Meet the Creative Arts Team

Hattie Larlham is proud of the work done by the Creative Arts team. These professional artists and director have worked together for more than two years to bring the program to the level it is today. The team is constantly looking at new ways to reach out to artists, to help them to express themselves and to display and exhibit the work in the community.

Phylliss Steiner

Director of Creative Arts/Media Productions

Phylliss Steiner has been with Hattie Larlham since 2000. Her original position with Hattie Larlham was the Director of Training and Development/Media productions. Prior to her employment at Hattie Larlham, she was the director of staff development/special projects for the County of Summit Board of Developmental Disabilities for 18 years.

Phylliss has a degree in early intervention from the University of Akron in 1975, with additional course work in business and media management. She has long been a strong advocate for people with disabilities; chairing or co-chairing more than 50 events promoting the successes of people with disabilities.

As director, Phylliss is responsible for all aspects of the program including staffing, painter assessments, organization, exhibits, marketing and promotion of Creative Arts. Since the program’s inception in 2007, Phylliss has grown Creative Arts from six to more than 85 artists working in paint, photography, pottery and poetry.

Phylliss has been a guest presenter at the Ohio PAR Association, International Facilitators Convention and the National Quality Improvement Convention. She developed and implemented the Summit Training Collaborative in Summit County, which was used throughout the State of Ohio as a template for the orientation of direct care providers in the field of disabilities. Phylliss has certifications in Microsoft Office User Specialist, International Facilitator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Painter X.

Ericka Abram

Studio Coordinator/Exhibition Officer

Ericka Abram has been with Hattie Larlham since 2006, where she started as a volunteer specialist. Abram opened and managed the Constant Companions in Twinsburg, Ohio, before returning to the volunteer specialist position. Her love of art was sealed by a stained glass class at her high school in Beverly Hills, California, where she hosted a television program for KBEV. A graduate of Spelman College, Abram worked as the director of public relations and marketing for a museum in Georgia and was an on-air personality for a Clear Channel urban radio station prior to moving to Ohio in 2003. A member of several arts advocacy boards, Abram has served as guest curator for the McClain Gallery at the University of Akron and ArtSpace for Summit County. She enjoys swimming, film and cutting glass.

Maria Golden

Creative Arts Tracker, Photography

Maria Golden received her bachelor’s of fine and applied art from the University of Akron. While in college, Maria worked at the Battered Women’s Shelter, which fostered a commitment to assist others and a desire to use her talents as an artist to do so. Maria implemented and facilitated Art Expression Workshops for Rape Survivors at the YWCA, works with at-risk youth in the Weed and Seed program to create neighborhood murals, facilitated Exploring Faith Through Art workshops and implemented an art program for people with traumatic brain injuries at Hattie Larlham.

Maria joined Creative Arts in 2008 as part of the painting program. In 2009, Maria implemented the photography discipline within Creative Arts. Through her ideas, creativity and commitment the children and young adults in Creative Arts can explore photography.

Tim Curran

Creative Arts Tracker, Sculpture

Tim has lived most of his life in rural Vermont. He was first introduced to pottery in high school. He continued his artistic passion by attaining a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Johnson State College in northern Vermont. His personal style is constantly evolving, though it is typically sculptural in nature and constructed using multiple thrown pieces, which are then altered by hand. Tim is still relatively new to Northern Ohio and lives with his fiancée Krista and their Newfoundland puppy Oliver. When Tim is not firmly planted at his potter’s wheel, he may be found tending his vegetable garden, hiking, fishing, traveling or skiing, in addition to many other outdoor activities.

 

Maureen Chandran

Creative Arts Tracker, Painting

Maureen Chandran has a degree in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She enjoys painting as well as sculpting with various materials. Maureen also enjoys doing yoga and spending time outdoors. She got married last August. Maureen holds an art education license and substitutes for local school districts. As a Hattie Larlham Creative Arts tracker, she will work to develop new tools for the artists with developmental disabilities and observe artists to discover interests beyond the visual.

 

 

Bridget O’Donnell

Creative Arts Tracker, Painting

Bridget O’Donnell came to Ohio from Omaha, Nebraska, and was raised on a farm in southern Iowa. She enjoys being with her horses and making prints and photographs. She recently graduated from Kent State University with a masters degree in fine arts in printmaking. She lives in Akron. As an Hattie Larlham Creative Arts tracker, Bridget brings experience with painting and drawing with an emphasis on line and layering.

 

 

Todd Pazicni

Creative Arts Tracker, Painting

Todd Pazicni is a fine artist and illustrator from Lyndhurst, Ohio. In 2010, he received his BFA in illustration from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida. Using mostly acrylic paints, Todd attempts to utilize any painting method he can to create illusion with texture, color and light. When not in the studio, he spends time with his wife, his dog or at his desk planning his next creative endeavor. He believe arts should serve as a therapeutic and enlightening process for all who wish to partake in it.

 

 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Blog
• Pinterest