Arts Consortium of Carver County

Board of Directors

Steve Kelzer

Lifelong Carver County resident, Steve Kelzer has been involved in all aspects of music, from composing original music for theater, commercials, and film as well as musical director for theater and performing (keyboards) in numerous groups. Steve is the great-great-grandson of alfalfa pioneer Wendelin Grimm and is the 5th generation to farm Wendelin’s second homestead located in Laketown Township. Link to Directory Listing

Amy Stender

Amy is a Minnesota Book Award-nominated author of Relic Chosen: Magic and Madness  (North Star Press, St. Cloud), Through the Woods, and Next Weekend (Lulu Publishing). She began writing at a young age and never thought to stop. She graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, with a BA in Psychology but never strayed far from her artistic and literary passions. Amy is currently working on a rural cozy mystery series, the first book Farmed & Dangerous, soon to be released from Fox Pointe Publishing. A native Minnesotan who grew up in Chaska, MN, this “city girl” now lives with her husband, their daughter, a 15lb cat, & 100 dairy cows on their farm in Norwood Young America.  Link to Directory Listing

Mary Strother

Mary received both her Bachelor’s and Master of Fine Arts degrees at the University of Minnesota in the areas of photography and drawing. She is a retired art professor from Normandale Community College where she taught black and white photography, drawing and art history for 34 years. She also directed their student international education for several years.

Her artwork stems from her strong interest in water. She is on the board of the Friends of the Minnesota River and the Carver County Water Management. Her interest in water also means she loves fishing and boats.

Mary has lived in rural Carver County for over 30 years and is active in the community. She is a member of the League of Women Voters of Carver county. She is an election judge for Dahlgren Township. She volunteered at East Union School years ago when her children attended and continue to do so today. She is also active in a dog rescue organization. Link to Directory Listing

Katie Trent

Katie Trent has been living in the city of Chanhassen for over 30 years, though is not a native Minnesotan, having grown up in Bellingham, WA. She has been an active glass artist for over 20 years, expanding her interests and techniques from classic “Tiffany” style stained glass pieces to mosaics and most recently fused glass. She has developed classes in glass art for beginners, teaching at the Art’s Center, Glass Endeavors, and in her own studio. She is a physical therapist for Ridgeview and continues to work full-time in that field. Her other interests include golf and yoga. Link to Directory Listing

Special Roles

Cynthia Anderson

Cynthia (Cindy) Anderson is a marketing professional, an artist, and a business owner. Her medium is in steel, stone, and glass and is inspired by the aerial views of community and nature, which is evident in much of her work. As a visionary, she brings the ability to see long-term and see current and future opportunities for the Arts Consortium of Carver County.

She is actively involved in the community and is an advocate for many. She is an active member and former Board member of the Chaska Rotary, former Chair Gala committee, served on the International Water project,  and co-Chair of the Turkey Trot 5K Race. She is past Chair of the former Chaska Chamber of Commerce. Cindy is a current Board member and past co-Chair of the Saints Foundation for St. Francis Hospital and St. Gertrude’s and served as past Chair for the Foundation Gala. She is a volunteer and advocate of the Boy Scouts and is a current Board member of the District 112 Foundation. She was awarded the Horizon Award for the Benedictine Health System and also the Paul Harris Award through Rotary. Link to Directory Listing

Barbara Cobb

Barbara is a well-organized, results-oriented graphic design professional. She is a talented designer with over 25 years of experience. Her specialties include Project design and layout using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat). Barbara volunteers on our Marketing Committee and provides us with creative graphic tools like logos/icons, brochures, postcards, posters, social media images, and more. Link to Directory Listing

Norma Marien

After a career in marketing, communications, and administration, Norma spends her retirement on a number of volunteer activities. She currently serves on the Board of the Friends of Excelsior Library, plays clarinet/bass clarinet in several community bands and ensembles, volunteers in the marketing and education departments at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and serves on committees within the Chaska Area Quilt Club. She is an aspiring artist, primarily in quilting, dyeing, and textile art, as well as colored pencil, pen & ink, and graphite. Norma graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Journalism (advertising sequence) and currently lives in Shorewood.