Our TeamTeam

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: A Young People’s Art Institute, where she served as director, curriculum developer, and instructor, shaping innovative, student-centered arts programming. As co-founder and executive director of Side x Side for more than 10 years, Beth has expanded her commitment to arts-integrated education by partnering with the University of Southern Maine and public schools to support students and educators through hands-on creative learning experiences and statewide professional development opportunities. She holds a BFA in sculpture from USM.

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.

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. A graduate of theatre from The Ohio State University, she previously served on the Board of The Children’s Theatre of Maine (now on their Advisory Board), The Portland Education Foundation, and as a Trustee of First Parish Church of Portland.

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. Meghan collaborates with educators, schools, and community partners and participates in district-level and statewide arts and education initiatives that advance equity and best practices. She lives in Portland, Maine with her family and is deeply committed to our oceans and environmental stewardship.

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 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 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.