First one-year term

Appointed September 2023 as Interim Treasurer

Artist member since 2021

Treasurer@SalemArts.org

Treasurer: Vanessa R Thompson (She/Hers)

Vanessa R Thompson is a film photographer and holds a career as a Human Resources/People Operations Professional dedicated to building and supporting a strong collaborative, inclusive company culture.

She received an MFA at the Art Institute of Boston in 2005. Since then, she has been involved in a number of collaborative gallery spaces in the Boston area and throughout New England.

Secretary, 2023

First one-year term

Secretary@SalemArts.org

Secretary: Edward Morneau

Edward Morneau is a retired teacher of thirty-five years, and has been committed to creative endeavors in art, music, writing, and travel. His education is steeped in the areas of English (BA), speech (Fellowship), and film (MS). Edward has taught English, media studies, film studies, and coached and produced theatre arts throughout his career. As a musician he has performed in various contexts--solo and ensembles--and has composed, recorded, and produced numerous CD's--the most recent ("Jacquerie") was included as one of twenty of the top CD's of 2022 by "Metronome Magazine."

Edward Morneau has written several books--plays, parodies, novels, poetry, and illustrated works. One of the latter, "Marks Twain's 'The War Prayer'," was commissioned by Salem State University's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (CHGS), and featured over forty collages illustrating this famous anti-war poem. It was exhibited at the university's Berry Library for four months in 2019-20. He has had other showcases for his collages and has been profiled and reviewed in "The Noise," "It's All About Arts," and "Metronome Magazine," and has been reviewed as a collagist in "The Transcript Newspapers." 

Third Two-Year Board Member Term

Board Member since 2019

Member since 2019

Timothy Brown (He/Him)

Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, Northeast Arc.

Tim’s passion has always been assisting people to succeed. Currently, Tim is the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Northeast Arc, where he is part of a dynamic team that helps positively change the lives of 15,000 people with disabilities.

Tim’s tenure at the Northeast Arc spans over 30 years. Projects have include the development of ArcWorks Community Art Center, Breaking Grounds Café, Peabody’s Black Box and revitalization of 28,000 square feet of mall space. Tim created parcels, a retail store supporting artists/entrepreneurs with disabilities and autism from around the globe. Tim developed and implements the annual Arc Tank, an international social innovation challenge that has awarded over $1million dollars.

Tim also serves on the Executive Committee for the Peabody Cultural Collaborative, Executive Committee for North Shore Children’s Museum and President of the Friends of the North Shore Children’s Museum. Tim also serves on Peabody Main Streets Promotions Committee, MA Innovative Task Force and the Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment. Tim is on the Advisory Board for the Behind You, Salem and Center for Public Representation’s Supported Decision-Making Advisory Council. Tim is involved in local and regional chambers of commerce. 

Tim frequently presents in regional, state and national conferences on topics including system change, collaboration and partnerships. An innovator and change leader, Tim has judged social innovation challenges for MassChallenge, the Social Innovation Forum, Remarkable and EforAll. Tim co-leads hack-a-thons at Suffolk University. Tim was awarded the 2022 Program Innovation Award by the National Council of Executives. 

Tim accredits his success to a critical and analytical thought process, developing strong collaborations and partnerships and always willing to roll up his sleeve and be a part of the solution.

 

Board Member since 2023

First two-year term

Member since 2022

Evan Dooley (He/Him)

Evan Dooley is the consultant, paralegal, manager, and creative visionary who serves as Founder and Principal at Dooley Paralegal & Consulting. For almost 20 years he has served as a consultant for businesses, law firms, attorneys, creative individuals, and talent – bringing his broad experience for the strategic direction and execution of business, legal and creative projects. 

In addition to his legal expertise he has been at the forefront of political campaign management as well as at the inception of innovative products and services – most recently being a partner developing an IoT device. Prior to founding DPC he worked in marketing for Sony Music Entertainment and in public relations and local/national marketing for one of the world’s top promoters and live entertainment corporations. He later became that corporation’s National Venue Sales Coordinator, assisting in venue sponsorships and co-branding efforts for over 100 live entertainment venues nationwide.

