Board of Directors
Officers of Salem Arts Association Board
President 2021 - 2023 Third one-year Term Vice President: 2019 - 2020 Board Member since 2018 | President of the Board: Heather Meri Stewart Visual artist, writer, and sometime bass player Assistant to the Executive Dean at John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University. Nationally exhibiting artist with extensive experience in non-profit leadership. Heather Meri Stewart is a visual artist, writer and sometime bass player living in coastal New England. Heather's artwork has appeared in solo and group exhibits throughout the United States, including exhibits at the National Arts Club, the Colby College Art Museum, the Bunting Institute at Harvard University, and the Boston Center for the Arts. She has acted as a juror, curator or critic for exhibits at Harvard University, Arsenal Center for the Arts, Wentworth Institute, Bromfield Gallery/WCA Exhibit and Salem Arts Association. She holds certification as a Massachusetts art teacher and has taught at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a camp for seriously ill children, the Boston Architectural Center and Girls Rock Campaign Boston. Heather holds a Masters of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Studio Arts and Film Studies from Harvard University. She also holds a BFA in Painting and a BA in Archaeological Studies from Boston University, and has studied extensively at the Boston Museum School and the Boston Architectural College. Although she focuses on realist painting, Heather works in a variety of mediums; her portfolio includes abstract painting, drawing, illustration and sculpture. In all her work she complements her rigorous technical training with her imaginative interpretation of the visual world as she explores the possibilities of creative expression. |
| Vice President: Vacant If you are interested in a leadership role at Salem Arts Association Please contact President@SalemArts.org Duties include:
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Treasurer: Meagan Jackson Meagan Jackson is a senior accounting professional and the owner of M. Jackson Accounting & Bookkeeping in the greater Boston area. She draws on 20 years of experience providing expert planning, internal audit controls, bookkeeping, and QuickBooks implementation services to clients across diverse industries, including the financial services, data warehousing, real estate investment, and skilled trade sectors. Before founding her company, Meagan spent nearly two decades driving strategies, initiatives and processes that generated dynamic gains in financial performance and operational efficiencies for start-ups and mid-size private companies. One notable highlight is her consultancy at a private biofuel company, where she made it possible for the company to go through due diligence and sale in just one weekend. Meagan earned her Master of Science degree in Accounting from Northeastern University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Worcester State University, and an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Massachusetts Bay Community College. She is a Certified Desktop and Online QuickBooks ProAdvisor. An active member of Corridor Nine/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce, Meagan also teaches classes at the Center for Women & Enterprise and Keefe At Night, Continuing Education at Keefe Regional Technical School. When she is not working, you can find Meagan at karaoke with friends or volunteering her time to such organizations as Girls Rock Campaign Boston. |
| Secretary: Vacant If you are interested in a leadership role at Salem Arts Association Please contact President@SalemArts.org Duties include:
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Salem Arts Association Board of Directors
Salem Arts is seeking board members and committee persons who are energetic and qualified to help us guide the association in to the future.
Contact president@salemarts.org with referrals.
Past President, Emeritus President 2017-2020 Board member since 2014 Fourth two-year term on board Three one-year terms as president | James Bostick Photographer, User Experience Designer and Researcher, Arts Administrator James Bostick is an active Salem artist with a focus on fine art photography. In his Gallows Hill studio Bostick creates images ranging from Infrared photographs inspired by historic landmarks to his theatrical “Salem Arcanum Tarot” project featuring Salem locals portraying the theme of the tarot cards. Other themes have included still life, studio figure photography, and experimental photo techniques. Images by James Bostick have been exhibited globally and are included in many prestigious private and public collections. Bostick’s professional career spans more that 30-years leading cutting edge design projects involving user-centric practices to deliver communication strategies, state of the art software, and interactive experiences for Fortune 500 companies including Carrier Corp, United Technologies, Dell, EMC, and Gateway Computers. |
Board Member since 2019 Second two-year term | Timothy Brown Director of Innovation and Strategy, Northeast ARC. Tim’s passion has always been assisting people to succeed. Currently, Tim is the Director of Innovation and Strategy at the Northeast Arc, where he is part of a dynamic team that helps positively change the lives of 20,000 people with disabilities. Tim’s tenure at the Northeast Arc spans over 28 years. Recent projects include the development of ArcWorks Community Art Center, Breaking Grounds Café and Peabody’s Black Box. Tim developed and implements the annual Arc Tank, an international social innovation challenge that has awarded over $650,000. Tim also serves on the Executive Committee for the Peabody Cultural Collaborative, Peabody Main Streets Promotions Committee, Tillie’s Farm Education Committee, MA Innovative Task Force and the Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment. Tim is on the Advisory Board for the Creative Collective, Behind You, Salem, Center for Public Representation’s Supported Decision Making Advisory Council and CuriousCity Pop-Up Children’s Museum. Tim also participates in six local and regional Chambers of Commerce and the New England Council. Tim frequently presents in regional, state and national conferences on topics including system change, collaboration and partnerships. An innovator and change leader, Tim has judged social innovation challenges for MassChallenge, the Social Innovation Forum and EforAll. Tim accredits his success to a critical and analytical thought process, developing strong collaborations and partnerships and always willing to roll up his sleeve and be a part of the solution. |
