Our TeamTeam

Beth Wilbur Van Mierlo is an artist and an educator. She has dedicated her professional and adult life to promoting the importance of art and education. Beth has had the opportunity to work with a variety of community organizations facilitating insightful and productive connections through the arts. Over a decade ago, Beth founded Oak Street Studios, A Young People’s Art Institute, where she serves as director, curriculum developer, and instructor. In the spring of 2013, she co-founded Side x Side. Beth holds a BFA in sculpture and drawing from the University of Southern Maine. She lives with her husband and three children in Portland.

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 from the Midwest, where she worked in public and Native American BIA schools, assisting K–12 teachers as they work to integrate the visual arts and Native cultures across curricula.

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 Education for the town of Scarborough. In addition, she has taught students of all ages over the years and volunteered in the schools. During her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time with her husband and three children and finding a few hours to hike the trails.

A theater artist and educator for over two decades, Mandy’s work has always centered around deepening creative exploration and inspiring community. From 2006–2021 she served as Executive Artistic Director of Celebration Barn, Maine’s school for physical theater. Prior to that, she worked with hundreds of students across the state through the Maine Alliance of Arts Education’s Building Community Through the Arts Program. (more…)

Meghan is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who enjoys working with a wide range of ages and abilities. She has always been curious about resilience and adaptability in education and how the arts can make learning accessible to everyone. Meghan holds masters degrees in Counseling/Art Therapy and Fine Arts. She is an avid learner and is certified in arts integration. She continues to expand her skills and enjoys learning collaboratively. (more…)

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 various roles including senior web designer, creative consultant, and copy editor. She holds a BFA in painting from Boston University.

Joel is a lifelong Mainer who has lived in Portland for 26 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 for the past few years and she is delighted to be able to combine her love for the medium with her work for Side x Side. (more…)