Jo Ann Emerson, Executive Director
Contact Jo Ann Emerson

Jo Ann Emerson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history at Metropolitan State College of Denver. She made Lincoln her home six years ago. She has over ten year non-profit management experience which includes strategic planning, program development, business planning, and grant writing. She was hired as the executive director in 2007. Her vision for LUX Center for the Arts is to provide a place where the community can come together to learn about art. Jo Ann says, “We have worked hard to create an environment in which everyone feels as though they have a place. From the skilled art collector to the novice, everyone can come to the LUX to make new discoveries. Watching students’ expressions when they learn a new technique or master a challenging form has been the most rewarding part of my job here. Our students and visitor reinforce our mission everyday.”

Regina Flowers, Education Director
Contact Regina Flowers

Regina Flowers earned a Master of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln in the spring of 2012. She first became involved with the LUX Center for the Arts in 2004, acting as a gallery intern, while an undergraduate art student at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Regina has since worked as an Americorps Volunteer for F Street Community Center and most recently, as the Hixson-Lied Fellow for the Sheldon Museum of Art.  Flowers’ passion is art education. Regina says, “I believe art education is valuable to everyone and is at the core of the LUX’s mission. As the Education Director I will continue to strive for excellence in our educational offerings.”

Susan Stark-Johnson, Gallery Director
Contact Susan Stark-Johnson

Susan Stark-Johnson was born and raised in Arizona. She earned three Bachelor’s degrees from Northern Arizona University in Theatre, Art Education, and Studio Art with an emphasis in Ceramics. Following graduation, Susan taught Junior High Ceramics and Theatre in Mesa, Arizona and obtained her 300 hour Yoga teacher certification from the Southwest Institute for the Healing Arts.  It was then that the home of her paternal family, Nebraska, called to her and she was given a ceramics residency with the LUX. As a resident artist, she spent two years with the LUX before moving to Colorado to begin life as a newlywed. In 2012 she returned to the LUX to serve as the gallery director.  With a passion for art and service to others, it is with great pleasure that she finds her ongoing journey to “follow her bliss” has brought her back through the LUX’s door.  She is truly honored to be a part of an organization that she says “makes art accessible to all and strives to improve lives and the community through the arts”.

Susan Soriente, Lux Museum Curator
Contact Susan Soriente

Susan J. Soriente earned her MA in Museum Studies from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln in 2002. She began working at the LUX Center for the Arts as a volunteer cataloging the LUX doll collection in 2003. In 2005, Susan was hired as Curator of the Gladys M. Lux Historical Collections. She also works as the Coordinator for Sheldon Statewide an outreach program of the Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Susan said, “I believe that the Lux Center for the Arts is a great resource for our community. From the historical prints given by its benefactor, Ms Lux, to its forward thinking staff, resident artists, and classes, the LUX’s benefits and possibilities for the arts are without limit.”

Aileen Wiles, Art Van deLUX Coordinator
Contact Aileen Wiles

Aileen Wiles grew up in Wyoming and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006.  She became an instructor at LUX Center for the Arts in 2009.  She has taught in-house classes for youth and adults in drawing, painting and printmaking. Aileen became involved with the Art Van deLUX outreach program as an instructor.  As an Art Van deLUX instructor, she has taught at several schools, Youth Services Center and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.  She currently is the Art Van deLUX Coordinator and works to bring LUX art classes and workshops to the community.  Aileen says she is excited to be part of a program that “provides quality art classes to people who otherwise would not be able to have that kind of experience.”