Board Member since 2023 First two-year term | Ricky Corbett Ricky Corbett is an award-winning artist and the President, Treasurer, and Membership Chair for Reading Art Association, the Treasurer and Membership chair for Arts Reading, which is a cultural organization that acts as an umbrella group to all cultural organizations from The Reading Symphony Orchestra to Creative Arts in Reading, and every organization in between. A native of North Reading, Mr. Corbett is a completely self-taught pencil artist/portraitist with experience in teaching. “I spend hours upon hours perfecting my technique. I consider myself a lifelong student of art. I work to develop patience as I work toward my goal of achieving realism. I am inspired not only by other artists but from life itself. I am inspired by people, textures, smells, sounds, all my senses seem to come alive when I draw. My drawings take me on an artistic journey of self- discovery.” Mr. Corbett brings his acumen managing non-profit arts organizations and his perspective as a practicing artist to Salem Arts Association. |
Board Member since 2023 First two-year term | Evan Dooley Evan Dooley is the consultant, paralegal, manager, and creative visionary who serves as Founder and Principal at Dooley Paralegal & Consulting. For almost 20 years he has served as a consultant for businesses, law firms, attorneys, creative individuals, and talent – bringing his broad experience for the strategic direction and execution of business, legal and creative projects. In addition to his legal expertise he has been at the forefront of political campaign management as well as at the inception of innovative products and services – most recently being a partner developing an IoT device. Prior to founding DPC he worked in marketing for Sony Music Entertainment and in public relations and local/national marketing for one of the world’s top promoters and live entertainment corporations. He later became that corporation’s National Venue Sales Coordinator, assisting in venue sponsorships and co-branding efforts for over 100 live entertainment venues nationwide. Today, he continues to consult with businesses and creative individuals on general business, talent management, strategy, marketing, and development and his personal business designing lifestyle clothing and home decor. |
Board Member since 2023 First two-year term | Joseph A. Ferrari, Esq. Joseph A. Ferrari, Esq. – is the Contracts Manager / Deal Manager for Oracle America, Inc and serves on the Board of Directors for Salem Film Fest. He completed his undergraduate degree in Film/Radio/TV and Political Science from University of Wisconsin Madison. He holds a degree in law (Juris Doctorate) from New Hampshire School of Law and is admitted to the bar in Maryland and Illinois. In addition to his experience in negotiaton and contract management Mr. Ferrari has extensive experience working in the legal and political fields. He also brings extensive experience in sponsorship, grants writing and non-profit management from his work with the Salem Film Fest. |
Board Member 2019 - 2023 Second two-year term | Nathan Lewis Nathan Lewis is a nationally exhibiting fine artist, curator, instructor, and lecturer. He received his BFA in studio art from the University of Texas–Austin and his MFA in Visual Studies–Photography from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His personal work deals with the paranormal and uses the uniqueness of photographic processes to allude to the otherworldly. Nathan Lewis is currently a User Experience Designer with Greenway Health, and has held positions as Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs, Montserrat College of Art, and Director of Exhibitions and Programs at the Satanic Temple and Salem Art Gallery. |
Board Member 2019 - 2023 Second two-year term | Gretchen Sinnett Gretchen Sinnett is an Associate Professor of Art History and Chair of the Art + Design department at Salem State University. Her courses explore how art and visual culture both reflect and help shape the societies from which they emerge. She believes that close looking and visual analysis benefit students in all disciplines and especially enjoys teaching courses that draw students from across the university. For many years her American art students have conducted a civic engagement research project with the Danvers Historical Society, providing hands-on experience with art and material culture. Her scholarship focuses on representations of girlhood and adolescence in 19th-century American art. She lives in Melrose with her husband, two Siamese cats, and her son when he is home from college. |
First Two-Year Term - 2023 (Student Board Appointee) | Erin Survilas Erin Survilas is an award-winning artist and student at Monserrat College of Art. A beloved member of the community Ms. Survilas joined Salem Arts Association when still in high school. She is familiar with both the organization and the needs of younger artists. Although grounded in classical painting traditions her art work looks to the future and expresses her unique point of view. Ms. Survilas acts as a liaison between the Board of Directors and student artists. |
Board Member since 2022 Exhibitions Chairperson 2022 Member since 2021 | Dr. Mary Frances (Franny) Zawadzki Dr. Franny Zawadzki holds a Master’s Degree in 19th century European Art from Hunter College, CUNY and a Ph.D. in 19th century American Art from The Graduate Center, CUNY. She specializes in the history of illustration and the printed image, printing technology, and 19th century art and aesthetic education. She taught art history at various universities, including Montserrat College of Art, Parsons School of Design, Hunter College, Seton Hall, and Texas A&M. She is currently teaching at Salem State University and is an Instructional Designer for their Center for Teaching Innovation. |
CommitteesSalem Arts in entirely operated by volunteers. If you are interested in helping please contact any committee chairperson listed below to see who you can participate. |
Operations Committee
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Finance Committee
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Development Committee
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Exhibit Committee
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Retail Committee
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Events Committee
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events@salemarts.org
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PR Committee
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Membership Committee
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Education Committee
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Technology Committee
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Facilities Manager
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