Connecting to Futures: Deidre McPherson

Deidre McPherson is a dot connector and coalition builder, deeply committed to the power of collaboration within and outside of the arts sector. For over fifteen years, she has worked in arts and culture in a variety of roles—from marketing and program management to producing and curating arts events and festivals—while remaining steadfastly rooted in community outreach and advocacy. Currently, […]

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Connecting to Futures, Diversify to Amplify: Aireonna McCall-Dubé

Aireonna McCall-Dubé proceeds at full throttle: as the founder and owner of three intertwined businesses—Extraordinaire Photos, EP Events, and EP Studio—she also holds a full-time day job as community manager for a Tremont real estate developer, Sustainable Community Associates. “Going into every day with open arms is fun,” says McCall-Dubé. “It keeps me excited about what I do every day.” […]

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Connecting to Futures: Celeste Stauber

Celeste Stauber knows that if the zombie apocalypse comes to a neighborhood near her, she’ll be alright. “Visual art is just about problem solving,” says Stauber. “In any job I’ve had, I’ve been the problem solver and figured out a solution creatively. Plus I can make paper and rope from plants. If I found a team of people I wouldn’t […]

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Connecting to Futures: Kyra Wells is … how an early re-purposer found her purpose in graphic design

“Hi, I’m Kyra!” reads the top of the homepage of the website of Kyra Wells. “I am a Graphic Designer.” And then a vertical line, like the cursor of a text, swipes left and erases that job title, replacing it with Motion Designer. Then Brand Strategist takes its place. Next is Design Educator, followed by Community Advocate, and finally Champion […]

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Connecting to Futures: Zach Repphun, Building a Career by Design

Zach Repphun’s first memory of encountering a work of art was on a field trip to Youngstown’s esteemed Butler Institute of American Art in the fourth grade. He was captivated by Madison Avenue at Speed, Peter Maier’s actual-size painting of Jeff Gordon’s #24 race car that is now part of that museum’s permanent collection. Years later, when Repphun was working […]

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