In memory of Richard G. & Wanda Baker
With Grateful Appreciation, we “Thank” the late Mr. & Mrs. Richard Glen & Wanda Baker for their generous gift of recognizing the value of the Community Arts Center to the cultural life of our community and extending special recognition to members of the Community Arts Center family.
Mark Ed
Excellence in Teaching
Mark Ed is a Johnstown native who received a degree in fine art and illustration from the Philadelphia School of Art in the 1970’s and is a prolific artist in the local community. Many of his works are housed in private collections throughout the country as well as the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art permanent collection. He is also well known for his original music compositions on piano and as the past long-time music director at Visitation Church, as well as a local hair stylist. The Ed family is widely known and admired for their artistic and musical talents. Mark works out of his studio in Westmont, where he lives with his wife and their two cats. He has performed at the Community Arts Center in several Log Art Theatre productions, such as Catch Me If You Can, An Evening With Mark Ed, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Arsenic & Old Lace, and will be returning to the stage this September and October in Jekyll & Hyde. He is also an enthusiastic instructor at the Community Arts Center, often teaching classes and workshops within various artistic mediums for the general public, as well as workshops for different outreach initiatives through CAC’s Outbound Art division.
Christine Lugar
Dedication to Volunteer Service
Christine is a 1974 graduate of Shanksville Stonycreek school. She was involved in both band and chorus from 4th grade until she graduated. She was also a member of the Tam O'Shanters, an all-girl marching group from Somerset County. There she learned to play the bagpipes. Being involved in music and knowing what it takes in practice and commitment gives her a great appreciation for all forms of art. Christine started bringing her son, Stephen, to the Art Center when he was 11. During his first class, she met Rose Mary Hagadus. That was the beginning of her volunteering at the Arts Center. Who could possibly say no to Rose Mary? She has volunteered at the fall Log House Arts Festival, the Holly Bazaar, auction, and other events. Last year, she started volunteering at the information desk. Christine retired from Somerset Trust Company in January of 2022. She had been there 43 years. She is now able to do the things that she enjoys. Being part of the Community Arts Center is definitely one of them.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Aspen Mock
Dr. Aspen B. Mock, who has been featured in the magazine The Dramatist as a member of the Dramatists Guild for her playwriting work with the 365 Women A Year play project, is an award-winning educator, writer and consultant. She teaches English Language Arts at Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School, and teaches in the Executive Doctoral program at Saint Francis University. She is currently working with the PA Humanities to facilitate a “Rain Poetry” project in Johnstown, PA. Dr. Mock is a board member of Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology and serves as the Higher Education Chair. She has had several original plays staged to raise funds for major charitable organizations including Ultramarine Girl: A Cup Full of Courage (2015) and Semblance of Hope (2011). Her play Une Belle Fleur was published as an audio play for CACCC’s Log Art Theatre-Listen, and she also serves as director and editor for the recording of new audio plays through the Log Art Theatre-Listen initiative.
Honors and awards she has won include: Henry Ford Innovative Teacher of the Year Award 2022, Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Finalist 2024, Governor’s Proclamation 2024, Keystones Technology Innovator Star, House of Representatives Citation, BPW Young Careerist, YWCA Tribute to Women in Arts and Letters, two-time National Geographic Education Grantee, and KQED Media Literacy Innovator. Her education includes: BAs Theater, English Literature & French minor, MA Teaching English, Shakespearean coursework in Oxford, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration with a K-12 Principal Certificate and focus on creativity in educational leadership. She specializes in the fields of writing, teaching, creativity, arts integration and educational technology, holding certifications as a National Geographic Certified Educator, PBS Media Literacy Certified Educator, and Magic School AI Certified Educator.
Dr. Mock is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and has taught Family Yoga at CACCC. She has acted in over 30 plays, musicals, commercials and short films, and has modeled for print and online merchandise. Most recently, she played the role of Myra Bruhl in Death Trap, and directed Schoolhouse Rock LIVE Jr., Aladdin Jr., and Restitution at CACCC. She has extensive dance experience in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip hop, Irish dance and integrating poetry with dance. She has written blog posts for National Geographic Education, KQED Education, Sheroes of History, National Council for Teachers of English, PBS Education, and WomenEd. She completed a grant with Johnstown Area Heritage Association & NatGeo Education empowering students to publish a children’s book, The Laurel Highlands Explorers. Her students have had their composition work published by KQED, Mindshift Podcast, and have won Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and WPCTE Awards. Dr. Mock actively presents at educational conferences, and notably presents on her work with Shakespeare and robotics in Language Arts classrooms. She enjoys spending time laughing, dancing, and exploring the world with her two amazing daughters, Kinsie & Scarlett.