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Staff
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Mary Ann Breisch
Executive Director Mary Ann Breisch is a seasoned arts educator and nonprofit executive who has provided leadership and instruction for nonprofit education and arts organizations for more than 15 years. She brings with her extensive experience in the development of multidisciplinary arts programming and visual arts education. Ms. Breisch previously served as Education Director at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, also Fine Arts Administrator and Associate Head of the Lillian and Betty Ratner School in Pepper Pike, where she successfully oversaw the curriculum, program design, and community partnerships. In addition she brings prior experience as Program Facilitator at the Valley Art Center in the late 90’s. She began her career as a studio artist and art educator in private schools, residencies and community partnerships throughout northeast Ohio. Breisch received her BFA with teaching certification from Bowling Green State University. Mary Ann lives with her husband, Jack in the Chagrin Valley.
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Jeni Yonker
Assistant Director Jeni Yonker received her B.S. in Textile Science from Michigan State University and continued graduate studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She has been both a student and an instructor at the Valley Art Center and has a passion for art and drawing. As a 15 year resident of Chagrin Falls she really appreciates what a great resource and organization the Valley Art Center is for our community. Jeni lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband and two boys and is thrilled to be part of the Valley Art Center team.
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Dan Simone
Gallery and Marketing Manager Dan Simone is a lifelong artist and resident of the Chagrin Valley. He most recently completed an Associate’s degree in graphic design at Lakeland Community College where he won multiple awards. He previously was the Curator’s Assistant at the largest gallery space in Lake County, the Gallery at Lakeland Community College. Dan is excited to bring his talents to Valley Art Center, and is eager to get to work!
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Becky Frazier
Office Assistant Becky Frazier studied art education and painting at The Ohio State University and earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Kent State University. She has worked in public and private schools as an art teacher, a preschool teacher and as a university instructor. Becky has painted all of her life and loves working alongside children and adults who are inspired by art. She is excited to bring her gifts and talents to Valley Art Center!
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Laurie Nalepa
Volunteer coordinator and Office Assistant Laurie Nalepa, MLS, MA, worked for 23 years as a professional librarian in both academic and public library settings. It was while doing bulletin boards as a children’s librarian that Laurie rekindled her delight in drawing and painting that she had left behind after her high school years. Beginning as a student at the VAC in 2005, Laurie then became involved as a volunteer at the Valley Art Center and accepted a position as the Office Manager in 2008 where she remained until her retirement in 2013. A regular Office Volunteer and student since then, Laurie is delighted to again join the staff to help develop the volunteer program at the VAC. Residing in Aurora, Laurie has four grown children, a grandson, multiple grand dogs, and a grand cat and 8 rescue cats and 1 dog of her own.
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Lucy Bailey
Registrar and Program Assistant Lucy Bailey is a multi-disciplinary artist living in Kirtland and working in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2019, with a double major in painting and printmaking. While her work is rooted in the logic and history of painting, she employs multiple different processes including photography, digital assemblage, fiber processes, and installation. Along with her position at the Valley Arts Center, Lucy is currently the 2020 Emerging Artist Fellow at Praxis Fiber Workshop in the Waterloo Arts District of Cleveland.
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Linda Merchant Pearce
Marketing & Communications Associate Linda Merchant Pearce is an award winning artist specializing in contemporary realism and wildlife art, with a focus on detailed painting techniques in oil and soft pastel. She holds a B.A. in Archaeology from Youngstown State University and a M.S. Degree in Special Education from National University. She is currently a visual arts instructor at Valley Art Center, Fairmount Center for the Arts, Willoughby Fine Arts Association, and Beck Center. Linda brings her extensive experience in graphic and website design to her new position at VAC.
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