Staff

Shaun Hayes
Executive Director

Art & Apples Festival®: Sponsorships & Media/PR

Shaun Hayes joined Paint Creek Center for the Arts in February 2022. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in General Management from Oakland University. He has worked in non-profits for the past 10 years, including three as an executive director prior to joining PCCA. His responsibilities include oversight of all staff, budget preparation and evaluation, grant procurement, development of new programming, and execution of the annual Art & Apples Festival.

Nicole Bush
Art Education Manager 

Art & Apples Festival®: Kids Art Zone & Creation Station

Nicole Bush is the Art Education Manager at Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Southeastern Michigan with the personal mission of bringing quality art-making opportunities to as many individuals as possible. Since starting there in 2018, Nicole has established the Art Anywhere outreach program, oversees the sold-out fine art summer camps, and manages over 250 classes, workshops, and events annually. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Michigan State University with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a certification in Global Education. They have over eight years of experience of working with local art nonprofits. In their free time, they enjoy working in the mediums of ceramics, resin, and embroidery.

Corey Grier
Business Manager

Art & Apples Festival®: Accounting

Biography coming soon!

Julia Felts
Manager of Artist Engagement

Art & Apples Festival®: Artists

Julia joined PCCA in July of 2022 with 2 years of experience in event management and recreation and leisure programming. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Recreation from Central Michigan University, and a minor in event management. For as long as Julia can remember, she has been involved in the arts, whether she was creating or supporting art in her community. Julia is passionate about providing meaningful opportunities for self-expression through one’s artistic pursuits. In her free time, she loves experimenting with new mediums, and particularly loves printmaking in all forms. As the Manager of Artist Engagement, she supports PCCA’s efforts in growing and maintaining our network of artists, including those who submit work to our art market and Art & Apples Festival.

Hunter Parsons
Marketing & Engagement Coordinator

Art & Apples Festival®: Volunteers

Hunter Parsons joined PCCA in June 2023. In her role as Marketing & Engagement Coordinator, she is responsible for PCCA communications such as social media posts and the member e-newsletter. Her responsibilities at the festival include recruitment and management of volunteers, as well as oversight of our Gate Group program to help encourage donations into the festival. Hunter is passionate about expanding accessibility to the arts, previously working in roles at the Detroit Institute of Arts and as a creative writing instructor. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s MFA program in Creative Writing and holds a BA in English from Kalamazoo College.

Catherine Brieden
Art Education Coordinator

Art & Apples Festival®: Food Vendors and Entertainment

Catherine joined the PCCA staff in 2024 as the Education Coordinator and has almost 3 years of previous experience teaching and running programs in a non-profit art studio setting. Catherine hopes to amplify and embody the mission of Paint Creek Center for the Arts by providing unique and engaging experiences in the arts for everyone as she grows within her new role. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Illustration from Grand Valley State University and has a passion for teaching and creating arts wherever she is.