 easy for Sarah. The familiar weather, landscape and the small community felt like home immediately. She knew right away Bainbridge would provide the wholesome childhood memories she wanted her son to grow up with. Sarah calls the PNW her home away from home.
Getting involved in developing and teaching youth classes, as well as summer camps at BARN has given Sarah the opportunity to give back to the community she loves. Providing a space where local youth and families can create, connect, inspire and be inspired is what drives her.
When Sarah is not working, teaching or taking classes at BARN in print, glass, wood, jewelry or kitchen arts, you can find her in her other happy place, her home with her family and their dog listening to music, cooking food and making art.
Youth Programs Coordinator
206-842-4475 ext. 224
Meghan Males
Meghan Males
Meghan joined the BARN staff in January of 2019. Her main responsibilities are as our Bookkeeper and managing the outside rentals of event space at BARN, as well as managing local producers and vendors that rent the BARN commercial kitchen for business production. She also helps with internal coordination for some of the larger BARN wide events that happen throughout the year, and is the go to in the office for any questions regarding food or alcohol service in the building.
Meghan has almost 20 years experience in the Hospitality and Food Service Industry. After finishing her degree in History and Psychology from Boston University, she attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco where she received an Associates in Culinary Arts. She went on to work as a chef in restaurants, hotels, and corporate dining throughout the Bay Area. Some career highlights include being the Executive Chef for the opening of a Rick Bayless restaurant, feeding large numbers of employees as a Corporate Chef at Gap Inc., and working as a Financial Analyst managing the business side of multiple Corporate Dining facilities.
Meghan is a passionate gardener, and happiest digging in the dirt with her dogs in the yard. She is looking forward to using the Wood Studio to help refinish an outdoor antique chair and to build some cold frames for the garden. She finds inspiration in the creativity and passion she experiences every day at BARN and is motivated by the volunteerism and commitment of its members.
Bookkeeper
206-842-4475 ext. 217
Abby Wyatt
Abby Wyatt
Abby became part of the BARN team in February of 2022. Having grown up on Bainbridge Island, she’s happy to be back working locally. Abby has a BFA in theatre design/technology from the University of Montana. Most recently, she worked as the Marketing Coordinator for a Montana-based company. As BARN’s Digital Marketing Coordinator, her focus is on promoting all the exciting goings-on at BARN!
When she’s not at BARN, Abby enjoys gardening, photography, and spending time with her family. Since Abby specialized in costume design before switching to marketing, she’s particularly looking forward to spending time in BARN’s fiber studio.
Digital Marketing Coordinator
206-842-4475 ext. 223
Board of Directors
Sallie Maron
Sallie Maron
Sallie has been picking blackberries on Bainbridge Island since moving here with her family in 1978. She has been involved with a number of community organizations, including the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, Sustainable Bainbridge, and the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association. She was a founding board member and previous President of BARN. Sallie was honored as an Island Treasure in 2017. A few of her other activities include being the owner of an artisan food company, an art docent in our local schools, and work in an American craft-focused gallery. She loves bringing people together.
President
Wayne Roth
Wayne Roth
Wayne worked in public media for most of his professional life, including thirty years as the President & General Manager of KUOW Public Radio. He was elected to three terms on the National Public Radio Board of Directors (NPR), and served two years as Chair. He co-founded and was the managing director of the Northwest News Network, a regional consortium that produces news reports and features for public radio stations in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. After retiring from KUOW Wayne was elected to a four-year term on the Bainbridge Island City Council. In 2017 he chaired the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC). Wayne serves as a director of Ballantine Communications, a newspaper publisher serving southwest Colorado. He served on the boards of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association and the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council. He helped establish the Marge Williams Office Center in 1999. He joined the BARN Board of Directors in 2018.
Vice President
Lynn Agnew
Lynn Agnew
Lynn is a working book artist and retired educator. In addition to working as a teacher and school administrator, she worked for Microsoft and created curriculum for the WA State Arts Commission. Her artistic focus is currently on making books and fabric pieces. Her work can be found in university and private collections around the country. She still teaches both book arts and printmaking classes. Lynn graduated from Middlebury College and holds a Master’s degree in Administration and the Visual Arts from Bank Street College of Education and Parsons School of Design. Lynn has served as a trustee on the boards of Hyla Middle School and The Bainbridge Community Foundation. She lives in Kingston with her husband Bill Agnew.
Secretary
Ian Forbes
Ian Forbes
Ian is a Canadian, growing up in Waterloo, Ontario. He is a Systems Design Engineering graduate and entrepreneur. In 1980 he established a video services company, coinciding with the launch of the VHS video format. This evolved into pioneering the development of “digital signage” software, utilizing powerful new graphics computers and the initial introduction of “flat-screen” TVs. In 2003, he and his wife, Dianne Speers, relocated to Bainbridge Island.
