Kelly Chorpening is an artist, curator, writer and educator. She holds an MFA from Hunter College, CUNY and a BFA from Cleveland Institute of Art, and also attended Emily Carr College of Art, Vancouver. She was appointed Professor and Chair of Art, Art History and Design at UNR in 2022. Previously, she was the Course Leader for BA Fine Art: Drawing (2006-2019), and then Programme Director of Fine Art (2019-2022) at Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, UK. Her work explores drawing as a contemporary art discipline, and as a tool for thinking and communication across disciplines. Long-term collaborations have involved Architectural Association, Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music, the Gordon Museum of Pathology and the National Gallery, London. A recent curatorial project, "Drawing in Social Space," exhibited at Drawing Room London in 2023, involved artists and communities from around the UK, USA, Bolivia, Morocco, Netherlands and Ghana. She co-edited and co-authored A Companion to Contemporary Drawing, a compilation of 27 newly commissioned essays surveying global drawing practices, published by Wiley Blackwell in 2020. Her artwork will be featured in ‘Slow Draw’, an exhibition at Metro Gallery, Reno in fall 2024. 

Erik Burke is a fifth generation Nevadan creating place-specific murals throughout the world under the utilitarian, yet coy name, OU Public Works. Inspired by an upbringing in the high desert his work strives to capture light and legacy. Throughout his 20+ years of painting themes of celebration and empowerment have taken center stage by enlarging people, plants, and places to larger than life. His colorful work encourages people to explore our public spaces and aims to be a catalyst for stewardship and creativity. 

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Neoma joined the Downtown Reno Partnership as Executive Director in August of 2022. Prior to that role, voters first elected Neoma to the Reno City Council in 2012 and she served in that role, as well as a Vice Mayor position for 10 years. While on City Council, Neoma represented an area of Northwest Reno that includes the Old Northwest, University of Nevada, Somersett and Verdi neighborhoods as well as parts of downtown Reno. Neoma is putting her years of expertise to work to help improve Downtown Reno. 

Megan Berner is a visual artist and arts professional living and working in Reno, NV. Coming from a multi-disciplinary and non-traditional art background, Megan is interested in innovative ways to activate public space and create opportunities for citizens and artists to engage with the community and connect people to their environment. Her personal practice is centered around place and the psychological experience of the environment. Megan holds an MFA from the University of Iowa in Intermedia. She currently works as the Arts & Culture Manager for the City of Reno. 

Born in Reno, Nevada, Kyle Karrasch developed artistic abilities at a young age. After graduating high school Kyle left for the Academy of Art in San Francisco with hopes of becoming a professional illustrator. Not long into the academy, he discovered his passion for sculpture. Kyle left the Academy of Fine Arts in pursuit of a higher understanding of art theory. He enrolled in the Fine Arts program at the University of Nevada, Reno graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in art history. Kyle would then go on to pursue a Master of Fine Art degree which he received in 2022 from the University of Nevada, Reno. Kyle is currently working as the Galleries Curator at Truckee Meadows Community College and teaches art classes at both UNR and TMCC. He also continues his art practice in creating sculptural works that intend to provoke commentary on consumption and environmental conservation. His work has been on display all throughout the Reno and Carson city area as well as the Keck Museum.

Jackie Pias Carlin is a working artist and published author originally from Maui, Hawai`irelocating to Carson City, NV in 2015. She works in watercolors, oils, pastels, fabrics, and presently in mokuhanga-Japanese Woodblock Printing process.Her juror experiences include fine art, photography, and quilting.Carlin is a current board member of the Nevada Arts Council. ShetaughtBasic Art, Oil painting, and mokuhanga at Western Nevada College.Her individual works are included in exhibitions throughout Nevada, Hawai`i, California, and Canada. Video interviews of Carlin are on PBSReno Art Effects Season 7, episode #712, and on Youtube: “CCAI Art with Aloha” presented by Capital City Arts Initiative. It was a privilege for her to be part of the inaugural exhibition of “First Lady Presents” at the Governor’s Mansion in 2022-23 displaying her kapa clothtriptyche, “My Neighborhood: Pinion Hills, Carson River, Cottonwood” which is now in the Polynesian collection of the Nevada State Museumin Carson City

Over the past 20 years Kimiyo has held many leadership positions. Most recently, she moved to Nevada to teach Art and Ceramics at the high school level. She was on the Nevada Department of Education Curriculum planning team as well as Washoe School Districts Visual Arts Leadership Team, and The National Art Education Association School for Leaders. Kimiyo has designed curriculum and taught extensive programs for the Nevada Museum of Art, San Jose Museum of Art, The Triton Museum of Art, Campbell Union School District, and The Nevada Department of Education. She has been trained in Design Thinking Strategies at Stanford d. Studio and Visual Thinking Strategies from San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She has a passion for leading, designing curriculum and teaching.