Wilma Rose, President
Serving as BCAC president since 2022, Wilma previously served as BCAC vice president for two years and Brighton Public Art Committee (BPAC) chair for five years. She was a Brighton City Council member for eight years, served as Legacy Foundation president for 10 years, and worked as a Brighton 27J Schools inclusion specialist for 17 years. In addition, Wilma was the Colorado Classified School Employees Association/American Federation of Labor (CCSEA/AFL) president for two years, the state CCSEA/AFL vice president for three years, and secretary for two years. Wilma is a Presbyterian Elder.
Dolly Garcia, Vice-President
Dolly Garcia has lived in Commerce City since 2005 but has been very active in Brighton arts and culture over the years. During this time she joined Platte Valley Players and has served as secretary, president, and treasurer. Since 2007, Dolly has volunteered at Eagle View Adult Center as an instructor. She was recognized for her work as the director of the Reader’s Theatre program in 2015. In 2021 she earned The Brighton Excellence in Arts Beyond Brighton Award for her contribution to local arts. In 2022 she was invited to join the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission and currently holds the position of vice president.
Stephanie Brown, Treasurer
Stephanie Brown has lived in Brighton since 2010. She is a fused glass artist and rents studio space in downtown Brighton at Main Street Gallery, where her creations are displayed. The 2021 recipient of the Brighton Excellence in Arts award for Outstanding Volunteer in Cultural Arts, Stephanie is very involved in her community. She previously served on the Brighton Public Art Committee, currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee, and also serves as the treasurer for the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission.
Lindy L. Olson, Secretary
With over 30 years of professional experience in marketing, writing, editing, and teaching, Lindy serves as the current secretary of BCAC and the co-chair of the Social Media/Marketing Committee. In addition to volunteering with local schools and political organizations, Lindy works as a studio artist at Main Street Gallery in Brighton, where she paints pet portraits in pastels. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Rocky Mountain Chapter, Lindy illustrated her first children’s book in 2023. She earned her master’s degree in English and American literature from Washington University in St. Louis.
Kathy Wardle, Past President
Kathy Wardle is a professional sculptor and retired high school and college art teacher. She has been a member of BCAC since 2008 and has served as vice president and president. Kathy holds a master’s degree in art. She has held memberships in the National Sculpture Society, Women Artists of the West, Marine Artists of America, and Colorado Plein Air Artists. Her sculpture, The Sandpaper Track, is located outside the Armory Performing Arts Center in Brighton.
Elena Guerrero Townsend
Elena Guerrero Townsend, is a retired locomotive engineer who loves to write, quilt, and paint. An author of Latina poems and short stories, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Northern Colorado. Elena is a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council, Brighton Cultural Arts Commission, Chicano Humanities & Arts Council (CHAC), and the Brighton Writers Group, as well as Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors (CALMA). In 2023, Elena earned the Brighton Excellence in Arts Master of Literary Arts Award. An avid Chicano/a art collector, Elena can be found reading her poetry at open mics and poetry slams around the greater Denver area.
Natalie Beck
Natalie has been photographing for over 30 years and runs her own business photographing weddings, portraits, and senior pictures. She earned her master’s in humanities with a dual platform between English and photography from the University of Colorado at Denver. Natalie is very involved in her community, volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children and serving on Eagle Ridge Academy’s School Accountability Committee. She also rejoined BCAC in 2023 and currently serves as the co-chair of the Social Media/Marketing Committee.
Sonja Brown
Sonja has been a Commercial Property Manager with Wells Fargo Bank since 2003. She served on the Arvada Hockey Association board from 2020 until 2024, as the PTO President at STEM Launch from 2015 to 2020, and on the local Denver chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) board from 2002 to 2004. Sonja has served on the board of BCAC since 2023. When she isn’t volunteering or working, Sonja enjoys gardening, arts and crafts, holistic health, hiking, camping, paddle boarding, ice skating, and skiing. Sonja tries to keep up with her two boys’ interests, including ice hockey. She received her bachelor’s degree in interior design from the Interior Design Institute of Denver in 1994.
Laurie Maier
Laurie Maier served 25 years in various roles with the Brighton Police Department and 23 years as executive assistant to the director of Brighton Public Works. During that time, she implemented and directed the Eye for Art, Sculpture on Loan, and Art in the Park programs. She served six to eight years in various leadership roles on the School District 27J Board of Education, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, Brighton Softball Association, and Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. She has owned several small businesses and actively volunteers for the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission and Lifespark Cancer Resources.