May 8, 2026 | 1 – 5PM
BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity
Agenda
12:30PM Doors Open
12:45PM Lunch and activities begin (Peacock Room)
1:40PM Welcome (Transition into Sanctuary Space)
– Megan Burke, President and CEO, CFWM
– Karin George, Board Chair, CFWM
– I-SHEA, ValleyCreates Artist
1:50PM Dedication of the Day to Rosemary Tracy Woods
2:00PM Art Burst
2:10PM Introductions
– Cassandra Holden, Executive Director, BOMBYX
– Nicole Bourdon, Senior Program Officer, CFWM
2:20PM Art Bursts
2:45PM Honoring Kent Alexander & Award Announcement
– Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez, Community Advisor
– Nicole Young-Martin, ValleyCreates Artist
2:55PM Art Bursts
3:15PM Break
3:25PM Art Bursts
3:45PM ValleyCreates Sustainability
– Martha Richards, Executive Director, WomenArts
– Nigel Greaves, Director of Development, CFWM
– Mark Guglielmo, ValleyCreates Artist and Community Advisor
3:55PM Art Burst
4:00PM Closing
4:00PM Networking
Art Bursts and Artist Offerings
K Adler is an interdisciplinary artist based in Greenfield, MA. Their collaborations include co-producing and performing with Eggtooth and Freepile Productions, and they are a founding member of Cloudgaze Productions regularly presenting the annual “A Happening” Festival at the Shea Theater Arts Center. They have received support from ValleyCreates and Assets for Artists as well as grants from Mass Cultural Council and the Markham Nathan Fund for Social Justice. “Art Chat with KAT” runs weekly on WRSI 93.9 The River and features art and cultural happenings in Franklin County, MA.
Adrian Almquist grew up in Eastern Mass and has been interested in the natural environment, agriculture, crafts, gardening and building since he was in his teens. Over the last 25 years, he has worked as a cook, baker, roofer, gardener, farmer, carpenter, electrician, trail builder, timber framer, and teacher. All these experiences inform his creative practice. His work spans mediums of sculpture, textiles, ceramics, and mixed media. Adrian has held residencies at High Desert Test Sites in Joshua Tree, California, Center of Gravity in North Adams, Mass and PADA in Barreiro, Portugal. He’s currently creating work using local materials, through a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Mass ValleyCreates Project Evolution Grant. He lives in the hills of Western Mass, where he gains inspiration from his local fibershed, forests, quarries, wood kilns, and thriving arts community.
Camille Asia is Blackqueer cycpher between heaven and earth, an ode to Black girlhood and a hymn of unhurting. As a poet, writer, facilitator, and Raja Yoga guide from Brooklyn, New York, Camille’s work lives and breathes at the intersections of holding vulnerable space, dreaming, and somatic healing. They are the steward of Not A Noplace, a QTBIPOC open mic series inspired by the poet Lucille Clifton and her poem “what the mirror said”, and their poems have been published in BLOOM Magazine, Beyond Queer Words, Ebony Tomatoes Collective, Exposed Brick Literary Magazine, and The Caribbean Writer.
Hazel Basil is a transfemme musician from western Mass, whose music focuses on self-reflection, growth, and communal strength. Known for her community-building work hosting open mics and other music events, Hazel’s calming fingerstyle guitar and soothing voice welcomes audiences into a comfortable space of self-care and love.
Frankie Borrero is a visual artist who has been expressing himself through his art since childhood. Primarily self-taught Frankie uses pastels, graphite, and acrylics to create his pieces. His life journey has been marked by significant hurdles, including a traumatic brain injury in 2015, open heart surgery in 2023, and the tragic death of his son in 2024. Despite these losses, Frankie continues to turn to art as a powerful means of self-expression, showcasing a resilience that defines his work.
Kim Chin-Gibbons is a Cambodian-born, American-raised musician & photographer living in Western Mass. She creates progressive folk rock music derived from work she contributes to the Boston based six-piece progressive rock band, Sunset Mission. From lush and heavy hitting baritone guitars to classical nylon style folk tunes, she takes inspiration from Swedish progressive rock bands Pain of Salvation and Ritual, as well as Instagram viral folk-math sensations like Maddie Ashman, Yvette Young & Emma Harner. Kim has received several awards from Assets for Artists, the Mass Cultural Council, and CitySpace 413.
Darlene Elias is the 2025 Strawdog Emerging Writer Fellow, a 2025/26 ValleyCreates Capacity Building Artist, and a recipient of 2026 Mass Cultural Council Creative Individual grant for literature. She is a storyteller with roots in the barrios of the Bronx and Holyoke. She is drawn to the quiet spaces where memory, identity, and resilience meet. Through poetry, lyrical reflection and narrative fragments, her work explores the complexity of womanhood, generational memory, and the ways we transform pain into voice. She shares pieces of a larger story, one that is rooted in survival, reflection, and the courage it takes to speak our truths out loud. Darlene lives in Western Mass, with her partner and two dogs.