Today, he continues to consult with businesses and creative individuals on general business, talent management, strategy, marketing, and development and his personal business designing lifestyle clothing and home decor.

  

Board Member since 2023

First two-year term

Member since 2022

Joseph A. Ferrari, Esq. (He/Him)

Joseph A. Ferrari, Esq. – is the Contracts Manager / Deal Manager for Oracle America, Inc and serves on the Board of Directors for Salem Film Fest.  He completed his undergraduate degree in Film/Radio/TV and Political Science from University of Wisconsin Madison.  

He holds a degree in law (Juris Doctorate) from New Hampshire School of Law and is admitted to the bar in Maryland and Illinois.  In addition to his experience in negotiaton and contract management Mr. Ferrari has extensive experience working in the legal and political fields.  He also brings extensive experience in sponsorship, grants writing and non-profit management  from his work with the Salem Film Fest.     

 

Board Member since 2024

First two-year term

Member since 2024

Deborah Greel

Deborah Greel was the City of Salem’s first Public Art Planner and the former Executive Director of the Marblehead Arts Association. 

Now “retired”, she serves on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Community Development Coalition and the Corporate Committee at the Peabody Essex Museum.  For the City of Salem, she serves on the Licensing Board and Community Preservation Committee. 

Deborah’s husband, John Wathne, is a structural engineer in historic preservation and a realist painter.   Both she and John are strong supporters of the arts and proud members of the Salem Arts Association.

Board Member 2019 - 2023

Second two-year term

Artist Member since 2019

Nathan Lewis (He/Him)

Nathan Lewis is a curator and independent arts organizer with national recognition. Throughout his career, he has developed a diverse range of artistic experiences, including museum exhibitions, intimate performances, academic symposiums, and community art events.

Nathan has held significant positions in various institutions, such as the Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs at the Montserrat College of Art, the Head Curator for the Salem Art Gallery at TST, the Gallery Manager at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and the Coordinator for both the McKnight Visual Arts Fellowships and Jerome Foundation Fellowships for Early Career Artists.

In addition to his curatorial practice, Nathan has taught at colleges and universities across multiple cities, engaging with graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education students.

Nathan holds a Masters in User Experience, a Masters in Fine Arts, and a Bachelors in Studio Art. He currently resides in Salem, MA, with his wife and three cats.

 

Board Member 2019 - 2023

Second two-year term

Member since 2022 

Gretchen Sinnett (She/Her)

Gretchen Sinnett is an Associate Professor of Art History and Chair of the Art + Design department at Salem State University.  Her courses explore how art and visual culture both reflect and help shape the societies from which they emerge.  

She believes that close looking and visual analysis benefit students in all disciplines and especially enjoys teaching courses that draw students from across the university.  For many years her American art students have conducted a civic engagement research project with the Danvers Historical Society, providing hands-on experience with art and material culture.  

Her scholarship focuses on representations of girlhood and adolescence in 19th-century American art.  She lives in Melrose with her husband, two Siamese cats, and her son when he is home from college. 

Second Two-Year Term - 2023

Artist member since 2018

(Student Board Appointee)

Erin Survilas (She/Her)

Erin Survilas is an award-winning artist and student at Monserrat College of Art.  A beloved member of the community Ms. Survilas joined Salem Arts Association when still in high school.  She is familiar with both the organization and the needs of younger artists.  Although grounded in classical painting traditions her art work looks to the future and expresses her unique point of view.  Ms. Survilas acts as a liaison between the Board of Directors and student artists.   

 

Board Member, Emeritus

Past President 2017-2020

Vice President 2016

Board member since 2014

Fourth two-year term on board

Artist member since 2009

James Bostick (He/Him)

Director of User Experience Design and Researcher at Carrier Corporation, Fine Art Photographer, Arts Administrator, Owner, Gallows Hill Artist Studios.

