Artist Erin Guido shares her approach to building connections with her community through art that speaks to people and makes them feel good. The positivity and playfulness of her work encourages communities to co-opt installations and interpret them through their own narratives. 

Artist Cathie Bleck talks over her work about how experiences and context shape one's world view. In her short six minutes on the stage she talks about how war, poverty, life, beauty, ancient ways and the condition of being an artist influences your work if you let it. 

Chef and forager Jeremy Umansky talks about food as the universal uniter of humanity. Often sounding more like a scientist than a chef, Jeremy takes you on a journey discussing things not often discussed as being food and the processes that yield delicious and beautiful food expereinces. 

Conservationist and Executive Director of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Christopher Kuhar talks about his discovery that conservation actually isn't about animals or the environment. It is about inspiring people to care, because education and knowledge alone aren't enough. 

Jason Radcliffe is a furniture designer, maker and advocate. When he's not building his own pieces in his shop, 44 Steel, he is advocating for the furniture making community locally and nationally. He organizes an extremely successful furniture maker based event in Cleveland called F-Sho and was recently one of three finalists on Spike TV's show Framework. 

Karen Katz has 18 years of experience developing and designing exhibits. Her BA in Anthropology and MFA in Museum Exhibition Planning and Design earned her the position as the Director of Exhibits for the Cleveland Children's Museum. But it was her experience as a parent that taught her the importance of free play which amplified her ability to design truly impactful exhibits for children. 

Michael Murray is the Associate Curator of Animals at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and is extremely passionate about giving animals choice to enrich their lives. These enrichment programs encourage animals to connect with their natural behaviors and behaviors that allow the zookeepers to care for the animals.

Vicki Searles is the Director of Conservation Education at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  Her two passions are spending time with her family and serving our community by connecting people with nature and wildlife. She has worked at The Columbus Zoo, Zoo Atlanta the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and has been lucky enough to be involved in community based conservation in Asia, South America, Central America, and North America. 

Prior to moving to Cleveland to lead SPACES, Christina Vassallo was the Executive Director of Flux Factory, a nonprofit organization and arts collective in Queens, NY. She has independently curated exhibitions for a variety of non-profit and for-profit venues and is a self-described “stubborn bicyclist”. Please welcome to the PKN Stage for the second time, Christina Vassallo. 

Jessica Walters is a Case Western graduate and Cleveland native.  She brings her passion for helping kids and creating solutions to her work as Development & Operations Director at Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland.