Professional Experience
SAIRA Creative; Principal Consultant + Lead Artist
Sept 2022 – Current
Lead artist at SAIRA Creative Arts and Principal at SAIRA Creative Consulting. Bi-coastal artist and consulting firm with a decade of experience in placemaking, community engagement and creative facilitation.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Community Development Officer
Oct 2019 – April 2023
Managed neighborhood planning programs, commercial corridor programming, creative placekeeping initatives, and grantmaking and administration in support of small business.
Hillsboro Downtown Partnership; Executive Director
Sept 2015 – Oct 2017
Directed the 501c3 non-profit organization focused on downtown revitalization and historic preservation in Hillsboro, Oregon.
La Grande Main Street Downtown; Executive Director
Oct 2013 – Aug 2015
Directed the 501c3 non-profit organization focused on downtown revitalization and historic preservation in La Grande, Oregon using the Main Street 4 point approach.
Professional Art Experience
AKG x Stitch Buffalo Community Mural
2024-2025
Working with the Buffalo AKG, this project aims to bring awareness to Stitch Buffalo, a nonprofit organization that supports refugee and immigrant women through textile arts. The mural design was informed by community members through a series of workshops, and is painted on polytab, allowing for community to engage in the actual painting process.
NFFT Redevelopment Project & Community Mural
2022 – 2024
Obtained County funding and managed historic building improvements. Hosted community workshops to inform a community mural. Organized community paint day after building improvements were completed. Renovations included ground mural, signage, new paint, lights, and renovation of historic door.
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Muralist
October 2023
Hertel Alley Muralist
June 2023
The Peace Dots Project
July 2021 – 2023
NYSCA funded community-based mapping project. Maps intangible moments of peace and random acts of kindness via an intake survey. Community driven ‘data’ will be visually represented in a baby of work currently being produced. www.peacedotsproject.com
Saira Studios; Business Owner
March 2019 – Current
Brick and Mortar Art Studio in Buffalo, NY
Leadership
Buffalo is Creative; Board Member
Current
NFTA DL&W Train Station; Public Art Jury
Current
Albright Knox; Northland Advisory Committee Member
2020-2023
Buffalo Arts Studio; Board Member
2020-2023
Rhode Island Council on the Arts; American Rescue Plan Act Jury
2022
Cultural Coalition of Washington County (Oregon); Board Member
2016-2017
Union County Transportation Advisory Council (Oregon); Council Member
2014-2015
Education
Buffalo State University; M.S. Multidisciplinary Studies
Class of 2023
Certificate in Creativity & Change Leadership
Coursework in UB’s Master of Fine Arts Department & Buffalo State’s Creative Studies Department
Portland State University; Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit & Public Management
2016-2017
University at Buffalo; B.A. Environmental Design
Class of 2013
Minors in Studio Art and English
