PEOPLE | PLANET | LEGACIES​

Erin (she/her) is an arts administrator, curator, and creative marketing specialist raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. She leverages her passion for culture, justice, and expression through developing strategies for building community through the arts. She received a degree in Art and Visual Communications and an Executive Certification in Arts & Culture Strategy from University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice. Erin has been recognized nationally for her curatorial work and has over 15 years of experience in grassroots activism, arts administration, professional development for emerging creatives, and youth mentorship. Erin has volunteered throughout Nepal, India and Central America participating in projects focusing on environmental stewardship and conservation. She sits on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival, and along with her pitbull mix Ash, is an avid wanderer. 

Desserin (she/her) is a self-proclaimed business nerd and founder of the 818 Community Darkroom, a photography darkroom and community art space in Van Nuys. She is a US Army veteran with a background in consulting for non-profit organizations and small businesses in the wellness industry.  She graduated with a BS in Psychology from the the Philippines, a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from California Lutheran University and an Executive MBA from California Lutheran University. She enjoys being outdoors, shopping for vintage finds and visiting the museums with her husband and 12 year old daughter. She is also the granddaughter of a California based muralist whose murals are still around to this day. 

Célie (she/her) is a French graduate student in urban planning at UCLA, focusing on environmental justice issues. Through a collaborative program between UCLA and LA City Hall, she is actively involved in delivering recommendations to Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky on improving pedestrian access to public transit. With a background in philosophy of art and geography, she is passionate about the role of art in enhancing daily life in urban spaces and fostering community connections. For the past seven years, Célie has been renovating an abandoned historical monument in Normandie (France) with her family to create a residence for artists and researchers focusing on sustainability issues. Overall, Célie is a curious, passionate 20-year-old who loves wandering around cities to discover new places and meet new people.

Miles Lewis (he/him) is a steady-working goofball with a wry affect and a strong sense of civic duty and the value of mentorship.  In addition to directing the Valley Art Workshop in Tarzana, CA, he is a public artist, freelance illustrator, event portraitist, and fine art painter. He grew up in a family of entertainers in LA's San Fernando Valley with 4 great passions: Art, education, critical/creative thinking, and environmental stewardship.These loves have woven themselves into a few different forms over the years. In 2017, Miles became a zero waste educator and general environmental advocate, working weekends as a portrait artist. Miles is the lead art educator with 11:11 Projects, collaborator of Art + Earth mural project, and the lead instructor for the scholarship-based Youth Art Camp.