Marcia Powers

I joined the OSP Board in Spring, 2019. I am an Evanston resident who wants to give back to
the Evanston community and am an artist. As a human resources and management
consultant, I participate in Board activities by providing recommendations regarding OSP
policy, employee relations and human resources advice, and have assisted with recruitment of
staff. I am consistently amazed at the contributions that OSP makes to our community’s
wellbeing and peaceful co-existence.

Maria Opdycke – Treasurer

I joined the OSP Board in November 2019. I am an Evanston resident and all my children have
been through the OSP program in classes or camps. As an Operations executive with 20 years of
experience growing businesses, I participate in the Finance Committee by providing both a
business-based and operationally-minded focus to the budgeting and program growth process.
Throughout my tenure on the board, there has been an explosive demand for mental health
therapies that has translated into consistent growth in the reach of OSP. It is wonderful to
watch this organization positively impact the health of our community through art.

Bridget Stump – Secretary

I’ve been involved with Open Studio since the fall of 2017.  I’m currently engaged in Non-Profit
studies at DePaul University. In earlier times, I worked in corporate risk consulting in
Washington, D.C.. Together, my husband and I have raised our family in D.C., Ohio and
Boston. While in New England I dedicated volunteer hours to the boards of our library and
local board of health. After relocating to Evanston in 2017, I became involved with Osher Life-
Long Learning at Northwestern University where I coordinate a visual arts discussion group. I’m
passionate about small group processes for creativity and connection.

Raissa Bailey

Melissa Trumball-Mitchell​

Melissa is a Non-profit consultant and the former Executive Director of the Federation for Community Schools; whose mission was to amplify the voice and abilities of community schools throughout Illinois. Melissa has experience in advocacy, policy change, coalition building, and representing community school work with legislators, policy makers, funders, and the media. Prior, she was the community school coordinator at South Loop Elementary School. She also held a clinical counseling position at Crain High School. Melissa has a Masters in Education, and is a licensed counselor. Before joining the education field, she worked in marketing and communications for high-tech companies. 

Melissa lives in Glencoe with her husband and daughter. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and DePaul University. 

Rochelle Royster

Royster has worked for the last 20 years integrating art therapy into the educational setting and has worked with youth, adolescents, and young adults with various learning differences such as autism, traumatic brain disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Using a trans-disciplinary approach, she is interested in community and school-based art therapy; race, power and policy in education; multi-sensory methods in reading and literacy; trauma-informed classrooms; environmental justice; black disability; and special education as it relates to decolonization of pedagogy and practice in institutional and public settings.

Royster’s dissertation developed as a grassroots approach to arts-based social change and addresses gun violence, death, and grief through memorials of resistance. She assisted in creating transformative art-based social justice curriculum for Cities of Peace/Jane Addams Hull House, the Teacher Institute/ Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Office of Arts and Education at CPS and has conducted workshop series for Chicago Park District teaching artists. She has also worked with sexual, domestic violence, and human trafficking survivors and Cambodian youth refugees.

In 2017, Royster completed a Ph.D. in community psychology at National Louis University in Chicago and also holds master’s degrees in special education (2000) from Virginia State University and art therapy (2002) from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as a B.F.A. in studio arts (1998) from Virginia State University. Royster serves on the steering committee of Psychologists for Social Responsibility and is a board director for the American Art Therapy Association.

Rochele offers supervision to our Chicago Public School Teaching Artists & Art Therapists and serves on the Program Committee

Shawn Jones

Shawn Jones practices law in downtown Evanston as a small business and real estate attorney. Hanging out his shingle in 2011, he previously worked for a small firm in Atlanta after obtaining his law degree from Georgia State University’s night school. He covered Evanston City Council for the Evanston Roundtable from 2010 through 2020, sometimes under the pen name alias “Dirk Cumulo”. Previous jobs include dishwasher, construction worker, door to door solicitor, JC Penney janitor, bookstore section manager, and US Department of Labor writer-editor.

Rebecca Wu

Emma Zbiral-Teller

Emma received her bachelor of arts degree from Hampshire College with an emphasis in film studies and video production and is currently a second year graduate student in art therapy at Adler University. She uses strength-based, community oriented and mindfulness techniques and activities that foster growth, healing and creative intuition. Instagram @easytea, Website www.emmazt.com

Joselyn Arana

As an art therapist and practicing artist, Joselyn is passionate about using artistic self-expression and art-based interventions to promote healing, relaxation, and recovery. Joselyn integrates various art techniques, psychoeducation, mindfulness, trauma awareness, and culturally informed methods into her therapeutic approach to help clients navigate their own path of healing as well as finding a balance between the collective and the individual.

