Contact First Person Arts:
1 S. Broad St., 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Information line: 267.402.2056
info@firstpersonarts.org
History:
First Person Arts was founded in 2000 as Blue Sky by Vicki Solot, in response to the burgeoning interest in memoir and documentary art forms. Solot appreciated the resonance of real stories and recognized their value as a means of bridging cultural ethnic divides. With the involvement of a visionary board, First Person Arts set out to support the development of new memoir and documentary work and to create opportunities for it to be seen and appreciated by many. In just four years, First Person Arts has showcased the work of more than 100 artists nationwide; We have reached across cultures and communities to attract a broad and diverse audience; and have played an important role in exploring and celebrating the richness of the mixed heritage and shared history of everyday Americans.
Our Mission:
First Person Arts transforms the drama of real life into documentary art to foster appreciation for our unique and shared experience.
Our Board:
Vicki Solot, President
Founder and President of First Person Arts (formerly “Blue Sky”) and a long-time member of the Philadelphia arts scene. Prior to FPA, Solot ran Collaborations, Inc., a marketing and public relations firm that handled art and cultural programs promoting the work of socially responsible groups and activities.
Vanessa Christman, Vice President
Program Coordinator in the Office of Intercultural Affairs at Bryn Mawr College. A writer, actor, and former English teacher at the Agnes Irwin School, she is the associate producer of the independent film
Scumbling. Adam Travia, Secretary
Director of Marketing & Communications for the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival. Former Marketing Director for the Philadelphia City Paper and partner in HewittTravia & Associates, a New Jersey based PR firm. Previously served as publicist for Borders Books & Music. Serves on the Board of Directors for Phashion Phest and Flashpoint Theatre Company.
Kristina M. Parker, Acting Treasurer
Kristina is a senior audit manager with KPMG LLP with over 13 years of public accounting experience and currently serves clients in the Asset Management Practice of KPMG's Philadelphia offices. She is a graduate of Villanova University with a B.S. in Accountancy and is a certified public accountant.
Sara CastilloEmployee Communications Specialist for Comcast Cable, and former First Person Arts Communications and Membership Coordinator. Curated several multi-media arts exhibits as the co- proprietor of the Schuylkill River School. Artist Relations Coordinator for art4business, working with large scale arts acquisition projects for major international corporations. Degree in Art History from Tufts University.
Kathy GoslinerConsultant and former Vice President of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Former press secretary to Mayor Bill Green and former Director of Communication at Temple University.
Susan G. Lowe, Treasurer (on sabbatical)
Senior audit manager with KPMG LLP, big four public accounting firm. Member of KPMG’s network of women involved in recruiting and mentoring students and staff. Graduate of Pennsylania State University. Recent graduate of the Arts & Business Council’s Business on Board Program. Treasurer, choir member and member of Emilie United Methodist Church.
Eileen Anita MijlinEileen is a veteran marketing professional, having worked for 25 years in the financial services industry. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Temple University where she teaches Spanish in the undergraduate program.
Stephen C. Red Steve has spent the last 20 years in the ad business, 12 of those as proud owner of an ad agency called Red Tettemer. He's an art director who writes and a creative director who has finally learned to creatively direct, instead of just doing it himself. Over the years, Steve has had a blast building and nurturing a bunch of brands from CNN to Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey. He believes people are smart and the only real martini is made with gin. And some day, he'll settle down and start painting again, which is what his Dad says he should have done all along.
Priscilla RosenwaldPrincipal of Leadership Recruiters, an executive search firm providing recruiting and leadership development for nonprofit and service organizations. She has served as a consultant and adjunct faculty member for Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She also serves on several professional and civic boards, and is currently chair of Miro Dance Theatre. She holds a Master's from Hunter College with a concentration in Group & Organizational Development.
Our Staff:
Dan Gasiewski, Development and Operations Manager
Co-founder and Executive Director of Philadelphia's Puppet Uprising; Co-founder and co-director of the Morris Park Restoration Association, a nonprofit organization restoring Philadelphia's 147-acre Morris Park natural woodland area; Former Promotions Manager for public television station WYBE-TV, Philadelphia.
267/402-2056
dang@firstpersonarts.org
Andrew Schwalm, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Former graduate student in Linguistic Anthropology, documentary filmmaker, director of communications for the Friends of Malcolm X Memorial Park and founder of the Malcolm X Park blog.
267/402-2057
aschwalm@firstpersonarts.org
Megan Wendell
215.242.6393
Canary Promotion + Design
megan@canarypromo.com