Ian has been involved in community volunteering his whole working life. Upon arrival on Bainbridge Island, he was recruited to the B.E.S.T. Board of Directors and became a founding VP of the newly amalgamated Bainbridge Schools Foundation, and then a two-term President. He has also served as a Director of the Meadowmeer Water Services Assoc, Eagle Harbor Congregational Church and Island Volunteer Caregivers. In 2016 and 2019, he was co-chair of Bainbridge Island Public School Supporters. Ian joined the BARN board in 2020 and is looking forward to supporting the sustainable operation and growth of BARN, an island treasure with enormous potential to support artisans both locally and nationally.
Treasurer
Grae Drake
Grae Drake
BARN’s Executive Director, Grae Drake, took the helm in May of 2022. He brings his experience in building mission-driven products, teams, and companies as a senior executive in the educational technology sector. In addition, he has a background in corporate law and as a nonprofit board member. He also loves to make things. That passion led him to a role as the volunteer Studio Lead for BARN’s Glass Arts Studio.
“I’ve been in love with BARN since my first class here. The craft, the space, and, most importantly, the people are a joy to be around. Joining BARN as a member and serving as a volunteer has been deeply rewarding. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to make life better for the members working in the studios and the volunteers that make our studios thrive. From a higher level I’m looking forward to expanding the reach of our community (particularly for those who’ve had trouble accessing BARN in the past) and the role of creativity and craft in kitsap and beyond.”
Director
Kimber Brown
Kimber Brown
Kimber was born and raised in Seattle, a third generation Washingtonian, and moved to Bainbridge in 1989. She comes to BARN from a career in event planning, marketing and volunteer management in broadcasting and sports marketing working at KJR AM and with Bob Walsh and Associates in Seattle. She founded Audion Laboratories, Inc on Bainbridge Island in 1992 where she successfully launched VoxPro, a popular digital audio editing program used in news and control rooms around the world. She retired as chief operating office of Audion in 2015 after overseeing the sale of the business to Wheatstone, a leading manufacturer of broadcast console and audio equipment. Kimber received a BA degree from Washington State University in Advertising/Broadcast Production. Her past board experience includes the Corporate Board of the King County Boys and Girls Clubs, Kids Auction Board, the Board of Trustees of Holy Names Academy, as well as volunteering for Hyla Middle School on Bainbridge Island and the Amabile Choir. She claims the wood shop as her home studio at BARN and joined the board in 2021. You can find her behind a piano, digging in her garden, or walking in Gazzam when she’s not working on BARN activities.
Director
Grace Harris
Grace Harris
Grace Harris is a retired middle school math teacher, public sector internal auditor and financial manager, and has been a working jewelry artist since 2007. She was a financial auditor for Price Waterhouse & Co and large public sector organizations in Seattle, WA, financial supervisor for King County Wastewater Department, WA, budget manager for the Seattle Parks and Recreation, and reviewed economic and engineering analyses for large construction project business cases for the Seattle Public Utilities.
She has been a participant since 2009 and board president of the Bainbridge Studio Tour for three years of those years, a member of the Bainbridge Island Public Arts Committee since 2014, and is a member and current manager of the Verksted Cooperative Art Gallery in Poulsbo.
Director
Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams
Jeff spent 30 years as a firefighter for California State and Orange County agencies, and another 10 Director of Marketing and Events for The Orange County Professional Firefighter Association. Jeff has worked with the Boy Scouts, was Marketing Director of the 400-member North Coast Aquatics Swim Team, and the School Site Director for a new campus design team for the Vista Unified School District, California. And then, after a move to the Northwest in 2017, Jeff was involved with the Bainbridge Island Community Woodworkers. This led to being manager of the extensive cabinet project for the BARN facility as well as being on the Wood Studio Steering Committee. Jeff joined the BARN Board of Directors in 2018.
Director
Sean Eaton
Sean Eaton
Sean’s been an educator on Bainbridge since 1997. He’s taught technology, shop, computer science, and media classes at Woodward Middle School and BHS. He started the Career & Technical Education program at the middle school and went on to become the Career & Technical Education Director for the school district six years ago. Over the years he’s also coached track, football, wrestling, and robotics teams.
Sean enjoys woodworking (ask him about the pygmy kayak he built) and software-driven tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC machines for creative projects. In his spare time he enjoys playing games and hanging out with his family boating, fishing and just about any sport.
Director
