PATCH brings together creative minds from prominent organizations across the Ridge that share a dedication to enhancing and supporting the arts.

The PATCH Board

David Leon Zink, Executive Director & Chair
Norton Buffalo Hall Foundation

  • David has an ear for music, business and community. He consults in the areas of management, marketing and federal grant-seeking for firms serving both nonprofits and a few select for-profits — organizations that heal people, educate people, house people, create jobs for people, and feed people. As a performing songwriter, David has recorded several albums and toured internationally. He serves on the boards of several local organizations active in weaving together community relationships through arts and culture, organic gardening and regenerative practices. A Butte County native, David and his soulmate since 1981 live in Magalia, California.

Kathleen Dysert, Secretary
Paradise Arts Center

  • Kathleen Dysert retired to Paradise from Mendocino County in 2010. She received her master’s degree in education from University of San Francisco and is a credentialed teacher, a special education teacher specializing in behavioral disorders, a school counselor and a school administrator. Her first art lesson was after turning 50 at the insistence of two friends who thought she was working too hard and needed to develop another interest. She developed a love for acrylic, oil, watercolor and colored pencil painting. She became a member of Paradise Art Center in 2011 to further her interest in art and soon was elected to the Board of Directors, becoming President in 2019. She has been instrumental in finding ways to meet the challenges Paradise Art Center has endured in the last 3 years, such as closures due to both the Camp Fire and COVID, financial loss, and needed health and safety repairs to PAC’s 100+ year-old building.

Mary Bellefeuille
Paradise Recreation & Park District

  • Mary Bellefeuille moved to Paradise in 1978. Earning a business management degree came in very handy, as she has co-managed her husband’s construction business since 1980. Raising three children in Paradise, Mary became very involved in the schools, youth sports, church and the community. She has served on the boards of directors for Paradise Ridge Youth Soccer Club, Paradise Little League, Paradise Piranhas Swim Team and Rotary Club of Paradise and currently serves on the Paradise Recreation and Parks District Board of Directors. Mary has been a member of Paradise Rotary for 22 years. Her passion is serving this community to help Paradise become the best that it can be, partly by being involved with organizations that provide various types of recreational activities and opportunities for the residents on the Ridge.

Judy Clemens, Treasurer
Theatre on the Ridge

  • A lifelong supporter of the arts, Judy is the Executive Director of Theatre on the Ridge, the oldest California non-profit community theatre north of Sacramento. Judy and her husband Michael have been at the helm and have served as the heart and soul of TOTR for 45 years, from the earliest days of performing in the Paradise High School gym to the renovation of the old silk screening and woodshop on Neal Road to the Playhouse of today undertaken in 1979. Judy also serves on the board of directors for the Paradise Arts Alliance and the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce, coordinating their annual Johnny Appleseed Days and Party in the Park events. Her position as TOTR's Executive Director does not include her regular standout performances as an actor and singer, as well as a director for the theatre (over 200 productions at last count) in addition to her past involvement with Chico Cabaret, Chico State University/Court Theatre, Chico City Light Opera, CR Productions, and other theatre endeavors in Butte County. Judy and Michael lost their home of 40 years in the Camp Fire and recently moved back into their rebuild on the same property where they raised their three children and are the proud grandparents of five and great grandparents of three.

Greg Sanchez, Paradise Art Center

Greg Sanchez
Alt - Paradise Art Center

  • Greg is retired after 32 years of teaching art, athletic administration and coaching at Live Oak High School in Live Oak, CA. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in art with an emphasis in watercolor and drawing from California State University, Chico, where he studied under local art icons Sal Casa, Tom Griffith, Richard Hornaday, Ken Morrow and Janet Turner. His first art mentor was Lynne Mills, art teacher at Paradise High School, where he was the Outstanding Art student in 1977. Greg recently returned “home” to Paradise after 5 years on the road in a RV and joined the Paradise Art Center in the fall of 2022. Since becoming a teacher (Drawing classes)/member at PAC, he has worked on the Fundraising Committee and currently works on the Gallery Committee hanging in Wheeler Gallery, as well as being in charge of facilities at PAC.

Don Criswell, Vice Chair
Gold Nugget Museum

  • Don Criswell is a Paradise native and a true renaissance man. He's an Eagle Scout, and Army veteran who did a tour in Vietnam. His expertise as a police officer led to law school, and a long career specializing in criminal defense investigation. Don is a published author, poet, and musician. He has a BA in History and enjoys reenacting local pioneer characters. Don and his lovely wife Deborah Damonte are professional equestrians and owners of a livestock ranch on the Ridge. They have ten grandkids and are active members of Paradise Lutheran Church. Don is a long-time director of Gold Nugget Days and Museum. He is a key organizer of PATCH.

Isaiah Meders
Mechoopda Tribal Council

  • Isaiah Meders is a Maidu Mechoopda tribal member and is currently serving on Tribal Council.  A life-long artist and entrepreneur, Isaiah has 20 years of experience as a dancer, choreographer, artistic director, and filmmaker. Isaiah is passionate about community arts and has been involved with programs and non-profits such as Dance Salsa Jax and the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum in Jacksonville, Florida. Now enjoying life in Chico, Isaiah has continued to create and support the arts as co-owner of Happy Valley Film Company and Affinity Arts and Entertainment. Isaiah recognizes the important role art plays in healing and community building; he is thrilled to collaborate with PATCH as we work to support local artists and the enrichment of the Ridge.

Advisory

Colleen Corners

Colleen Corners
Corners Consulting

  • Assistance in Business marketing, research and development.