Staff

Administration

Robert C. Ericksen

Beloved Former Full-time: Artistic/Executive Director, Founder

Biography: Robert received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and his BFA from the University of Washington, Seattle. He was a co-founder of the Sun Foundation, professional photographer, painter, and metalsmith. His work has been exhibited in both national and state galleries. He was the producer and photographer for films and exhibits documenting the Blackfeet Native American Tribe. He was a former assistant professor at Chicago City College, Everett Washington College, and Eureka College.  Bob was a recipient of the 2013 Arts Partners Award.

Joan Root Ericksen

Full-time: Artistic/Executive Director, Development Director, Founder

Duties: Research, development and implementation of programs and financial resources, supervision of staff and volunteers, website maintenance, program committees, and staff coordinator. Supervision of staff and artists; board and committee liaison; design and production of public information, materials, art work, newspaper, program documentation and development, grant writing, and facility maintenance.

Biography:  Joan has received her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and her B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University. She has also studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sorbonne University of Paris, France, and The Gladys Heights International Ballet Conservatory. She is a professional painter and poet and has exhibited her work in both national and state galleries. She is the co-producer and writer for films and exhibits documenting the Blackfeet Native American Tribe. She is the author of the book “The Four Little Pigs,” a book about R. Buckminster Fuller and “Pink Jelly,” a book of poetry illustrated by Kinji Akagawa. She is a former assistant professor at Chicago City College and an instructor at the Cranbrook Academy of Art Children’s Program.  Recipient of the 2013 Arts Partners Award. Joan was a LAN council member for two terms, 2010-2014.

Brett Root Ericksen

Part-time: Program Director, Wildlife and Habitat Restoration Director, Site Manager

Duties: Naturalist and Art and Science in the Woods Program Director, Supervision and selection of staff, facility and workshop preparation, restoring and enhancing animal habitat and facilities and medical emergency advisor, as well as fundraising.

Biography:  Brett has studied for 12 years at the Tom Brown Jr. Tracker/Wilderness School and has taken mentoring courses at the Jon Young Wilderness Awareness School. He is a graduate of the SOLO Wilderness Emergency School in Conway, NH. He is a Certified Wilderness EMT, and has completed 425 hours at the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies, Boulder, CO. He is the director of the Aboriginal Survival Arts Program. Brett is the Blue Heron Farm manager and Wildlife Conservation Reserve director. He is the owner of Southern Flight Outfitters.

Sharon Obery

Art and Science in the Woods Program Coordinator

Duties: Coordinates Art and Science in the Woods

Biography:  Sharon Obery has been the program coordinator for Art and Science in the Woods since 1998. Before that she participated as a teaching assistant for five years. She is retired from the Cullom-Davis Library at Bradley University in Peoria. Sharon is an ardent supporter of the arts and environmental education, and is committed to sharing the vision of the Sun Foundation with as many people as possible. Contact Sharon at sharon@sunfoundation.org. Sharon generously donates her time and talent for the Art and Science in the Woods Program program.

Karen Zuckerman

Clean Water Celebration Coordinator

Biography: Karen Zuckerman coordinates the Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration and co chairs the Navigating Committee for the event. Karen is a retired educator who taught middle school for 45 years including visual arts, the sciences and engineering. She has held leadership roles, serving on the boards of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois, Illinois Science Teachers Association and the Sun Foundation. Her passion lies with empowering youth and caring for our planet and its resources.

Josie Depauw Darko

Regional Arts Partners Coordinator

Nichole Davis

Bookkeeper and Office Manager

Maxwell Jones

Art & Science in the Woods Operations Manager

Biography: Max has been involved with Art & Science in the Woods since 2022. Starting as a volunteer helping hand, he has continued to grow into an important part of the camp; assisting in setup, teardown, daily activities, maintenance, and safety of camp attendees. He studied Environmental Science and ceramics at Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, NV and at Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA. He currently works as an electrician for the IBEW where safety is of the utmost importance. An avid outdoorsman, Max loves to see children enjoying and learning about nature, while also employing sustainable practices to help ensure our public lands remain pristine and intact for generations to come. Art & Science in the Woods has become a big part of his life and he looks forward to coming back every year.

Contracted Services

Kris Lukehart CPA, Steven D. Greim & Company P.C. 

Accounting Services

Lee Ann Conrad

Executive Assistant

JosIE Depauw Darko

Grant Writer