Sherry Robinson, President
Sherry recently relocated to Homer after visiting for several years. She has done drawing and painting and fiber arts for many years. She has volunteered extensively in promoting the arts and fundraising for her (now grown) children’s schools in Dallas, Texas. She is excited to continue volunteering in these areas through HCOA. Sherry particularly likes being involved in an organization that promotes accessibility and inclusivity in the arts!
Jim Anderson, Vice President
Jim was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Homer Alaska, and has lived in Hawaii, California, Japan, Utah, Arizona, New York City, South Carolina and Texas. He has a unique and diverse background in both Business and the Arts. He has been involved in the arts his entire life. An accomplished musician, Actor, Vocal Coach, Director, Producer and Choreographer, he is a 1987 graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and has a Business Management Degree from Alaska Pacific University. He has performed in Alaska, Los Angeles, Arizona, South Carolina and NYC. Jim has directed Youth Theater Arts programs for years and has recently introduced a Theater Arts-based Leadership Intensive for High School students that is part of his Launchpad Initiative that promotes the need for greater child advocacy throughout the nation. In 1991, Jim entered the corporate world and worked in the International Transportation and Logistics industry, and then in the Nuclear Cyber Security environment for over 26 years. Jim is also a Corporate Consultant, Executive Coach, Motivational Public Speaker and is currently working on a Business Venture for an International Arts and Leadership Alliance Project that he plans to launch in 2024.
Owen Brooks, Secretary & Treasurer
Owen was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska and has over a decade of experience working at non-profits and in social services. He is dedicated to improving systems to better serve clients with multiple barriers to quality care. His focus has been on survivors of domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness, people with substance use disorders and/or serious mental illness and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. He has served on the SE Advisory Board of Alaska AIDS Assistance Association, was Co-Chair of Identity from ’21-’23 where he oversaw the acquisition of a health clinic and grew revenue by $1m, helped found Housing Alaskans: a Public Private Partnership securing $5m appropriation from the Alaska Legislature, and served on the State Department of Health Healthy and Equitable Communities Advisory Board. He holds a BFA from Bard College and an MFA from Calarts. In his free time he likes to hunt, fish, harvest and play outdoors with his three dogs and husband.
Bill White
Dr. Bill White is a classical guitarist and composer based in Homer, Alaska and originally from Nampa, Idaho. Bill has appeared as soloist and chamber musician across the country and has released two albums: Moderno non Troppo, a selection of modern-but-not-too-modern works for solo guitar, and Echoes, a collection of works for viola and guitar recorded with his wife Elizabeth. As a composer, his works focus on texture and processes, often for large ensembles for similar instruments. Recent commissions include Sound Spaces for mixed electric and classical guitars for the Oh My Ears! new music festival in Phoenix, Arizona and Bowing, Breaking for strings, written for Homer OPUS. Bill holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University in guitar performance, and other degrees from California State University: East Bay and the University of Idaho.
Margaux Sheppard
While only a recent addition to the Homer community, Margaux has had a lifelong connection with Homer and its arts scene. Throughout her childhood, she spent the summers visiting her grandparents and participating in the Pier One Theatre summer camp. Eventually, Margaux figured out that she wanted to be a full-time Homer resident, so she moved down in 2024. She wasn’t sure how she would meet people or find new hobbies, but she quickly discovered an HCOA event from a flyer at the Bagel Shop. She was able to reconnect with her artistic side through the events/workshops HCOA brings to the community. These experiences helped her settle into the community, introducing her to new art forms such as ceramics and fiber arts, and introduced her to strangers who quickly became friends. Seeing firsthand what HCOA does inspired her to get involved and continue fostering that same sense of connection for others.