Bostick is an active Salem artist with a focus on fine art photography. In his Gallows Hill studio Bostick creates images ranging from Infrared photographs inspired by historic landmarks to his theatrical “Salem Arcanum Tarot” project. Other themes include still life, studio figure photography, and experimental photo techniques. Images by James Bostick have been exhibited globally and are included in many private and public collections. 

Bostick’s professional career spans more that 30-years leading cutting edge design projects involving user-centric practices to deliver communication strategies, state of the art software, and interactive experiences for Fortune 500 companies including Carrier Corp, United Technologies, Dell, EMC, and Gateway Computers. 

He earned his Masters of Arts form Pennsylvania State University, Bachelors of Fine Arts form Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Studied at the Villa Caproni School of Fine Arts in Rome Italy, attended Millersville University, an has an Associates Degree in Fine Art form Bucks County Community College.

 

Committees 

Salem Arts in entirely operated by volunteers.

If you are interested in helping please contact any committee chairperson listed below to see who you can participate. 

Operations Committee

• Operations Committee meets monthly with all committee chairpersons to plan and manage activities and programs. 

operations@salemarts.org

• Executive Committee
• All Committee Chairpersons

Finance Committee

• All things money

finance@salemarts.org

• Vanessa Thompson, Treasurer

Development Committee

• Researches and writes grants.

• Solicits cash & in-kind donations.
• Identifies and pursues sponsorship & other fundraising opportunities.

finance@salemarts.org

• Evan Dooley, Co-Chair
• Deborah Greel, Co-Chair
• Vanessa Thompson,  Treasurer
• Executive Committee

Exhibit Committee

• Develops procedures & policies for gallery operations.
  
• Manages volunteer exhibit committees for each show. 
• Develops call for art. 
• Install exhibitions. 
• Take in and register art submissions. 

Gallery@SalemArts.org

• Francois-Xavier De Costerd, Co-Chairperson

• Daniel Breslin, Co-Chairperson

• ad hoc - committee is formed for each exhibition

Retail Committee

• Develops procedures & policies for retail operations.
  
• Manages & maintains retail space and events.
• Trains gallery shop volunteers.
• Manage Gallery and Shop volunteer schedule.

shop@salemarts.org

• Chairperson Needed
  
• Retail Shop Volunteers needed. Gallery Volunteer Sign Up
  
• volunteer@salemarts.org
  
• Please email shop@salemarts.org with inquiries. 

Events Committee

• Works with Exhibitions Committee to plan receptions. 
  
• Plans and executes performing arts events (music, dance, theater, etc.)
  
• Plans and executes literary events (readings, storytelling, etc.)
• Plans and executes special events (e.g., Arts Festival.)
• Works closely with Exhibitions and education committee chairpersons. 

events@salemarts.org

• Chairperson Needed
• Volunteers needed for this committee. Please contact us. 
• ad hoc - committee is formed for each event
  

Communications Committee

• Identifies and pursues alternative ways to create a buzz.
  
• Produces and distributes marketing materials, newsletters, etc.
• writes and distributes press releases.
• Contributes content for website.

publicity@salemarts.org

• Chairperson Needed
• Committee members needed for PR, Media relations. Please email publicity@salemarts.org if interested. 
  

Social Media COMMITTEE

• Identifies and pursues alternative ways to create a buzz.
• Manages social media. 
• Keeps community event calendars updated.
• Contributes content for website.

social@salemarts.org

• Phe Needham, Co-Chair
• Nathan Lewis, Co-Chair

Membership Committee

• Processes new applications & renewals
• Recruits new members
• Works with other committees to recruit & coordinate volunteers

membership@SalemArts.org

• Chairperson Needed

Education Committee

• Manage workshops and other learning opportunities
• Work with members who wish to conduct workshops. 
• Education outreach to schools. 
• Manage Salem Arts Scholarships. 

education@salemarts.org

• Chairperson Needed

Technology Committee

• Systems Admin (sales, membership, and communications).
  
• Plans for, manages, and documents our IT infrastructure.
• Provides technical assistance & training.
• Works with committees to assess the IT needs of our programs & activities.
• Creates and maintains the website; trains and supports committees in Website updates.

Support@salemarts.org

• Jim Bostick