Board Members
Lynne Okun, (Photo by Trinity Wheeler)
Lynne Okun
Lynne Okun, MFT, Registered Art Therapist (ATR, BC) has been the Executive Director of Kids Arts since 2001. She is the driving force behind Kids’ Arts and has been responsible for our success. Lynne has been involved with Ventura County youth for the past 12 years and is a mentor for many young artists in the community. Ms. Okun earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Design from UC Davis and MS in Art Therapy and Counseling from CSU Sacramento. She has dedicated much of her career to providing safe, supportive counseling and mentorship to youth in short and long term foster care. Lynne is inspired by the power of the arts as a tool for learning about the world around us and inside of us. She is a digital collage and multimedia artist and avid “crafter.” Her most recent inspiration is her connection to her garden, and her newest endeavor– edible food forests.
Lynne Thurson
Lynne Thurston
Lynne Thurston has combined degrees in psychology and education with an extensive background in dance, theater arts and yoga. She has been involved in the arts since childhood and continues her interest today as a singer/songwriter, author, choreographer and teacher. She has practiced various forms of yoga and meditation for over forty years. She has incorporated all of these aspects into her eclectic approach in teaching children and adults for over thirty years. Lynne is a California State credentialed health & fitness and yoga instructor and is currently teaching for Ventura Adult Education; Yoga Jones; the City of Ventura and privately as an independent contractor. She has served on numerous art and educational boards, and is currently the President of the Kids’ Arts board.
Joan Roberts
Joan Roberts
Joan Roberts, Treasurer, founded Kids Arts in 1992. She was the President of Childrens Services Auxiliary, working with foster children, and saw the need for art and dance in the lives of children placed in the foster care system. Joan has been an advocate for children for the last 30 years. She served on the board of Childrens Services Auxiliary for 10 years. She also served on the Citizens Advisory Board with California Youth Authority working with youthful offenders for 9 years. In 2008 Joan became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) working with foster children. She has 2 young girls in Kenya that she supports and has gone to visit several times.
Marcia Hamilton
Marcia Hamilton