Since 2018, the Community Foundation has engaged local community members and leaders with a strong knowledge of our region, the arts, and our cultural arts community. Through ValleyCreates, our advisors work collectively to co-design ValleyCreates offerings each year, to provide capacity support to local nonprofits, act as application reviewers to assist with the Foundation’s grantmaking efforts to arts organizations and artists, and plan and design gatherings and outreach.
Andrae Green
Painter
Andrae’s artwork explores the nuances of the collective consciousness that has been shaped by time, mythology, and memory. His painting “Acquiescence I” was acquired by the National Museum of China and many of his paintings belong to private collection around the world.
Mark Guglielmo
Interdisciplinary Artist
Mark makes figurative work intertwining current events, Western art, and social history to scrutinize themes of race, class, migration, and power and to spark healthy dialogue. A former rapper/producer, his art is exhibited nationally while his collaborators include Eminem, Cut Chemist, and the Young@Heart Chorus.
Vanessa Pabon Hernandez
Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement
Vanessa works for New England Public Media and oversees the station strategic vision for education and engagement efforts. She is the Executive Producer of the Station’s award-winning, bilingual series, Presencia.
Iréne Shaikly/I-SHEA
Musician, Teacher, Performer
I-SHEA teaches at the Community Music School in Springfield, is part of the Leadership Team Collective Member and Outreach/Publicity Manager at Survivor Theatre Project, and Associate Artist at The Performance Project.