Board and Staff

Staff

Your job: Web developer/tech consultant

Town you live in: Keene

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? Arts Alive! I'm only partially kidding. I found out about Arts Alive! at a state arts convening, saw the great work the organization was doing, and started to look into the area, which I had previously known nothing about. It turned out that the Monadnock Region was a much better match for me than where I was living, so I moved here!

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive? I've lived in two types of places: where the arts have no importance, and where they are valued. I prefer the latter, and Arts Alive! helps to create and grow that value here in the Monadnock Region.

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts? I'm a writer (songs and fiction), composer, and music producer. I also consider myself a massive fan of the arts, and try to ingest others' creativity as much as I can.

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region? The arts are one of the best ways to get people together in person, which I think is going to be even more important than ever in the coming years. I want to help Arts Alive nurture those local connections.

What’s the best advice that you’ve received? "Dress conservatively," told to me by my very-Texan, 6'7" giant of a grandfather. No, wait, that's not it, although that certainly is advice. How about this: "Default to 'yes.' Say 'no' only if necessary." (That one is my own amalgamation of lots of advice.) Or one more: "Grow your own environment," by the great 20th-century composer George Rochberg.

Fun fact about yourself: I grew up on a ranch in West Texas, and was on track to be a professional horse trainer (rodeos and roping, yeehaw!) until I got serious about music and decided to go to school for it.

Give a shout out!: Shout out to my fellow Arts Alive board members. I've drawn so much inspiration from them!

Your Job: Owner of 17Rox Artist Studios and Program Specialist at Northern Border Regional Commission.

Town you live in: Gilsum

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? I came to Keene from St. James, NY in 2009 to attend Keene State College for a Degree in Business Management. So glad I did because I feel like I hit the jackpot!

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive!? Art has been in my life since I was a young teen. As I get older, I understand that someone has to be behind the curtain orchestrating the magic. Through my education process I've learned that I love this type of work and knew if I wanted to be a part of the fun I needed to seek out organizations like Arts Alive!

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts?   I love going to galleries near and far, seeing street art in other parts of the world, taking photos on my camera, working with other artists on projects, listening to music (preferably live but virtual is okay too I guess)

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region? A place where people can walk down the street and be confronted with murals, sculpture, possibly some live music coming from a street beyond your line of sight, a gallery in every town with the art from local artists from the town, a comfortable place to sit and enjoy your beverage while gazing at a nice view of nature or art.

What’s the best advice that you’ve received? "Don't let the naysayers get to you. There will be many people who object to your missions, consider all points of view but don't let them stand in the way of creating a vibrant community through the arts!"

Fun fact about yourself: I play the flute and I enjoy teaching animals tricks

Give a shout out!: Check out www.17rox.com & www.fpamonadnock.com Neither of these things would have existed if it weren't for Arts Alive!

Your current job: Independent Grant Writer and Nonprofit Consultant

Town you live in: Alexandria, VA, and Jaffrey, NH

What brought you to the Monadnock region? I came to the Monadnock region in 2022. Following significant life changes, I planned to stay for two months to study Daoist martial arts in Francestown and be near my best friend in Peterborough. I stayed for nearly two years. I now primarily live in Alexandria, Virginia, but I am so enamored with the Monadnock region that I’m committed to returning regularly for friendships, the area’s arts and natural beauty, and to support Arts Alive!

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive? I appreciate the Monadnock region’s rich history of valuing artistic expression. I strongly believe that art and artists play a fundamental role in fostering a vibrant community and I am passionate about Arts Alive’s mission and efforts to further increase access, enabling more people to learn, participate in, present, and create original local art. 

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts? Every way I can. I love making, visual arts, crafts, music, theater, performance, puppetry, poetry, dance… I love hearing artists and makers talk about what they do and why. I believe creative expression is expansive and provides some of the most powerful demonstrations of human potential.

What is your vision for arts & culture in the Monadnock region? Many great things are already happening for the arts in the area. I am eager to help foster even more.

What's the best advice you've received? Life isn’t about never falling down. It’s about perfecting the art of getting back up.

Fun fact about yourself: I love puns, rocks, and Excel (yes, spreadsheets)!

Give a shout out to someone: Jack, your love of the New Hampshire countryside is contagious. Never stop teaching us all how to run, explore, and sing. 

Your job:  Filmmaker, Owner of The Production House, and Member of The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts

Town you live in: Keene, NH

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? I was born and raised here. I received a BA from Keene State College in Film Production and I continue to live here because I love the community! My roots are deeply embedded here.

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive!? Connecting with creative communities inspires, motivates and uplifts me. Arts Alive! gives me the opportunity to be a part of and support those communities, and help bring the arts to even more people around the region.

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts?  I love creating art myself whether it's making handcrafted jewelry, singing in a choir or doing photography. I also love seeing other people creating art through live performances, artist shows and galleries. But my greatest passion is filmmaking and I'm grateful that I get to experience doing that everyday through my work as a video producer.

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region?  I envision a thriving, inclusive arts ecosystem where creativity is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience. I see artists of all disciplines—visual arts, music, theater, dance, film—connecting and learning from one another, sparking innovative projects that draw visitors to the region and enrich the local community. I’d love to see more collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, and educators, ensuring that the Monadnock Region continues to be a beacon of creativity and cultural exchange.

What’s the best advice that you’ve received? A local filmmaker once told me to never stop creating. Whether it’s good or bad, constantly creating keeps you motivated and inspired. And I think it’s so true!

Fun fact about yourself: In 2012 I saw a musician, Elizaveta, perform at the Red Room at Cafe 939. I had the opportunity to meet her after the show and I quickly became a huge fan. That lead me to having the opportunity to sing on stage with her in 2014 in NYC as a member of her choir! It was an awesome and unexpected experience!

