Armisey Smith (she/her) is a native of Brooklyn, New York, living in Newark, NJ. Armisey’s passion for artmaking originated from her mother, Peggy Ruth Smith, a self-taught artist with dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Due to familial constraints, Peggy Smith could not realize her dream of being a working artist; therefore, Armisey took up the mantle to earn a BFA in Illustration from Parsons School of Design and an MPS in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute. Armisey’s mother is the driving force and inspiration to continue and succeed in her artistic practice.

Armisey believes her skills are an asset in arts administration, education, and curation. Her amalgamation of skills has afforded various opportunities to collaborate with essential stakeholders and community-based organizations in New York and New Jersey, serving primarily marginalized communities for over 30 years.

Her artistic commitment expands into areas that delve into systemic oppression. Her prominent subjects illuminate the plight of black women and other women of color from past to present. She also believes in producing works that highlight the beauty of black and brown women. Through these lenses, Armisey believes the production and exhibition of her works are an inherent part of her moral obligation to herself, her family, and the public.

Ms. Smith exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the tri-state area. She has been the lead artist on several public art mural projects in New Jersey, including Treat Place Four Corners Project, Bloomberg Asphalt Art Project, Rutgers University, the Newark Artist Collaboration through Audible, Yendor Productions-Lincoln Park, Benjamin Franklin School, and Sussex Avenue School.

Nanci DeBonis Iovino (she/her), from Rockland County, New York, lives in Glen Ridge, NJ. Nanci always had a creative spirit fostered throughout high school. She ultimately earned her bachelor's degree in illustration from Syracuse University, with intensive studies at Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology.

Nanci’s brought her education and skill set to the Montclair Art Museum, where she has spent 20 years inspiring artists of all ages in various media. She also developed programs, managed the studios and coordinated events and student exhibitions. Her work also continues for other community organizations such as the Montclair Institute of Lifelong Learning, ICAP Arts, and Studio Montclair. Her greatest joy is to spark creativity in others and provide a comforting environment for all to explore their inner artist.

Her personal art practice utilizes a variety of artistic styles and techniques. She considers herself a multimedia animal artist and uses each colorful creature to express her feelings about climate change, politics, injustice, and personal growth. The encompassing theme of Nanci’s artwork is an ultimate devotion to our Earth and all that inhabit its space. She has exhibited nationally in galleries and museums and continues to create and use her artistic voice to raise awareness that art can bring people together and open minds.

Devoted educator and versatile, award-winning filmmaker, editor and digital artist with a background in Digital Filmmaking, Motion Graphics and Visual Effects. Recognized for bringing a wealth of historical and technical knowledge to the classroom and for contributing a wide range of technical skills and an efficient storytelling vision to every production. Fluent in Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Avid, After Effects, Photoshop, Flash, Maya, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Encore, DVD Studio Pro, HTML and CSS.

Melisa Gerecci works in drawing, printmaking, and installations to tell stories, often through experimental narrative structures. Melisa has been commissioned for work with The Bowery Mission and Rutgers University and for public art on the East Coast Greenway and at Innovation Cathedral in Newark. Her work is held at the Newark Public Library and in private collections. She co-founded the CookBook LookBook Calendar Project, which receives support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program: Newark Artist Accelerator Grant. Melisa earned a BA from UT Austin and a JD from NYU School of Law.

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/megerecci/

WEBSITE https://www.megerecci.com

Being creative is not switched on and off but is a natural state for Joan Cummings. From a very young age, Joan was always on the hunt for and collecting found objects – especially those found on the sidewalk, on the beach, in the woods, in her mother’s button box or her father’s tool box -- to turn bit and pieces into art projects. Originally a fiber artist, designing quilts and plush toys, Joan transitioned from fabric arts to silversmithing and jewelry making. Joan’s jewelry and sculptures have been exhibited at the Newark Museum, Morris Museum, Kean University and New Jersey City University.

Joan has a BFA in Fashion Merchandising and Management from Pratt Institute and had had several positions in her career including: Assistant Crafts Editor at Woman’s Day Magazine; Senior Product Designer at Avon Products; and Director of Creative and Product Development at Scholastic Inc. Presently, Joan is a teaching artist at Studio Montclair and shares all of her art experience and techniques to her students.

Krystle Lemonias (she/her) is an interdisciplinary visual artist, labor activist, and art educator living and working in Northern New Jersey. Krystle is primarily influenced by her research on social class privilege, citizenship, labor rights, and how economic inequality impacts Black communities. She uses found materials, fabric, and iconography to communicate these themes. Krystle uses her work as an educational tool to learn about Black immigrant cultural identity and its connection to the broader diaspora.

In her work as an art instructor, she encourages students to recognize and be curious about how differences can influence and be an inspiration to their artwork. With this in mind, she creates a learning environment for students at all artistic levels to invest time and develop an appreciation for their craft as they grow into budding artists.

Anton Campbell is an animation artist and arts educator based in Northern New Jersey. Anton seeks to breathe life into drawings, following the precepts of character animators who came before him, as he continues on the path to personal mastery in the animation arts. While away from the desk he teaches at Montclair State University between both the illustration and animation programs. Through education he believes that he can help guide students to surpass themselves by guided understanding through the rigors of artmaking while nurturing their potential to reach new places creatively.