Victor Rafael Figueroa, a name that is followed by, resilience, pride, and hunger. He is from a little city called Springfield located in Western Mass. The arts have always been his escape into worlds unknown! A Dancer, singer, aerialist, and actor; His capacities know no bounds. Victor’s identity fuels everything in his life and work with tenacity. He is Puerto Rican and proud! Victor grew up in the public school system and graduated from the Pioneer Valley school of the Performing Arts. Victor’s home is what molded him into the fearless person he is! He aspires to pay it forward to his community and help create a safe and inspiring space to create, explore, and question! He has only started this mission.
Kahli Hernandez– The World Famous Artoonist , aka Kahli Hernandez born (Dec. 4, 1992) in Brooklyn, NY, was raised in the 413 -Springfield, MA. Growing up a number 2 pencil and computer paper were his main tools for creativity. He started using his God given talent to draw things that made him excited, consistently adding things he liked on any surface he could get his hands on (including mom’s kitchen walls, tables, and chairs). The digital art space became his new playground when he discovered “Paint” on his dad’s Windows 98 computer. During high school and college, he widened the door to mixed media and expanded on new ways to express himself.
Indë (they/he) is an Afro-Caribbean artist-scholar born, raised, and residing in Mass. In a nutshell, they contend with American imperial systems of division, using multimedia compositions to combat the lynching, disenfranchisement, and misrepresentation of queer people of color. While in Boston for their BFA at MassArt, Indë took advantage of the ProArts Consortium to study at the Berklee College of Music, forging skills which support their current roles as director of the Ujima Singers, an Afrocentric music collective founded by Evelyn Harris at the Northampton Community Music Center, and as an independent artist. Indë’s touring exhibition Mirror, Mirror includes: live music from their album Role Model, large figure paintings on mirrors, and social/cultural programs designed for community education and the amplification of marginalized voices, both present and prematurely past/passed. “My would-be role models [are] buried: Marsha P., Marlon Riggs, and Malcolm X.”
I-SHEA is an eclectic ARTist/ musician who comes from the source of hip hop and raised in the sauce of merengue, bolero, rumba, salsa, reggae, nyabinghi, r&b, soul, and west African rhythms. I-SHEA has lit up the east/west coast USA, Canada, Latin America, The Caribbean, and Africa, performing at legendary venues like Daniel Sorano National Theatre of Dakar, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Apollo in Harlem. You can find I-SHEA playing with the following bands: The Gaslight Tinkers, The Lost Tribe (of CT), Pamela Means and the Reparations, Gokh bi System, and Rebirth.
Carlos REC McBride is an innovator, dedicated educator, and program leader with over 15 years of experience spanning higher education, multimedia storytelling, and community-focused initiatives. He specializes in leveraging technology and creative arts, such as photography, video, and audio, to foster engagement, address social issues, and support diverse learners. Carlos has taught at institutions such as Hampshire College, Smith College, and Holyoke Community College, designing interdisciplinary curricula on topics like social justice, urban studies, and Hip-Hop culture, Art and Graffiti culture.
Muriel Monik Johnson relocated from Oakland, CA to New England six years ago, and in that time she has made a remarkable impact on the Mass arts community. She earned a residency at City Space Art Center in Easthampton, where she produced and performed her first one-woman show, and has since been recognized with both the ValleyCreates Capacity-Building Grant and the Mass Cultural Council Grant for Multidisciplinary Artists. A natural-born storyteller, Muriel has been performing professionally for over 30 years, sharing tales across the globe — from the townships of South Africa to the private schools of Brazil. She believes storytelling is an act of profound connection and compassion, one that suspends time and bonds people in ways nothing else can. Muriel is also a prolific visual artist, whose work was most recently featured in the 2026 Harlem Fine Arts Exhibition in New York City.
Jules Jones is a queer disabled artist living and working in Franklin County, MA. Jones’ “collage paintings” are maximalist mixed media works that reflect their process of repurposing old artworks into collaging material. Print media such as monotype, screen prints, and lithographs meet scraps of newspaper, works on paper, or childhood drawings; all become affixed to a surface, to be further painted and drawn on, in a nearly endless feedback loop of layering- until a precise visual balance is achieved. Jones prior paintings on canvas or paper become cannibalized, cut into whimsical butterflies and flowers, or universal motifs such as body outlines and faces. Each painting becomes a multi-colored quilt, where figures dance and patterns emerge. This furious recycling of self-made materials results in mosaic-like paintings with an imaginative, otherworldly quality.
James Rosado is a multi-disciplinary artist, community organizer, and the creator of The Backyard Media—The Show with People You Know. My work seeks to build connections between the communities of Western Mass and the artists who make this region special. We bring these connections to life through intimate artist interviews, organized local events, and creating collaborative opportunities within the community. In a world where our minds are constantly occupied by negative headlines and endless social media feeds, The Backyard Media stands as a grounding, connective community experience—separate from the strife consuming our world and the distractions that pull us away from our daily lives.