Rhie Baker-Cruz

Since 2008 Rhie has been teaching and providing therapeutic services to Chicagoland populations including older adults with dementia and underserved youth and adults with chronic mental illness. At heart he is both an artist and a teacher who loves to paint, draw, model and act. Rhie has a Master’s degree in Art Therapy (MAAT-ATR) and is a certified E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) Instructor. 

Erik Engle

Erik Engel is the senior School Social Worker in DuPage High School District 88, where he is also the Willowbrook High School Social-Emotional Learning Instructional Coach.  Erik holds masters degrees in Art Therapy, School Social Work, and Educational Leadership, and holds a License in Clinical Social Work which he uses in private practice to counsel first responder clients. As a military veteran himself, Erik speaks at Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events supporting the mental health of military deployers and their families.

Jan Ellenstein

Jan is the lead Children’s Teaching Artist at Open Studio Project and has been teaching children for over 30 years.  She designed the content of the lessons in the social-emotional learning art curriculum and leads our SEL training program.  She is known to be a dynamic, inspirational, and highly experienced educator with a wide range of developmental ages and abilities.  Jan has worked throughout the Evanston school district and with numerous youth service agencies.  She formerly taught at a children’s museum in Los Angeles. 

Patti Vick

Patti Vick earned a BA in Anthropology from The Colorado College and an MFA in Visual Communication from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After several years of working as a graphic designer, she rediscovered the joys of expressive art making through Open Studio Project (OSP) . Patti facilitates Art & Wellness classes at OSP and leads the facilitator training program. “The Open Studio Process allows me to use art making for self-care, meditation, and guidance.”  In addition, Patti is trained in mindfulness practices.

Eli Bell

Eli Bell is a Chicago based artist with a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Eli’s children’s book, “Rooster’s Adventure” is currently available on Amazon.com.

Eli is also a teacher and director at Piven Theatre Workshop, an AOBTA certified Shiatsu Practitioner, RMT, a dance instructor, and a facilitator at Open Studio Project. Through each modality, Eli uses the arts and the body as a means to empower people to facilitate their own growth and healing. Specialties: Editorial and Children’s Book Illustration, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Theater Instruction, Shiatsu Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, and Ballroom Dance Instruction

Eli facilitates process-oriented art workshops utilizing intention, art-making, and writing as a means to access one’s inner wisdom. Eli also trains others to facilitate the OSP process and adapt it to their own needs and the needs of their community. 

Bryana Bibbs

Bryana Bibbs is a Chicago-based textile artist, painter, and art educator who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Fiber and Material Studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work comes from her personal life, struggles with daily occurrences, the ultimate strive for comfort, and trying to figure out life one step at a time. She is the founder of the “We Were Never Alone Project – A Weaving Workshop for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence” and is a 2021 – 2022 Chicago Artist Coalition HATCH Residency Artist. Bryana’s work has been on view at the Evanston Art Center, ARC Gallery, and the Bridgeport Art Center.

Website: bryanabibbs.com

Blog: thewewereneveraloneproject.org

Instagram: @thewewereneveraloneproject

Saralina Kamholtz

Saralina is a professional writer and on the faculty of the English department at Columbia College. As a writer with years of teaching, consulting, and facilitating, Saralina has found that building a personal writing practice is fundamental to personal, cognitive, and creative development.  Through a compassionate practice, the journal is a powerful tool of self-awareness, peace of mind, and internal resourcefulness.  Saralina facilitates adult Art & Wellness classes and provides professional development for OSP. 

Saralinakamholtz.com

Hannah Levine-Drizin

Hannah is an artist and illustrator.  She is a recent graduate of University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art and Design and is in the graduate program  at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to receive a MAT (Masters in Teaching) so that I can learn to teach art!  She makes playful, colorful, and fun illustrations. She also makes a lot of work about mental health (specifically OCD) which she often represents through a repetitive process (which can be seen in her more sculptural work). You can find her on Instagram @hannahldart and on Twitter under the same username!  Instagram: @hannahldart

Suzette Payne

Suzette Payne, is a Faculty member of the Process Work Institute in Portland, OR. She has a private practice in Portland with a focus on personal growth, trauma, addictions, dreaming, creativity, empowerment and relationship issues. She has a passion for Worldwork, and is a member of the Worldwork Committee for IAPOP. Suzette has been involved with Open Studio Project, since the 90’s, serving as Board Chair and a facilitator of Art & Wellness and professional development programs.  She is passionate about community healing, nature, play, art process, Worldwork and a co-creative unfolding of our deepest dreaming together.

