After earning a double master’s degree in Art History and Museum Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, I moved back to Auburn to take ownership of the house I grew up in – humorously coined the “Hotel-No-Tell,” for all the parties I hosted.
Post working various interesting- but none-the-less day jobs, in 2004 I followed my dream of being an interior decorator. Since that time, I have completed exciting residential and commercial projects and public art installations and dabbled in stage/set and fashion design and special event decor.
Being an interior decorator, upgrading my home is a full-time endeavor. I worked with numerous local artists to achieve a rainbow/kaleidoscope affect, with murals on walls, ceilings, archways and hallways. There are at least 20 different colors going on in there!
These unique effects caught the attention of a producer for HGTV’s Offbeat America show, and my home debuted the opening season for the show in the winter of 2007.
In the past decade, I’ve served on the steering committee for IGNITE, an organization of young professionals that organizes community events and promotes the advantages of living in Auburn/Cayuga County. I was also a founding member of the BluePrint Group, which focuses on innovative ideas for community betterment. In 2011, a BluePrint sub-committee created the Wednesday Morning Roundtable, which meets monthly to educate its members on current issues, trends and developments. I coordinate these meetings, serving as the Administrator.
In the spring of 2010, Dave Tobin and I trained with mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, in Philadelphia. When we returned, we launched the Community Mosaic Project, with generous support from the Stardust Foundation of Central New York. We have engaged hundreds of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to create public art in downtown Auburn. We have numerous projects under our belt, and more in the hopper. I continue to be inspired to make Auburn a better place to live and work, as an artist and as Assistant Director of the Downtown Auburn BID, where I’ve worked since May 2010.
Many people find it hard to believe I’ve made Auburn my home. Since moving back, I’ve become very dedicated to my community. I had a wonderful experience growing up in Auburn, and I came back to give back. I find actions speak louder than words…