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.
Kaitlin Jones
Guest Experience & Retail Coordinator
Kaitlin grew up outside of Atlanta, Georgia and moved to Alabama where she then attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She graduated in 2023 with her degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing. After graduating, she made the long journey to Northern New York where she fell in love with its natural beauty. Her years of experience in the restaurant industry, as well as her southern hospitality, gives her a warm and welcoming presence at the front desk. When she isn’t working, Kait spends her spare time writing her novel and hiking in the Adirondacks with her fiancé and two rescue dogs.
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
Curator & Director of Visitor Experience
(315) 686-4123 ext. 204
marina@tiartscenter.org
A native of the 1000 Islands, Marina has been part of the Thousand Islands Arts Center family since 2017, though her connection to TIAC began years earlier when she spent five summers as a teacher and intern, teaching weaving and assisting with exhibitions and collection projects. Her career has taken her from museums and the arts to fashion, retail, and community outreach, including work as a technical designer, quality control manager, and seamstress in Hawaii and as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer focused on community outreach. Marina holds an MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in Visual Art from Wells College, and has studied art, architecture, fashion, toy making, and weaving in England and Italy. With a lifelong curiosity and a passion for making, textiles, and connecting people with art, she brings a creative and hands-on perspective to her work at TIAC.
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.