Emma Zbiral-Teller

Emma received her bachelor of arts degree from Hampshire College with an emphasis in film studies and video production and is currently a second year graduate student in art therapy at Adler University. She uses strength-based, community oriented and mindfulness techniques and activities that foster growth, healing and creative intuition.

Instagram @easytea, Website www.emmazt.com

Sarah Laing

Art Therapist (ATR) & Executive Director of Open Studio Project, Inc. an arts & social service organization in Evanston, IL. The mission is to teach art for personal growth and social-emotional intelligence.  Sarah contributes as an administrator, trainer/facilitator, and works with a diverse range of populations that interface with the studio. She is working on the expansion of SEL Art programs for PreK-8th and High School in Chicagoland schools.  Sarah served on the boards of Young Evanston Artists (YEA!), Foundation 65, and Chicago Public Art Group.  Sarah has an MA in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a BS in Studio Art from Skidmore College, NY, and in public art from the Chelsea College of Art, London.

Rob Lentz – Program Director

Rob has an extensive background in community art studios, exhibits, and non-profit management.  He is an artist, administrator, and curator; a true visionary for artists with disabilities and mental health challenges.  He is the former Executive Director & Program Director of Project Onward in Chicago, as well as head of visual arts for Gallery 37, the City of Chicago art program for teens. He has managed safe and supportive studio environments for over 20 years leading teams of teaching artists, administrators, as well as art therapists and students.  Rob worked closely with the Art Therapy department at SAIC under the supervision of Randy Vick the former department chair.  He has written, lectured, and curated extensively about the disability arts movement. Rob serves on the Board of Director at the Intuit Gallery.

Phillip Hall

Phillip oversees the financials at Open Studio Project and serves on the leadership committee. His professional experience works with non-profit organizations ready to work on financial sustainability and growth. He works collaboratively to develop realistic budgets and to reorganize workflows to ease the way to defined outcomes. For over twenty years, he has helped organizations operate smoothly with funders, bankers, and partner agencies.Phillip has served as the CFO at Trilogy, Esperanza, and for the Chicago Park District.  He has an MBA from Harvard and a BA from University of Chicago.

Sue Laue

Consultant and Trainer for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum and practices development, K-12, and a past consultant for the Collaborative for Academic & Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL) in Chicago.  Trained and coached principals, teachers and staff at over 30 Chicago and suburban schools to facilitate SEL culture change through strategic planning and curriculum alignment with the Illinois SEL goals and standards.  SEL curriculum designer for: Lions Quest, Skills for Action, Gr 9-12; Open Studio Project Inc., SEL and Art/Art Therapy Curriculum, PreK-8; Columbia College Chicago, Links: SEL and Journalism Curriculum, Gr 9-12.

Jill Tolentino

Jill is the accountant and bookkeeper at OSP who has been instrumental in managing our growth throughout the pandemic.  She has experience as a virtual administrator/bookkeeper in support of multiple clients ranging from various business sectors including retail, restaurant, nonprofit, real estate, medical professionals and law firms in the greater Chicago and Evanston areas.

Elena Kaiser, LCPC ATR BC

For more than three decades I’ve created a warm and inviting setting to help children, adolescents,  adults and families tackle a range of issues. Using a combination of traditional and progressive therapies, I work closely with my clients to restore a true sense of healing and balance.

My goal goes beyond helping my clients to regain confidence through therapy by showing them how they can access their own inner resources — a powerful tool for life.

And since no two people are alike, I draw on a range of integrative techniques, from art and play therapy, sand-tray art therapy, to mindfulness, EMDR, and brain science.

Maira Egan

Maira joined the OSP community as an Art Therapy Intern and is a recent graduate of the Adler University’s Master of Arts in Counseling: Art Therapy program. Maira has been engaging in the OSP process since she was an undergrad at the School of the Art Institute in Cal Calvird’s class. She is also a talented ceramicist and painter. The skill and empathy she brings to her work will allow us to better serve the needs of our participants and community.

Jenny Palsgrove

Jenny has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has a Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University and a bachelors in Psychology from Grinell. Jenny has worked in the education department at the Chicago Children’s Museum and in development for local non-profits. She has a passion for the arts, education and mental health.