Beth is an artist and educator who has dedicated her professional life to advancing the role of the arts in education and community well-being. She believes deeply in the power of creative practice to foster connection, curiosity, and meaningful learning experiences for people of all ages. Almost 30 years ago, she founded Oak Street Studios:
Kelly Hrenko, Ph.D., Director of Professional Development & Program Dissemination
Professor of Art Education at University of Southern Maine, Dr. Hrenko’s current scholarship is within the field of integrated arts and multimodal creative literacies. She uses her position as a teacher educator in the visual arts as a place where several intersections occur; between art and culture, community and school; and interdisciplinary education. She comes
Mary Starr, Finance and Operations Manager
Mary has a BA from Wellesley College and Masters of Education from the University of New Hampshire. She has worked in policy and program development, volunteer management and human resources, and as an Operations and Finance Manager. Mary has been involved in education for much of her career and has served on the Board of
Linda Shary, Development Manager
Linda has been involved in non-profits and philanthropy for over twenty years. She has worked in Development for UNE, Maine Audubon, SPACE Gallery, ChIME, and Preble Street. With a love of the arts and of promoting children’s education, she has performed and directed for both kids and adults in films, storytelling, theatre, and reader’s theatre.
Meghan Scribner, Arts Integration Specialist & Program Manager
Meghan is is an interdisciplinary teaching artist and educator with extensive experience working with learners of all ages and abilities. She holds master’s degrees in Counseling/Art Therapy and Fine Arts and is a certified arts integration specialist. Her work focuses on resilience, accessibility, and inclusion, using the arts to support meaningful learning and social-emotional growth.
Perryn Anable Ferris, Director of Communications and Design
Perryn has been an artist and freelance web and graphic designer for over two decades and has a background in software design and development. Since moving to Portland in 2002, she has co-founded an online magazine, MainelyKids.com, and has worked with many of Maine’s leading nonprofits and government organizations while working for Shoestring Agency in
Joel Ellis Brown, Photographer
Joel is a lifelong Mainer who has lived in Portland for more than 25 years. She received her BA in art from the University of Southern Maine and has worked as an artist and in other self-employed ventures as a landscape gardener, baker, and seat weaver ever since. Photography has been her main creative outlet