Give a shout out!: In addition to my deep passion for the arts, I also love serving other nonprofits in various capacities, such as Board Chair of RwandaOne4One.  The organization is based out of Westmoreland, NH and is dedicated to creating a brighter future for children in Rwanda by providing access to quality education for K-12 students, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

Your job: Graphics Manager (aka Art Director/Project Manager)

Town you live in: Keene, NH

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? Grew up outside of Boston and would often pass through this area on our way north to go skiing. In 2004 to be closer to my father and brother who had moved to the area years before. I planned on only being here for a year to two. Look who's still here!

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive!? I have been surrounded by art my whole life and have lived in towns and cities where art was a large part of the culture. I am grateful that Arts Alive! exists and promotes the importance of the arts in this region.

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts?  Currently, the enjoyment closest to my heart is making jewelry with some photography on the side and live music. However, I love it all.

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region?  My vision for arts and culture in this region is expanding what has already been started and making this area a place people want to live and visit because of the creative culture that exists here.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? This isn't direct advice, but I saw my father leave his decades-long industrial real estate career to follow his heart and try to make it as an artist. I had never seen him happier and to this day he has never regretted it. It showed me the importance of following your heart and the power of the need to create, and I'm proud to be following in his footsteps.

Fun fact about yourself: After living here for 10 years, I met a local history buff who discovered that my great, great, great, great grandfather was Josiah Colony! Perhaps that's why Keene was a family magnet?

Give a shout out! I'd like to give a shout out to my father, Robert Seaman. He has shared his creativity and talent in this region for many years, and who, at 89, still spends many hours a day drawing, and has been bringing daily joy to people throughout the pandemic.

Your job: Arts Department Chair, Director of Dance and Theater and Dean of Faculty at Dublin School

Town you live in: Harrisville

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? My husband and I moved here from New York City just before the birth of our second child. I was offered a job at Dublin School and driving through the historic mill town of Harrisville just felt right. I grew up in NH but never knew about this hidden treasure of a town. 

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive!? I believe that engaging in the arts is foundational to the human experience. I am inspired by this organization for its commitment to this premise and commitment to expanding opportunity and access to the arts in this region. I am impressed by the many initiatives Arts Alive galvanizes energy around, from supporting emerging artists and celebrating the various arts events in this area, to advocating for more visibility and infrastructure to grow and expand the reach arts can have in this community. I am excited to be a part of this process.

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts? I love engaging in a collaborative creative process; I love seeing that process through the eyes of young people. I enjoy seeing students living “in the moment” through live performance and I value experiencing a range of different types of art and art-making, which expands one's knowledge of the world, other points of view and ways of experiencing the world, and hopefully gives us insights into ourselves in the process.

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region? I would like to elevate the arts as integral rather than “extra” in our region. I want this region to draw new and diverse artists to live and make art here. I envision artists as leaders in shaping our culture and impacting the values and policies of this region as a safe and welcoming environment for all to belong.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Live life from “Above the Line”: open, curious and committed to learning ~ a basic concept from the perspective of Conscious Leadership.

Fun fact about yourself: Prior to moving to NH, I was a professional modern dancer in NYC.

Give a shout out!

First I want to shout out my husband Donlin’s leather craft business: Horse Hill Studio ~ beautiful and unique works of art and custom orders filled with imagination: https://www.horsehillstudio.com/

I also want to shout out Andy’s Summer Playhouse in Wilton, NH. I grew up immersed in all aspects of theater and performance at Andy’s and I count those years as some of the most informative and inspirational for my own career as a performing artist and an arts educator. What is remarkable is the steadfast belief in the possibilities art-making holds, and the way young people are taken seriously as artists and creators. The playhouse is still thriving today! Check out their work: https://www.andyssummerplayhouse.org/

Your job: Program Manager--Putnam Foundation, and Office Manager--1911 Office, LLC

Town you live in: Marlborough

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? I grew up in Keene, and have stayed in the area most of my life.

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive!? Arts Alive helps so many artists and organizations get started, and does so much to promote the arts in the area. I've been able to attend a lot of events that I otherwise wouldn't have known about.

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts? I enjoy so many of the events going on in the area--music, educational programs, artisans creating wonderful things with their hands!

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region? There is so much going on in this area that I knew nothing about only a few years ago, so my first vision is a way to let everyone know (or help each artist get the word/work out there). I'd love to see more public festivals (free for people who can't afford tickets), live demonstrations by artisans--glass blowing, ceramics, wood carving/turning, textile arts! When Ashuelot Concerts began performing in the area, attending their concerts was my first experience with live chamber music, and it made my heart so happy. It would be great if everyone could have that experience.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I think the one I try to live by is to treat people the way I'd like to be treated.

Fun fact about yourself: I lived in Scotland for four years, and walked on the same streets as my ancestors!

Give a shout out: I want to give a shout out to my husband, Andy, who still makes me laugh after 22 years, and who isn't embarrassed to admit he watches cat videos and PBS Masterpiece with me!

Town you live in: Winchester, NH

What brought you to the Monadnock Region? 1994.  Main Street in Keene on a sunny Sunday morning in June.

Why are you passionate about Arts Alive? Arts Alive brings people together in ways that celebrate, affirm and challenge our humanity.

How do you enjoy experiencing the arts?I like to experience the arts in as many ways as there are, from galleries, music venues, theater and because I have to  be home sometimes, Netflix.  Good stuff if you look.

What is your vision for arts and culture in the Monadnock Region? A shared community vision that honors art as a form of healing and as a conduit for social equity

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Actually a quote from a book by Sophie Strand:  " In his ability to adapt to changing circumstances, Dionysus behaves like an adaptogenic mushroom."

Fun Fact about yourself:  I make really good stir fry.

I give a Shout Out to all our relations.