James Landon is a music Artist and Fashion Designer born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After serving four years honorably in the Marine Corps, James moved to LA to start his music and fashion career then returned to Sioux Falls to open a clothing and arts event space. Passionate about infiltrating the art scene into the community, James brings to the table innovative thinking, unique perspective, and a drive to diversify art accessibility.

Shane Wuebben is a Sioux Falls native, and, because of the vibrant arts community, he is proud to continue to call Sioux Falls his home.  He serves as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Sioux Falls School District, where he works with all teachers and programs for visual arts, music, theater, speech and debate, oral interp, and most recently Esports.  Shane is now in his 20th year working in education, which has included teaching vocal music at both elementary and secondary levels as well as building and district-wide administration.  He enjoys being able to continue making music as a member of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Joel Rische is a partner at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz, and Smith, LLP, where he is a civil litigation attorney. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Joel traveled South Dakota learning about its arts, culture, history, and music as a videographer, editor, and producer at South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Through the years, Joel has also participated in the local scene as a drummer (and sometimes guitar player and singer) in several bands. After a stint in Nebraska, where Joel attended the University of Nebraska College of Law, he and wife Jackelyn Severin returned to Sioux Falls in 2015. Joel and Jackie enjoy raising their rambunctious toddler, attending local shows, and strolling the downtown sculpture walk.

Deya Thorin was born on the Island of Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic. She became a United States citizen in 1994 and loves the founding principles of this country. She and her husband Todd have been married for 35 years and have raised six children and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren. She has worked as a freelance Spanish Judicial Interpreter and Translator. She is an accomplished artist and professional model with a second degree black belt in Taekwondo. She can also twist a chicken’s head off and turn it into dinner. She has served as a Counselor in the Young Women and Relief Society Organizations of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. She also served as a leader, together with her husband, in the church’s addiction recovery program. She loves to entertain, cook and watch baking shows. Reading daily has become a great habit and she loves her book club sisters. Her children and grandchildren are her joy and her husband is her hero.

Erin Castle is a painter, curator, and arts advocate with more than twenty years of experience contributing to the growth of Sioux Falls’ creative community. Her work spans curatorial leadership at the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center, art consulting with WPMI, and the development of public art initiatives that bring large-scale installations and meaningful community engagement to the region. Alongside her professional work, Castle maintains an active multimedia studio practice and performs original music with her Americana band, The Clover Fold. Whether through visual art, music, or public programming, she is dedicated to fostering creativity, connection, and a vibrant arts culture in Sioux Falls.

Lisa Brunick is a retired art educator and art therapist, registered with the American Art Therapy Credentials Board. Working closely with students and families affected by trauma, she is passionate about teaching and using peaceful art as community outreach for diverse populations. She has developed specialized art therapy programs tailored to the needs of immigrant and refugee students and their families. Currently facilitating art as therapy at the Minnehaha Juvenile Detention Center, Lisa encourages the youth to use art to explore who they are as individuals, who they are as members of their home communities, and how they can be responsible stewards of the world. Her commitment to art as a community necessity was demonstrated through her leadership in helping students design and create the large downtown CommUnity Youth Mosaic, which celebrates diversity. Lisa is a founding member of Arts in Healing South Dakota.

Maren Engel is the Arts Coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls. Her past work as Engagement Leader with Thrivent, supporting the organization’s philanthropic, community partnership, and generosity efforts as well as coaching new financial advisors through strategic business and marketing planning. She holds a bachelor of arts in music from Augustana University. Maren also works as a professional performing artist, voice teacher and arts advocate in the Sioux Falls area, performing with local organizations including the Good Night Theatre Collective, Midtown Coffee Radio Hour, and Transept. In addition to her work on the SFAC, Maren serves as board president for Breathe Bravely, a local non-profit that supports individuals with cystic fibrosis through singing lessons and music therapy. Maren lives in busy downtown Sioux Falls and is passionate about the continued development and support of the arts throughout the city.