Ailey Verdelle is an accomplished musician, composer, and educator working in the styles of jazz, improvisation, and electronic music. A graduate of Hampshire College, Ailey is passionate about the creative arts and the use of music in creating a more compassionate world. They are a talented musician and composer committed to social justice, uplifting Black music, and bringing community together through music. They are a recipient of the 2025 Pay it Forward grant at Easthampton Cityspace. Ailey is affiliated with a broad network of musicians in the Valley, and has done work at Institute for the Musical Arts, and performs in New York, and venues throughout the Valley, such as the Iron Horse, Bombyx, the Marigold and the Five Colleges.
Recognitions
Kent Alexander Radical Imagination Award
In real life, as on stage, Kent Alexander played many roles and was a pivotal figure in helping to reshape the creative landscape in Western Mass. He is most well-known for his work to create space for cultural inclusion and anti-racism including his work as a Community Advisor focusing on DEI for ValleyCreates, a Northampton Arts Council board member, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant for the ArtsHub of Western MA.
Kent believed in the transformative power of imagination as a catalyst for meaningful social change. Inspired by the late thespian, cultural advisor, and activist, the Kent Alexander Radical Imagination Award is given to an artist whose work reflects the same intersectional spirit Kent embodied as both a creative force and a community leader.
In Memory of Rosemary Tracy Woods
This event is dedicated to the memory of Rosemary Tracy Woods, whose contributions, leadership, and commitment will forever leave a lasting impact on our arts community.
An irreplaceable pillar of the arts, Rosemary Tracy served alongside Kent Alexander as one of the first ValleyCreates Community Advisors. The well-known founding director of “Art for the Soul Gallery” was an experienced arts curator and dedicated arts advocate. Above all, she was a respected and trusted member of the Springfield community. We remember Woods, not only for all that she did, but for who she was to so many.
Rosemary Tracy Woods’ Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 9 from 10am-2pm at the HOPE Center for the Arts, 150 Bridge St., Springfield, MA.
Supporting Arts & Culture
ValleyCreates has supported hundreds of nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists living and working in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. This has been made possible with ten years of generous support from our partner, the Barr Foundation, and generous individuals who are committed to fostering creativity and empowering artists.
ARTIST GRANTS
Capacity-Building Grants go beyond funding, providing individualized, artist-centered professional development to help you strengthen and sustain your creative career. This program is a sustainability initiative for artists who currently live or have studio space in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. The program, offered in partnership with Assets for Artists, pairs grant support with coaching, workshops, and artist community-building.
Project Evolution Grants are provided in partnership with Assets for Artists to provide project grant support with cohort learning, 1:1 coaching, and additional project-administration-oriented professional development. This opportunity ensures that artists have the tools they need for their project to succeed.
Since 2020,156 artists have received $476,000 in ValleyCreates Artist Grants.
Flexible Funding Grantmaking for Arts Organizations
Flexible Funding grants provide general operating support to nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations that benefit our region.
Since 2021, 235 arts organizations have received more than $4.7M in Flexible Funding Grants.
Convenings and Building Connections
Throughout the year, ValleyCreates convenes artists and arts nonprofits around various topics (or no topic at all) to create space for the sector to resource share, better understand what each other does, and identify opportunities for mutual support and collaboration.
Support ValleyCreates
Together, we can sustain and grow ValleyCreates and help support the artistic ecosystem for Western Mass.
Planning Committee
Sunny Allis, ValleyCreates Artist
Mark Guglielmo, ValleyCreates Artist and Community Advisor
NAGO, ValleyCreates Artist
Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez, Community Advisor
Steph Reyes, Program Officer, Arts & Creativity, CFWM
Sreyes@communityfoundation.org
Nicole Bourdon, Senior Program Officer, CFWM
Nbourdon@communityfoundation.org
A Case for the Arts
An original poem by Nigel D. Greaves
Asked to make a case for The Arts; Tasked with drawing up sunrays shining down.
Art is nutrient-rich soil, feeding the roots of deeply connected communities.
A driver of dollars that fuel economic engines, steering money to makers.
Altruistic and effective at collective healing. A gift inspiring generosity.
A Blackout happens when the system fails us; Art is luminosity.
An essential element of justice-oriented social movements.
Art was formally trained transforming the sides of trains.
Additive to any equitable educational opportunity.
Art is acting class scene thru a looking glass.
Affixed to creatives. Remixing the native.
Art is world-building for truth-telling.
Art is holding hands with history.
Art is a leveler and an elevator.
Art is lyricism over cynicism.
Art is grounded in space.
Aware. Higher wisdom.
Art is philanthropic.
Art is impactful.
Art is on-topic.
Artist of color.
Art is in style.
Art is written.
Alliterative.
Art is rhythm.
A vision. A voice.
A good word heard.
Art is street and fine.
Art can dance and fight.
Art is you. Me. Us. Joy. Hope.
Art is home. Love. Soul. Growth.
Art is for giving. For common wealth.
The Arts make the case for themselves.