Who's Who

YEAR ROUND Staff

Erin Lavelle
she/her/hers
Artistic Director

Sydney Petersen
they/them/theirs
Production Director

Pamela Vázquez Torres
she/her/ella
Administrative Director

Photo: Syd, Erin and Pamela during the 2025 program

three people take a selfie with big smiles with the shanty village in the distance
Erin Lavelle, Artistic Director
Erin Lavelle

Artistic Director

Pamela Vázquez Torres

Administrative Director

Sydney Petersen

(they/them/theirs)
Production Director

SEASONAL STAFF

Karly is smiling while looking through a round window of a yellow shanty. Snow is in the background

Karly Bergmann
she/her/hers
2026 On-Ice Crew

a person wearing heartshaped sunnies and colorful winterwear kneels on the ice

Ches Cipriano
they/them/theirs
2026 Stage Manager

A person wearing a sash kneels next to a kicksled with a sailor doll on the seat

matt regan
he/him/his
2026 On-Ice Crew

Sashi has glasses facial hair wears wintery clothing and holds greenery against a snowy background

Sashi White
he/him/his
2026 On-Ice Crew

Karly is smiling while looking through a round window of a yellow shanty. Snow is in the background
Karly Bergmann

(she/her/hers)
2026 Co-Producer

a person wearing heartshaped sunnies and colorful winterwear kneels on the ice
Ches Cipriano

(they/them/theirs)
2026 Stage Manager

a person pauses on the ice holding up a wooden pole and a drill with an auger bit attached
matt regan

(he/him/his)
2026 Co-Producer

Sashi has glasses facial hair wears wintery clothing and holds greenery against a snowy background
Sashi White

(he/him/his)
2026 Co-Producer

Board Members

Art Shanty Projects trustees are guardians of the mission who ensure compliance with legal and financial requirements while also enforcing ethical guidelines. The purpose of the Board is to set general direction for and govern the organization in a manner that fosters positive relationships in the community. Member applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you are interested in becoming a board member, get more info on board membership or fill out the interest form.

Katie Edwards
she/her/hers
Scenic artist, designer & drafty queen

Tara Henderson
she/her/hers
Marketing professional, shanty lover

Nipinet Landsem
they/them/theirs
Artist of many trades

Michael LoPresti
he/him/his
Educator, theater/film-goer, amateur chef

Darren McGann
he/him/his
Sustainability professional

Katie Ortman
she/her/hers
Arts administrator

Jeffrey Sherman
he/him/his
Artist, designer, technician

Neal Sorensen
he/him/they/them
Digital accessibility professional, maker, artist

Kate Zellmer
she/her/hers
Heath tech professional by day / artist and writer by night

Katie Edwards and her corgi.
Katie Edwards

(she/her/hers)
Scenic Artist, Designer, & Crafty Queen

Tara Henderson
Tara Henderson

(she/her/hers)
Marketing Professional, Shanty Lover

Nipinet Landsem smiling
Nipinet Landsem

(they/them/theirs)
Artist of Many Trades

Michael LoPresti
Michael LoPresti

(he/him/his)
Educator, Theater/Film-Goer, Amateur Chef

Darren McGann at the village gate
Darren McGann

(he/him/his)
Sustainability Professional

Katie Ortman wearing a beanie while standing on a beach
Katie Ortman

(she/her/hers)
Arts Administrator

Board Member Jeffrey Sherman
Jeffrey Sherman

(he/him/his)
Artist, Designer, Technician​​

Neal Sorensen wearing a banana shaped hat.
Neal Sorensen

(he/him/they/them)
Digital Accessibility Professional, Maker, Artist

Kate Zellmer on the frozen lake excitedly gesturing at a lawn flamingo wearing a sweater.
Kate Zellmer

(she/her/hers)
Health Tech Professional by day / Artist and Writer by night

FOUNDERS

Peter Haakon Thompson
he/him/his

David Pitman
he/him/his

Two men stand on a path by Medicine Lake. One wears dark winter gear, the other wears a red jacket and has bare feet.

Peter and David at Medicine Lake, 2012

2026 Open Call Jurors

Alya Ansari
Jen Dolen
Fionna Ek
Emily Janisch
Erin Lavelle
Michael LoPresti
Mia McGill
Katie Ortman

Join the fun!

Interested in being a part of the ‘behind the scenes’ at Art Shanty Projects?