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.
Matthew Glassman
Writer, Actor, Director
Matthew has been working with Double Edge Theatre since 2000. With his expertise he brings the ability to make not so obvious connections between the realms of theatre, the environment, social movements, and local culture and politics.
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.
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.
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.