Board of Directors

Cindy Salem joined the Denison Arts Council (DAC) in 2021 and began serving as President in 2022. In this role she provides board leadership, strategic planning guidance, and oversight of major initiatives, including oversight of the Denison Cultural Arts District and expanded arts-based tourism efforts. She works closely with community partners, civic organizations, and local stakeholders to position the arts as an economic and community development asset for Denison and Grayson County.

Cindy brings extensive experience in project management and in leading high-functioning, multidisciplinary teams. Prior to retiring in 2020, she spent more than 40 years in healthcare leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Healthcare Administration. Her career began in acute care and later transitioned to cardiovascular and stroke clinical research with Roche-Genentech, where she coordinated complex research programs, regulatory compliance, and collaborative medical teams.

In addition to her leadership with DAC, Cindy serves on the Denison Convention & Visitors Bureau Board and is active in the Grayson County Junior League and Meals on Wheels. Her work emphasizes collaboration between arts, tourism, and community development organizations to strengthen Denison’s cultural economy.

Cindy and her husband Steve have lived in Denison since 2006. Outside of her civic service, she enjoys travel, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Economic Development Specialist | Agency for Aging Liaison at TCOG

As a child, Alexis Taylor viewed coloring inside the lines as a stifling limitation that she resisted. She believed in embracing life to the fullest, a challenge considering her petite height of just 5 feet. However, on the dance floor, Alexis was determined that her small size wouldn’t prevent her from shining; she was there to occupy space and ensure everyone in the back had a good view! This empowering belief remains steadfast.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Texas, Alexis swapped her crayons for a lab coat, working as a Research and Development Chemist at Ruco Polymers and later at Sherwin Williams, where she created vibrant powder coatings and even some enchanting color-shifting products. When it came time to comply with California’s Proposition 65, she took a leap into the Environmental field, journeying from Houston to Nigeria and back to North Texas as she decided to pursue an MBA to elevate her career.

Throughout high school, college, and graduate school, Alexis continued to dance and take art classes, believing that life without a creative outlet is like a cake without frosting! This artistic passion sparked an innovative business idea: she blended graffiti quilts with weighted blankets for those with sensory needs. Business thrived until the pandemic disrupted everything, requiring her to pivot! Although she cherished being her own boss, she discovered her rhythm in consulting and economic development, reaching a broader audience and helping businesses flourish.

In 2022, Alexis relocated to Denison to immerse herself in the lively community. She promptly joined the Denison Art Council Volunteer Group. While she still enjoys painting, her last public dance performance was in June 2019—finding an adult dance troupe has proven as elusive as catching a unicorn! After selling a few sewing machines to manage pandemic expenses, she’s eager to service the rest and address the growing pile of UFOs (unfinished objects). For now, her focus is on giving back to the Texoma Area; with the art industry generating a trillion dollars annually, supporting over 5 million jobs, and enhancing community identity—it’s truly an endeavor worth fostering and expanding!

Born and raised in Denison and Pottsboro, Jessica (Grimes) Gissler brings a wealth of vision and experience to her seat as Treasurer of Denison Arts Council. Between the ages of 18 to 31, Jessica moved around sampling much of what life has to offer while studying Finance and Entrepreneurship in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and International Business in London.

She started her career in accounting in South Florida, Maryland, and Atlanta before returning home to Denison, Texas to raise her son surrounded by family. Her home and office are filled with art from her travels and any loud, bright treasures she couldn’t live without! She trends toward the maximalist style, seeing any empty wall space (and often floors and ceilings as well) as possible opportunities to display her favorite pieces. She hopes to expand her philosophy of “Life is a gallery” to the entire city, filling the walls, streets and windows with inspiring and beautiful art!

Jessica owns Balancing + Act, offering an elevated bookkeeping and business consulting experience to local and nationwide clientele located in the heart of downtown.

Mathias Scott Bardwell, widely known as MATH ART, is a versatile outsider artist based in Denison, Texas. With deep family roots in Denison and the Texoma area, Math has become a vital part of the local art scene. His creative repertoire spans across a variety of mediums, including acrylic paintings, murals, clothing and shoe design, tattoos, sculptures, and installation art. As a multi-instrumentalist musician, poet, actor, and self-proclaimed buffoon, his work embodies a unique blend of humor, emotion, and raw creativity.

