Staff
Mike Mellas
Executive Director | 585-766-5906 | mike@slpfota.org
Originally from upstate New York, Mike completed a Bachelor's Degree in English and Theatre from Bucknell University, a Master's Degree in Theatre from Miami University of Ohio, and has completed doctoral coursework in Theatre Historiography at the University of Minnesota. As an arts educator, he's taught at Gustavus Adolphus College, University of Minnesota, and NC State University. Regardless of the course, Mike's teaching always used the arts as a tool to help students better understand themselves, better understand the world, and better understand themselves in the world. As an arts administrator, Mike was most recently running an arts residential program at NC State University. As a unit of one for NC State's Arts Village, Mike strengthened the program's curriculum, increased applicants, and built a robust artist-in-residence series. As a theatre artist, Mike has served as director or dramaturg for dozens of theatre productions, both at the college and professional level. As an arts researcher, Mike's work focuses on community-based arts and art for social change. He has presented at regional and national conferences on the importance of integrating the arts into all aspects of our social and political lives.
Alysha Boie
Art Fair Coordinator | 612-226-5900 | slpartfair@gmail.com
Alysha Boie lives in St. Louis Park with her husband and three boys. Alysha’s background includes community mental health, education and the arts. She received a dual degree in communication and peace studies from the University of St. Thomas. Additionally, she is a small business owner of Beautiful Impact and coordinates events, including the St. Louis Park Art Fair.
Emily Jane Wall Burnley
Programs Coordinator | emilyjane@slpfota.org
Emily Jane Wall Burnley is a visual artist and art educator who lives in St. Louis Park with her husband and daughter. She graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2008 with a degree in Studio Art and holds a Masters degree in Art and Art Education from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. Her paintings have exhibited in New York, North Carolina, and Minnesota. Additionally, she owns and operates her online small business, Emily Jane Wall Art. She is currently a Doctoral student and Arts Education instructor at the University of Minnesota. Prior to returning to school, she was a K-8 Art Teacher for 12 years in North Carolina, New York City, Washington D.C., and the Minneapolis area. She is committed to her personal art practice as well as creating avenues for equitable and accessible art education for all.
Board of Directors
Jennifer Kos, Chair has lived in St Louis Park since 2018 with her husband and step-son. Jen is more of a supporter of the arts than a creator. She is especially a fan of live music and theater. She holds a BIS from the University of Minnesota in Finance, Communications and Psychology and works for Shipt, a subsidiary of Target.
Jim McDonough Jr., Vice Chair has been a resident of St. Louis Park since 1975 and is a Fund Development Consultant for McDonough Associates. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the St. Louis Park Human Rights commission. Jim is the board chair of the Park Theater Company: St. Louis Park’s Community Theater.
Eli Rosenberg, Treasurer is the director of PR & media partnerships at The Catch Co., and previously worked in Chicago with various startup companies, including co-founding Food Genius. Eli now lives in St. Louis Park with his wife and two kids.
Bob McSherry, Secretary has lived in St. Louis Park since 1997 with his wife and has raised his two children here; it's a great community. He is a creator, video producer and has worked for 20+ years in production for local government for the South East Suburbs. He also is a guitar player and wannabe musician.
Bob Kusnetz: an active resident of SLP for over 27 years, Bob is in his second stint as President of the Fern Hill Neighborhood Association, and joined the FOTA board in 2023. While supporting all the arts, Bob’s focus is on poetry as an art form. A professional writer and editor, Bob concentrates on technical documentation design and creation in his work. You can find Bob’s poetry in sidewalks near the high school stadium and in Fern Hill, as two of his poems were selected for the Sidewalk Poetry program.
Diane Pecoraro is the Community Poet of St. Louis Park. She has had a lifelong interest in the arts, particularly in literature, film and visual arts. Diane has been a member of both the film and art committees at the SABES JCC, and currently works as an instructor at Hamline University and as a volunteer in the adult ESL program in St. Louis Park.
Gwen Barker has lived in St. Louis Park since 1994 with her husband. Now retired, Gwen comes from a business background, having started a technology human resources consulting company, and an educational background; she was an adjunct instructor for Capella University. Gwen is passionate about the arts and has worked in many art mediums on a hobby level. She brings her organizational energy to promote art and support theater and music in the community.
Juliet Trow is a visual artist and has lived in St. Louis Park for the past 10 years. She works as a medical coder for multi-disciplinary clinic. In her spare time she enjoys exploring coffee shops, galleries, and seeking out hidden gems that fuel her creativity.
Kathleen Nevells has lived in St. Louis Park since 1997 with her husband and two children. Kathleen holds a BFA from University of Hartford in Connecticut and works for United Healthcare.
Lillian Dolan Ziff has been a resident of St. Louis Park for almost 10 years. She worked in educational/hospital settings with children and teens for over 40 years. She holds a specialist degree in educational leadership and a Masters Degree in Counseling and School Psychology. She lives with her spouse of almost 48 years and has two children and one grandchild who live in Portland and Seattle. She enjoys reading, walking in nature, attending plays and concerts, and travelling. She presently volunteers at STEP, where she loves meeting and being with people. Her interest in Friends of the Arts evolved while attending the events and viewing the exciting artistic works in Saint Louis Park.
Tina Sacin has lived in St Louis Park since 2010 with her husband and 7-year-old son. Tina is a professor and director of graduate programs in clinical mental health at St Cloud State University, and has served on National boards for the counseling profession. Tina wanted to give this same energy and passion to her local community. Tina is passionate about integrating the arts within mental health/wellness and access to artistic programming for our community youth. Tina is a lifelong supporter of the arts and participated in choir throughout K-12 and the University of New Mexico. Tina's husband can be found at local open mic nights at Parkway Pizza, but plays classical guitar by training. Her brother in law sings with the Washington Opera, and her nieces and nephews cross the range of off broadway musical theater and video music photography/production. This emphasizes her passion around access and exposure for the arts.
Rob Uhlemann has enjoyed living in St. Louis Park since 2013 with his wife and two young boys. He is passionate about improving his community for future generations and supporting local artists and businesses. In Rob's free time, when he's not wrangling small children, he enjoys biking, craft breweries, video and board games, and local restaurants. Rob is currently the Director of Enterprise Strategy at CHS with prior work experience covering marketing and strategy consulting across a variety of industries. Rob's education includes a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.
Wendy Freshman recently retired after working 19 years as a family programs coordinator with the Minnesota History Center. Wendy is also a craft-book author and actor frequently performing in theater productions around the Twin Cities.
Emeritus
Jim Rhodes is a retired Legislative Director with the Department of Administration of the State of Minnesota. He was a State Representative from 1993-2004. Jim has been an alto sax player for more than 50 years, and currently plays in and serves on the board of the St. Louis Park Community Band. He is also a board member of the St. Louis Park Community and Youth Development Fund, and a member of St. Louis Park Rotary Club.
Interested in joining the board or volunteering?
Board members must live or work in St. Louis Park, attend board meetings on the final Thursday of each month, and have a desire to grow and support the local arts community. All are welcomed to volunteer!