DIANA BAUMBACH

Originally from Oak Park, IL (USA), Diana Baumbach earned her BFA from Washington University in St. Louis (2003) and her MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2007). She has had recent solo exhibitions at the University of South Carolina, Colorado State University, Jackson Center for the Arts and Washington State University. Diana has undertaken public art projects in the US and the Netherlands, mainly geared towards young audiences. She received two Visual Art Fellowships from the Wyoming Arts Council (2015, 2021) after receiving Honorable Mention three times (2011, 2013 and 2014). Diana is currently an Associate Professor and Foundations Coordinator at the University of Wyoming where she has worked for the past fourteen years.

dianabaumbach.com

ALLEN CLARK 

Allen did his graduate work at The University of Texas, Austin way too long ago, where he studied Theatrical Design under Dr. David Nancarrow.  He has worked in Film, Television, and live Theater for 25+ years, designing for The Santa Fe Opera, Minnesota Repertory Theater, and numerous independent venues and dance companies, including SoleVita Dance Co., RhetOracle Dance Co., Terry Best, Kitty McNamee, Reflections Dance Co., and Axis Dance.  He has been the Resident Lighting Designer for the Los Angeles Youth Ballet and the Los Angeles Ballet Academy since 2006.  When pried out of the theatre, he enjoys spending time with his family, scuba diving, and riding a bicycle for long hours.

http://www.allenclarkdesigns.com

MAREA CORDERO

Marea Cordero is a constantly-adapting visual artist. Her work spans various mediums and fields: print, wearable art, paper cut-out works, window display/art installation, and prop/costume/puppet construction for television and theater.

Marea was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, earning her BFA from the University of Kansas. Her major was Printmaking, though much of her time and focus was also spent directing, writing, designing, and costuming for theatrical productions. While at K.U., she studied abroad in Staffordshire, England, learning ceramic printmaking techniques in the historical Potteries District. Upon graduating, Marea moved to New York City and was employed as a printmaking assistant for commercial art production works for Alex Katz, the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and more. She found the work very exacting; in time, she found a new passion in the world of Window Display. From 2004 to 2009, she held the title of Visual Director for Housing Works Thrift Shops. Since 2004, she has designed and fabricated costumes for various theatrical and event productions, incorporating unusual materials such as plastic, paper, and foam. Marea created “UseRefuse,” an art and fashion line of items produced from upcycled plastic. In 2010, her line of bags created using this process were featured “KIOSK” at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN. In 2019, her "UseRefuse"-based art installation piece “Dystopian Quilt” was on display at Space 900 in Evanston, Illinois. Marea continues to create paper cut-out work, recently adding puppet building to her resume. Over the past two years, she has had a hand in creating puppets and props for The Jim Henson Company, as well as for the primetime ABC sitcom, "Life in Pieces," and the PBS Kids preschool television series, "Donkey Hodie," produced by Pittsburgh-based Fred Rogers Productions and Highland Park, IL-based Spiffy Pictures.

“There is a sense of transformation in the process of making. I make work and then try to understand its meaning. I follow my instincts and use the process of art to unpack my unconscious and subconscious ideas. I believe in the power of symbols in dreams and the healing nature of art. My aim is to find connection by tapping into universal truths.” Click here to see more of Marea’s work.

BARBARA RAIN

Barbara Rain earned a BA at Stanford University and an MA from the Eastman School of Music. She received her fashion education from Otis Evening College. Ms.Rain has been a public school educator since 1984.  Ms. Rain is now in her eighth year teaching Apparel Construction at Santa Monica College. She is also the Costume Designer and Coordinator for SMC’s Synapse Dance Theater. In the spring of 2012, the graduating international students named her as one of the college’s Outstanding Instructors.

CHRISTOPHER PAYNE

Christopher Payne is a multi-faceted drummer and percussionist who fuses ethnic hand percussion, classical batterie and drum set repertoire. He has toured extensively, performing at prestigious concert halls and festivals worldwide. Christopher has toured with DeVotchka, the ska-punk band Streetlight Manifesto, performed with jazz luminaries Charlie Haden, Bob Sheppard, Joe LaBarbara, Larry Koonse, Derek Oles, and Slide Hampton, as well as Palestinian Pop star and 2013 Arab Idol winner, Mohammad Assaf. Christopher was selected by rock legend Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins) to perform his Symphonic Jazz world premier. Christopher is an active free-lance musician performing and recording drums and percussion for independent films, commercials, jazz ensembles, various bands, and singer-songwriters.