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Staff

MICHELLE NOVELLO: Executive Director and Founder, earned a Masters of Education degree with a focus on Arts in Education from Harvard University. She owned and operated a successful printing and design firm for ten years. In 2002 she facilitated a peer-mentoring program at the Rhode Island Training School (RITS), and published, designed, and printed two anthologies of poetry by RITS residents. During her 25 years of producing, exhibiting, and curating art exhibits, she has developed many strong associations with businesses and organizations throughout Rhode Island.

LISA UTMAN RANDALL: Director of Development; received a BA in English Lit from UMass Boston. She co-founded and served as Executive Director of Island Arts Center in Newport, and has over 15 years experience in non-profit leadership, program development and youth services. Her past work as a certified Montessori teacher, children’s education programmer at the Boston Children’s Museum and educational coordinator at Child and Family Services has led to her dedication to youth development. Randall is also an award winning arts and entertainment writer. After a year of freelance grant writing for RiverzEdge, Randall is coming on board full time to lead the RiverzEdge strategic development plan.

BRADLEY FESMIRE: Program Director and Painting Studio Supervisor; received his MFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2005. He has spent the last two years at RiverzEdge teaching painting, supervising the outreach program, organizing exhibitions, and overseeing the opening of the Woodshop. During his tenure, he has trained and developed participants to lead and teach workshops, become powerful mentors, and has been key in our graduating seniors getting accepted to prestigious undergraduate programs, as well as winning merit-based scholarships and awards. He keeps an active studio life and has had numerous exhibitions over the last year in New York and New England.

MAUREEN KEAVENY: Digital Photography Studio Supervisor; received her MFA in Photography from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2007. Her past experience includes teaching photography at RISD and working as an assistant for the Aaron Siskind Center for Photography at the RISD Museum. Her studio practice includes photography, installation, and new media. She has exhibited her work in New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, Providence, and in the Museum at Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA.

ANNA JANE KOCON: Silkscreen Supervisor; received her MFA in drawing from Colorado State University in 2006. She currently teaches part time at Fisher College and maintains a small silkscreen garment line. Her personal artwork involves printmaking, painting and drawing and has been in numerous exhibitions both in Colorado and the Providence area.

CHAN XATKOUN: Participant Liaison and Painting Studio Intern; Recently receiving his GED, Chan has begun work on his portfolio for the college admission process, and plans on attending RISD in the fall of 2008. Beginning as a participant in the painting studio, he has been promoted to the role of assisting the new budding artists in the studio and guiding them in their artistic and life goals. He has participated in many of our recent exhibitions with a number of his works selling to appreciative buyers and art connoisseurs.