Math is a left-handed artist whose unconventional approach breaks the mold and challenges traditional perspectives. His commitment to the arts extends beyond his personal creations, as he plays an active role in the Denison Arts Council and contributes to the city’s Design Committee. His involvement in Historic Downtown Denison reflects his dedication to enriching the community and fostering a vibrant cultural environment. Matt is the Manager of the ArtWorks, Goodwill on Main Street Denison. He is an active participant in the performing arts scene in Denison.

Whether he’s transforming canvases, clothing, or urban spaces, Math brings a distinctive vision to everything he touches, making him a true asset to Denison’s artistic landscape.

DC Ramsey is a marketing and operations leader with a focus on growth, execution, and creative problem-solving. She serves as Vice President at Everi Holdings, where she leads revenue and digital strategy across the sports and entertainment industry. Her experience spans startups, private companies, and publicly traded firms.

In Denison, DC works to preserve what’s meaningful while helping shape what’s next. Her work centers on real estate, preservation, and cultural initiatives that bring people together. She serves on the Denison Arts Council and helped launch Paint the Silo, a public art installation that honors the city’s heritage and creative energy.

Having lived in the area since 1977, Mark has spent most of his work career in customer service and retail. He owned and operated Nagels Paint in Sherman for 28 years, doing custom framing and design work as well as teaching classes on faux finishing. He also spent several years managing an organic farm and cattle operation and 3 years as Quartermaster of the tall ship Compass Rose on Lake Texoma in Denison. He brought his framing experience to Sparrows Gallery when Tamie Odom opened it in 2016, and he purchased the gallery from Tamie in 2022. It has since moved to Sherman, providing an opportunity to platform artists in a new location. Despite the move, Mark remains an active member of Denison’s art community.

Mark has served as a board member with Sherman Arts Festival, Lakefest Regatta, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Sherman Symphony Orchestra. He served two terms as President of Sherman Symphony Orchestra and is currently on the Advisory Board. He is an active member and Usher Team Lead for Legacy Bible Church and hosts a men’s bible study at Sparrows Gallery on Friday mornings. He and his wife currently live in Sherman and enjoy art, theater, music and all things creative!

Rayce Guess, a retired coach and educator, has a long history with the Denison Arts Council and other nonprofit organizations. The recipient of numerous community outreach awards, an accomplished television actor, and a board member of 10 nonprofits, Rayce has dedicated his retirement to supporting Grayson County and its residents. He plays a monumental role in uplifting the youth and enhancing local culture.

During his time volunteering with nonprofits, Rayce has served as president of the CASA of Grayson County, Wishing Well Texoma, Hometown Heroes, and the Bells High Alumni Association. He was also a Denison city councilman, as well as a volunteer or treasurer for several other volunteer organizations.

Rayce taught and coached for over 30 years before retiring from Paris High in 2015. He serves as Vice President of Grayson County’s NAACP branch, and in 2025, he was honored as the very first recipient of Austin College’s Black History Month “Living Legend” award.

Tish Brewer, a professional art and document conservator, owns and runs the Center for Art Conservation from a restored 1899 Victorian house in Denison. She began volunteering with the Denison Arts Council in Spring 2025, shortly after she and her husband, David Page, moved to town. That Autumn season, the pair spearheaded puppet operations and served a vital role on the committee for the council’s annual Dia de los Muertos Festival.

Tish is also a volunteer and board member at the Red River Railroad museum and has a history with the Guild of Book Workers Lone Star Chapter, the Western Association for Art Conservation, and– as a founding member– the North Texas Association for Art Conservation.

Tish is interested in supporting the development and activities of the arts in all forms, and keeping the arts in the forefront of communities long-term. She is passionate about sustaining the arts and working with people who share her interests not only in the visual and performing arts, but in developing a larger meaningful picture of the arts in Denison.

David Page works closely with his wife, Tish Brewer, as a conservator, founder, and owner of the Center for Art Conservation in Denison. He participates on the board of directors at the Red River Railroad Museum and played a vital role as a Puppet Coordinator and committee member during our 2025 Dia de los Muertos Festival.

