Mia Ramseier
Executive Director
Mia cares deeply about connecting with people and celebrating the spirit of Northern New York, and she looks forward to bringing that passion to her work every day. Outside of work, she loves spending time on the St. Lawrence River with her husband, family, and friends, embracing the vibrant community of the Thousand Islands.
Katherine Lake
Education & Communications Coordinator
Katherine is a 2022 graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with an Interpersonal concentration as well as a minor in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication. A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Katherine has spent most of her summers in the Thousand Islands, and most recently held various customer service positions in the restaurant business. Her leadership experience includes cooperative fundraising and community service promotion with the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority.
Sonja Wahl
Curator Emerita
Sonja served as the first curator until her retirement in 2005. She served on the steering committee 1973-1977; the Board of Directors 1975-1979; and as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees 1978-1987. In addition to her position as curator emerita, Sonja leads the “Wednesday Weavers” group every Wednesday throughout the year.
Sonja’s teaching experience includes: “Fashion Design and Textile Construction” at Jeff Lewis Bohlen Technical Center for 22 years, and she also taught at Jefferson Community College & Empire State College. In 2004, Sonja was recognized by the German government with the honorable Industrie und Handelskammer of Sachsen: Golden Master’s Degree.
Marina Loew
Assistant Director & Curator
(315) 686-4123 ext. 204
marina@tiartscenter.org
Marina joined the TIAC staff in 2017. Previously, she was a technical designer/quality control manager/seamstress at KaiKini Bikinis, LLC, and was in retail sales for KIKO Simple Goods in Kapaa, Hawaii. Prior to that, she worked marketing/outreach at Hawaiian Community Assets as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Anahola, Hawaii. A native of the 1000 Islands, she was also a teacher/intern at the Arts Center for five summers having taught weaving and assisted the then curator with exhibition installation and collection management.
Marina earned her MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her BA in Visual Art from Wells College. She also spent time studying Georgian architecture and printmaking in Bath, England, and later studied toy making, oil painting, fashion design, and weaving through Syracuse University in Florence, Italy.
Lynn Thompson
Events & Membership Coordinator
Originally from North Carolina, Lynn moved to Northern New York in 2002 and fell in love with the charming, picturesque village of Clayton. Coming from a most recent role in development where she successfully planned and executed multiple fundraising efforts, Lynn developed a strong sense of devotion to nonprofits. Lynn’s career has spanned roles in finance management, fundraising and hospitality management. She uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. When not working, Lynn enjoys time with her family and friends and has a love for golfing.
Kathleen Morris
Staff Potter
Kathy Morris earned her B.A. in Art at Kean College with a concentration in ceramics and photography and went on to teach in both disciplines at the Lakeland School in Chester, New Jersey. She also studied at the Tuscarora Pottery School in Nevada and Scuola d”Art Ceramica in Deruta, Italy. While her career shifted for a bit to alternative education and school reform, Kathy now spends her days at the TIAC pottery studio.
