Mike Gleason, Chief Executive Officer
Mike grew up on a small family farm in Western Oregon in a family of Educators. Upon graduation from Western Oregon State University, Mike moved to Pohnpei in Micronesia where he spent six years as an ESL teacher. He then returned to Oregon and bought a farm and raised cattle while working nights on his master’s degree courses.
After completing his course work in 1988, Mike and his family moved to Pahoa Hawaii where he taught special education classes at Pahoa High and Intermediate School. He later became Vice Principal of the Intermediate School. In 2000, Mike was selected as the CEO of the Arc of Hilo and remained in that position for 15 years, accomplishing many program and facility upgrades. He moved back to Oregon to help care for his aging mother in 2015 and stayed on the mainland for eight years, substitute teaching and semi retiring. Mike always wanted to return to Hawaii as he had spent nearly 30 years on the Big Island. In 2023 he took a job as the Executive Director at Windward Seniors Day Care Center in Kailua on Oahu again increasing programs and facilities. Mike accepted the position as CEO for the Volcano Art Center and is extremely happy to be back at home on Hawaii Island.
Emily Catey Weiss, Director of Development & Galleries
Emily has years of experience coordinating public art programs and exhibits. She earned a B.F.A. from Ohio State University in 2000, which paved the way for Emily Catey Photography, LLC, which she ran successfully in Hale’iwa on Oahu’s North Shore before moving to the Big Island in 2009. From 2004 to 2009 she was involved in various civic, business and state organizations in the revitalization of Honolulu’s Arts District. She also served as President of the Hale’iwa Arts Festival. She joined VAC as Program Director in 2009. Since then, she has held various positions within the organization. Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that cultivating, sustaining, and celebrating the arts is essential to a vibrant community.
Jenette Goss, Program Director
Jenette grew up in Honolulu spending a great deal of her time building her small business. In the late 1980s, her business brought her to Hilo. Owning her own business provided her with the opportunity to meet many people, travel, and experience a variety of world cultures throughout the USA, Asia, and Europe. She joined the VAC staff in 2015 and her ability to adapt has afforded her the opportunity to become proficient in several VAC positions. As of February 2021, she is the VAC’s Program Manager, responsible for the coordination, and marketing of the community educational programs, classes, and workshops. She also updates the VAC’s website, advertises VAC services in a variety of media outlets to include but not limited to local news and tourist informational sources. Jenette enjoys working and meeting people. She manages the membership, sales, and inventory of the Rainforest gallery, and assists with VAC’s special programs and functions.
Claudia Schonbrod, Assistant Gallery Manager
Born and raised in Lima/Peru, Claudia earned her B.F.A. in Photography in 2015 and later pursued an Artistic Master’s degree in Contemporary Photography and Personal Projects in Madrid/Spain. After moving back to Peru in 2017, Claudia expanded her skill set by earning her a degree in Graphic Design in 2021. She gained extensive experience working in several Fine Art Printing Labs throughout Lima, where she developed her expertise in fine art paper, framing, and digital editing.
A turning point in Claudia’s life came when she met her husband Eli. This connection led her to the stunning island of Hawai’i, where she fell in love with its culture and rich heritage. Claudia joined the Volcano Art Center in September of 2022 as a volunteer, and by 2024, she began working as a Web Specialist. Claudia quickly worked her way up to Inventory Entry Specialist and was promoted to Assistant Gallery Manager in January 2025.
Claire Nolan, Inventory Procurement Specialist & Sales Associate
Claire was born and raised on the East Coast but has been a Hawai’i resident since the 1980s. She has always possessed a great appreciation for art and artists. On her travels in Southern France and Italy, she recognized how the natural landscapes inspired the masters. She joined VAC’s gallery sales team in 2001, shortly after moving to Volcano from Maui. She especially enjoys sharing the inspiration behind the artwork with residents and visitors.
Chris Albus, Packing & Shipping Handler
Born and raised on Oʻahu to a painter and a marine biologist, I grew up exploring the ocean and mountains, developing a deep connection to nature and creativity. I studied sculpture and glass at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and later earned a teaching degree from San Diego State University. Passionate about community public arts, I worked with the UH Gallery and the State Foundation on Public Arts before moving on to teaching–first as a math teacher and then returning to develop curriculum and teach a K-6 art program for a local school on the Big Island.
I am inspired daily by my three creative children, and our home is always alive with art projects, experiments in permaculture, and animals. Currently, I work at the Volcano Art Center, where the natural surroundings and community of artists fuel my creative pursuits. Alongside my adventures in growing food in our mini food forest here in Mountain View, I am rekindling my love for sculpture and printmaking.
Mignon Phitides, Sales Associate
Born and raised in the beautiful country of South Africa, where from an early age I was taught to have a deep appreciation and love for nature, animals and art. This grew into an intimate connection with the incredible biodiversity of the fauna and flora of Southern Africa, as the art thereof expressed feelings, thoughts, and observations. I studied at the “American Academy of Dramatic Arts” in NYC, whereafter I continued my studies in Filmmaking at “Maine Media Workshops” in Rockport. During my travels to Scotland, Spain, France, and Cyprus, I gained an exceptional appreciation for the arts and architecture of Europe, which has spilled over into my love of Hawaiian cultural arts and artists. I moved from Maui to the Big island with my husband in 2007 which I was drawn to by my love for the Io (Hawaiian Hawk) as it is the only Island where the “Messenger of the Heavens” still exists.
Silvia Kulbokas, Sales Associate
Born and raised on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois, Silvia grew up surrounded by the rich diversity of the city’s many cultures. As a first-generation American with Lithuanian roots- hailing from the “Land of Rain” – she takes great pride in her heritage and is fluent in both English and Lithuanian.
In 2017, Silvia moved to Hawai’i, where she was drawn to the vibrant farming and gardening communities on the east side of Hawai’i Island. In 2020, she met her husband and settled in Volcano where she strives to live an ‘ohana/ʻāina centered lifestyle. She quickly fell in love with the thriving artistic community in Volcano, which continues to inspire her every day.