David places great importance in connecting with others in the arts and supporting the arts and cultural community. As a craftsman, David possesses a unique insight into the lives and needs of local artists and crafters. He sees his work with the Denison Arts Council as an opportunity to support local artists and craftspeople, and he is a reliable participant in organizing, running, and promoting cultural events.

Tencia Ochoa is a 2025 graduate of the College of Biblical Studies, holding a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Counseling and Biblical Studies. Currently employed by Communities In Schools as a Site Coordinator for Denison ISD, Tencia is passionate about empowering children and teens. She loves the arts and teaching them to underprivileged children.

As a co-founder of Girls Growing in Grace, she supports young women within the juvenile justice system, and serves on the board of Women Rock, fighting breast cancer by bringing awareness. Additionally, Tencia serves as a Board Member for the Denison Arts Council and as stage manager for the Dia de los Muertos committee.

Guided by her faith she finds her greatest joy in encouraging others in their spiritual journeys. She is a songwriter, worship leader and devoted mother and wife.

The arts have been in Liia’s blood from the beginning, coming from a family of artists. Her art journey began with winning a poster contest at 8 years old, and she never lost her passion for it. Liia is an avid painter and sculptor who has sculpted several commissioned pieces for churches. Outside of her career working in operations for healthcare, and being a chaplain, she enjoys bringing art to others in the community. She has shared her love of art with the community by offering children’s classes, as well as paint and sips for seniors in Assisted Living communities. Joining the Denison Arts Council and living in an arts community is like living a dream for her!

Mary Karam served as Denison Arts Council’s president for 4 years and played a significant part in making the council what it is today. She is an experienced photographer and photo manipulator, and she ran Mary Karam Gallery in Denison for close to 20 years.

Mary has a long history with Denison’s Main Street program and its design committee. Her roots in community development extend even further than that, though, as she has also worked with Denison Historic Preservation, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Grayson College. Today, Mary continues her work with the Denison Arts Council as a board member, advisor, and exhibiting artist.

Fractional CMO | Family-Business Advocate | Creative Strategist

Raised in the home of an artist, Amy May has always seen the world through a creative lens. This lifelong appreciation for the arts, combined with a background in graphic design and education, provided the perfect foundation for her career: translating complex digital data into actionable growth and human connection.

With a career that has evolved alongside the internet itself, Amy brings a unique blend of creative intuition and data-driven strategy to the table. She spent years freelancing while raising her children—a season that taught her the true value of time and the necessity of efficient systems. That “milk and cookies” home office eventually grew into a full-scale agency when her sons, Jordan and Mason, joined her to scale the vision of May Media.

Today, she serves as a Fractional CMO and consultant, specializing in business plans, evaluations, and high-level marketing strategy. Her mission is simple: to use her decades of experience to impact the lives of business owners and their families. At the end of the day, she believes in the power of the human element—a philosophy of “our family helping your family” that she carries into her work with the Denison Arts Council and the local creative community.

Elizabeth “L” Williams lives and works in Denison, where she manages gallery operations and performs various outreach and administrative duties for the Denison Arts Council.

L first came to the Denison Arts Council in 2024, a year after graduating with her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art. After she submitted her artwork for a show and assisted in installing the exhibition, DAC President Cindy Salem offered her an internship, and the rest is history! L has since transitioned from an intern to an official employee.

Following her first participation in an art show in 2021, L has displayed her work in over 20 art exhibitions. In addition to coordinating and installing 6 art exhibitions per year, assisting in festival and event coordination, and working at the gallery 5 days a week, L also created and leads Denison Sequential Arts, a free art program for teens and adults, as part of her role with the Denison Arts Council.

In her free time, L is an avid concertgoer and enjoys writing, painting, and drawing. In the coming years, she hopes to fulfill her duties with the Denison Arts Council while continuing to grow and build her body of work as an artist and writer.

Cindy Salem, President

Jessica Gissler, Treasurer

Alexis Taylor, Gallery Director

Matt Bardwell, Director at Large

Mark Nagel

DC Ramsey

Rayce Guess

Mary Karam

Tish Brewer

David Page

Tencia Ochoa

Liia Harmon