Posted 3/15/2023

Hello CreativeGround friends! 

Our Creative Economy team has changed over the past few months. So, we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce ourselves. Have you ever wondered, who is behind those CreativeGround emails and site updates? Who’s that facilitating those workshops I keep hearing about?  

Read our mini blog below to learn a little more about the team members behind CreativeGround. You can also find out more and contact us on our team page on CreativeGround. 

Dee Schneidman (She, Her, Hers) 

What is your favorite thing about living in New England? 

It’s hard to pick just one, but if I had to, I’d say the architecture/unusual art spaces. I love that there’s an organic connection between farms and factories and creative expression – either spaces no longer in use that have been transformed into spaces to make and share art, or grange halls, libraries, and gazebos on town greens that fulfill multiple purposes that all bring communities together. 

Why do you want to support the creative community in our region? 

Being involved in theater as a kid and professionally was life changing. I truly believe in the power of creative expression to help us learn, grown, and fulfil our potential as humans. To me there is nothing more potent than a cultural experience to bring people closer to ourselves and each other. And I know that the arts and creativity have a vital role in making places livable and equitable, so I’m especially focused on supporting towns across the region in celebrating their cultural assets and strengthening their connected stories. 

In what setting do you feel most creative? 

On the dance floor! Which is to say, anywhere, because anything can be made into a dance floor. If the music moves me, I’m going to show it with my body. I love opportunities to get out of my head and just be in the moment of creative flow. 

What is something you'd like everyone to know about you? 

Hmmm…that I love to travel. Especially to take part in local cultural activities like festivals or performances in new places. I can't pass up an impromptu parade or ceilidh.

 

Natalya Tausanovitch (She, Her, Hers) 

What is your favorite thing about living in New England? 

Just how many diverse landscapes are packed into such a small geographic space! You could go from mountains to beaches to vibrant cities and small towns with lots of cultural history all in the same day – that's something very unique to our region. And -- born in Connecticut, raised in New Hampshire, and now living in Massachusetts, it’s always been the place I call home! 

Why do you want to support the creative community in our region? 

Growing up in New England, I was involved in theater, visual arts, and especially music as I developed my passion for playing the flute. Personally, I was deeply impacted by arts in education programs like Poetry Out Loud in New Hampshire, and also by participating in community arts as a member of my town community band for many years before continuing to play and study music in college. Through that experience I learned how active participation in and support for the arts at the local level plays a part in building community among people from different generations and walks of life, and leads to a more vibrant and connected community life. I hope CreativeGround can be a tool to support that type of community building region-wide, from the local level up!    

In what setting do you feel most creative? 

Anywhere out in nature, which luckily we have plenty of in New England! The distinct, ever-changing seasons here are so inspiring. That, or any independent bookstore – I could spend hours browsing and getting new ideas!  

What is something you'd like everyone to know about you? 

Languages have always been a big interest of mine. I love learning how the structures of different languages offer totally unique and nuanced forms of expression, and I’ve studied Russian, Spanish, Japanese, and Danish. 

 

Sharon Amuguni (She, Her, Hers) 

What is your favorite thing about living in New England? 

New England is full of hidden treasures, whether it’s hiking spots, amazing restaurants or unique art communities, there are so many wonderful surprises across the region. It’s also not a monolith, there are so lots of diverse communities and neighborhoods within each state!  

Why do you want to support the creative community in our region? 

There’s often a narrative of artwork being made in isolation, of a lone creative genius and art just becoming. And although there’s a lot of vital independent work that is required in making artwork and art programs, there’s also a network of artists, administrators, makers, cultural workers, and organizers supporting one another and building an environment where people can create, express themselves and connect.  

It takes a community of people, providing space, resources, feedback, care, time, and more. I appreciate the opportunity to play a part in that network. Especially because our region has such diverse and vibrant arts communities.  

In what setting do you feel most creative? 

One of my favorite creative settings is my local paint-your-own pottery studio. In central MA, I love Claytime. It’s often an intergenerational creative space where all sorts of people come. I like painting something I can use, like a teapot or plates. I go there with friends and love supporting a local creative business. It’s one of my favorite activities, and being there opens my creativity. At home, I feel most creative sitting at my dining table listening to WICN or a playlist and tinkering with papier mache or paper crafts. It’s part of my art practice that feels un-precious that allows me not to worry about the outcome and just experiment and have fun. 

What is something you'd like everyone to know about you? 

I love a good breakfast sandwich and baked goods! Let me know if you have a recommendation for the best breakfast sandwich or bakery in your neighborhood. I will travel far and wide for either. 

 

Connecting With the Team

We’re just three of the thousands of people that make up our diverse creative economy. We encourage everyone to learn more about who is in their creative community. Search through the filters on CreativeGround and find someone in your community (whether that’s a geographic region or community via artistic discipline) that you haven’t connected with before.    

If you want to stay connected with us, you can always email us at CreativeGround@NEFA.org, or sign up here for our office hours on Calendly.