A..R. MITCHELL AND ETHEL ERICKSON.
A Trinidad Institution
The establishment of the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art came about following the artist’s death in 1977 when it was learned that Mitchell’s sister, Ethel Mitchell Erickson, nicknamed “Tot”, was trying to determine where to donate his paintings, Western art and historical memorabilia collection. She had already been approached by several prestigious museums which were interested in acquiring the collection that included not only Mitchell’s work from his years as a successful illustrator from the 1920s-1940s for Western pulp magazines, but also paintings by his contemporaries such as Harvey Dunn and Harold Von Schmidt.
While Tot wanted her brother’s artwork to be displayed to its best advantage and was flattered that museums such as the The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City were interested in it, she also felt a sentimental pull toward returning it to Trinidad for permanent placement since that was where she and her brother were born and raised. It was, therefore, her decision that if a viable museum could be established in Trinidad, that is where she would donate her brother's entire collection as well as her own Santos collection.
The A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1981 to honor and display the art and life of Arthur Roy Mitchell, artist, educator and historical preservationist, in his home town of Trinidad, Colorado. The museum funded primarily through donations from generous individuals who also wish to keep his Western art and Western legacy alive and on view to the public through the museum. Learn about our regional partnerships here.
Portrait of Ethel "Tot" Erickson by Harvey Dunn.Our Mission
To preserve and display the collection of Arthur Roy Mitchell and communicate his legacy relating to art, art education, and his passion for the preservation of regional Western history and the city of Trinidad.
The A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1981 to honor and display the art and life of Arthur Roy Mitchell artist, educator and historical preservationist, in his home town of Trinidad, Colorado. The museum is funded primarily through donations from generous individuals who also wish to keep his Western art and Western legacy alive and on view to the public through the museum.
We welcome any individual, organization or business that wishes to further our mission through funding, staffing or mutual partnerships. Our hope is that through the success of our efforts, our town, its residents and the entire Southwest region will benefit from the work and information we are able to provide.
Who We Are
Executive Director
Allyson Sheumaker
Allyson Sheumaker serves as Executive Director of the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, where she leads the museum’s operations, exhibitions, collections stewardship, programming, and community engagement. With a background combining business administration and arts leadership, she brings both organizational and creative expertise to the museum’s continued growth. Allyson has developed a deep knowledge of Arthur Roy Mitchell’s life and work and has represented the museum through exhibitions, lectures, interviews, and collaborations that bring Mitchell’s legacy and the story of Western art to broader audiences. Under her leadership, the museum continues to preserve and interpret its historic collection while expanding opportunities for contemporary artists and strengthening its role as a cultural resource for Trinidad and Southern Colorado.
Archivist & Curator
Grace Albert
Grace Albert serves as Archivist and Curator at the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, where she helps preserve, document, interpret, and share the museum’s collection and the artistic legacy of Arthur Roy Mitchell. She holds a B.A. in Studio Art with an emphasis in Art History and Theory from Western Colorado University, providing a foundation in both artistic practice and the historical and theoretical study of art. Her work at the Mitchell includes the care and organization of the museum’s archives and collections, historical research, and the development of exhibitions that connect visitors with Mitchell’s work and the broader story of art and culture in the American West. Through her stewardship of the museum’s historical resources, Grace helps ensure that its artwork, stories, and archival materials are preserved and made accessible for future generations.
Board of Directors
President
Ken Chapin
Ken Chapin brings more than 30 years of experience working at the intersection of innovation, strategy, leadership development, and individual, collective, and organizational effectiveness. His work has focused on developing leaders and effective teams, building organizational capacity, fostering collaborative partnerships, and bringing people and resources together to turn ambitious ideas into sustainable action. As President, Ken brings that experience to strengthen Mitchell as an institution—expanding partnerships and opportunities, building long-term capacity, and ensuring that the museum’s remarkable legacy provides a strong foundation for a vibrant and sustainable future.
Vice President
Tyler Barnett
Tyler Barnett is a technology and business leader with over 15 years of expertise in systems administration, location security, and real estate operations. At the Mitchell, he applies that expertise to technology and security initiatives and leads the museum’s volunteer program. Tyler has called Colorado home for more than a decade and holds a B.S. in Information Technology from the University of Massachusetts and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Tennessee.
Secretary
Karen Roehl
Karen Roehl is a contemporary Western artist whose work combines the expressive mark-making of abstract expressionism with realistic representations of horses and the American West. Following a successful 20-year career as a graphic artist and designer, she returned to school earning a BFA from the University of Colorado Denver, after which she began her career as a fine artist. Karen was a recurring artist in the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale from 2014 through 2023 and received their Artists’ Choice Award in 2022. She taught painting at the Art Students League of Denver and served on the board of Denver’s Ice Cube Gallery. Her experience across art, design, education, and nonprofit governance contributes a broad contemporary perspective to the museum’s leadership.
Treasurer
Christine Louden
Christine Louden has deep roots in Trinidad and Southern Colorado, with a personal connection to the museum’s history through her father, who was a friend of A.R. Mitchell. Her professional background spans entrepreneurship, business development, marketing, design, and organizational leadership, and she currently serves as Executive Director of Emergent Campus Trinidad, supporting entrepreneurship and economic opportunity in the region. As Treasurer, Christine combines strong community knowledge and business experience with a personal commitment to preserving the Mitchell’s legacy and helping build a sustainable future for the museum.
Director
Cody Kuehl
Cody Kuehl is a contemporary New Western artist whose work explores the myths, stories, and visual traditions of the American West. Raised in Northern Colorado, Cody grew up raising, training, and showing draft horses with his family—an experience that continues to shape his connection to Western culture and his work as an artist. A self-taught artist whose work has been exhibited nationally, Cody operates Kuehl Fine Art at the museum. He previously served for three years as President of the A.R. Mitchell Museum Board of Directors, bringing valuable institutional knowledge and leadership continuity alongside his perspective as a working artist, gallerist, and advocate for the evolving story of Western art.
Director
Nicholas Reti
Nicholas Reti is an artist, gallerist, and passionate student and advocate of Western art based in Crested Butte, Colorado. Since 2015, he has built his gallery into a collection representing accomplished contemporary painters alongside significant historical works by deceased masters. His deep interest in the history of Western art extends to the legacy of A.R. Mitchell, with a particular interest in strengthening the museum’s archive, expanding scholarship and research around Mitchell’s life and work, and ensuring that this important artistic legacy is preserved and better understood. Nicholas brings to the board the perspective of an artist and gallerist along with genuine curiosity about the history, scholarship, and future of Western art.
Director
Dr. Rhonda Epper
Dr. Rhonda Epper is a longtime higher education leader and President of Colorado State University Pueblo. She previously served as President of Trinidad State College from 2019 to 2026, leading the institution through significant growth and change while strengthening its role in Southern Colorado. Her connection to the Mitchell reflects a shared history: Arthur Roy Mitchell taught at Trinidad State, where he established the college’s first art classes in 1945. Rhonda holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and an MBA from the University of Denver and a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin. Her extensive experience in institutional leadership, education, partnerships, and governance strengthens the museum’s capacity for strategic growth.
Director
Kate Hlavin
Kate Hlavin is an art professional with more than a decade of experience in Western and American art. She serves as Curator of the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale and has held leadership positions with Altamira Fine Art, Visions West Contemporary, and Hindman Auctions, where she served as Director of Western Art. Her career spans galleries, auction houses, art consulting, and curatorial work, giving her extensive experience connecting artists, collectors, and institutions. Kate contributes deep knowledge of Western art, the contemporary art market, and the stewardship and presentation of Western artistic traditions.