Who's Who

YEAR ROUND DIRECTORS

Sydney Petersen
they/them/theirs
Production Director

Erin Lavelle
she/her/hers
Artistic Director

Pamela Vázquez Torres
she/her/ella
Administrative Director

Photo: Syd, Erin and Pamela during the 2025 program

Erin, Sydney, and Pamela take a selfie with big smiles with the shanty village in the distance

SEASONAL PRODUCTION TEAM

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

Read the 2026 staff bios here!

2026 PROGRAM SERVICES

Drew Arrieta
Photographer

Austin Beatty
ASL Interpreter

Cal Hanson
Medic

Quinn Jonas
Medic

Michelle Storm
Audio Describer

2026 OPEN CALL JURORS

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

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, participate directly in fundraising and program implementation, and be an advocate and ambassador, fostering 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.

A person wearing a fur hat and patchwork jacket at sunset in winter

Kasi Aten
she/her/hers

Whimsy seeker, art lover, perpetual learner

Katie Edwards and her corgi.

Katie Edwards
she/her/hers

Scenic artist, designer & crafty queen

Summer Keown

Summer Keown
she/her/hers

Professional tree hugger, writer of odd words

Michael LoPresti

Michael LoPresti
he/him/his

Educator, theater/film-goer, amateur chef

Darren smiles big while wearing his knit octopus hat and magenta art shanty sash

Darren McGann
he/him/his

Sustainability professional

a smiling face seen through a giant outdoor shiny kaleidoscope shanty

Brian Moe
he/him/his

Museum worker, art instigator, lake-ice optimist

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

a person wearing a cozy knit hat smiles inside of a shiny shanty

Alicia Villarreal
she/her/hers

Maker, baker, systems builder

A person wearing an orange coat smiles during golden hour outside in winter

Max Wirsing
he/him/his

Dancer, Performer, Architectural Designer

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?

Get Involved!