Megan Davis, Executive Director
Megan Davis is the former executive director of Interfaith Caregivers, where she led a volunteer transportation program for the elderly and the community gift giving program Gift Tree. More recently, Davis served as Trust Specialist at Nottingham Trust, a division of Community Bank N.A. Known to the council for previously serving as Assistant to the Executive Director Mikel Wintermantel before his retirement in 2022, Davis has been instrumental in fostering the collaboration of community mural projects such as the Meg Saligman mural on the JCC Campus in Olean. The Tri-County Arts Council welcomes her professional experience, talents and appreciation of the arts.
Geraldine Nash Smith, Ceramics Studio Director
Geraldine Nash Smith received her BS in Studio Art from Nazareth College of Rochester and her MFA in Ceramics from the School of American Craft at Rochester Institute of Technology. Geraldine has been teaching for over 30 years, ceramics and sculpture have been her main areas of instruction, but she has also taught design, drawing, painting and printmaking. Her students have ranged from kindergarteners to young 78-year olds. Locally, she has taught at Olean JCC, Empire State College, St. Bonaventure University, and Archbishop Walsh/ Southern Tier Schools. She lives in Olean with her husband Michael, they have two adult children, and they have one teenage daughter at home.
Violet Nolder, Studio Assistant and Education Coordinator
Violet is a graduate of JCC in Olean with a major in Business with a minor in Art. She loves all art mediums but is very passionate about ceramics. She is an entrepreneur making and selling her own ceramic works as "Violet's Pottery Shed". She is excited to be working and making connections with the Tri County Arts Council.
Mikel Wintermantel, Executive Director, Emeritus
Mikel Wintermantel is a nationally recognized Copley Master artist and unwavering supporter of the regional arts scene. He was also a local businessman in partnership with his brothers at Studio 4 East Screenprinting for over 40 years. He has been an integral part of the Arts Council since its inception. After the Olean Arts Association dissolved in the early 80's, Wintermantel held informal meetings with area artists and musicians in his studio on a monthly basis for years. He is driven to build the Tri-County Arts Council into the thriving, vibrant community of creatives across the southern tier of NYS. His work and CV can be seen here: www.mikelwintermantel.com.