Arinique Allen

Program Manager, Project 3rd Space
Arinique@skyart.org

Arinique is a dedicated individual deeply committed to making a positive impact in her community, particularly in the lives of young people. Born and raised on the vibrant and culturally diverse southeast side of Chicago, she understands the challenges and opportunities that exist within the community.

With a passion for art and storytelling, Arinique received her BFA in Cinema Art & Science from Columbia College Chicago, harnessing her creative talents to amplify voices and shed light on important social issues. 

As a member of the SkyART team, Arinique actively works to keep the youth safe by fostering an inclusive and supportive community. She embraces her role as Program Manager of Project 3rd Space (P3S), using her creativity, empathy, and strong communication skills to connect with young people, mentor them, and inspire them to discover their own artistic voices.

Basia Brown

Director of Development
Basia@skyart.org

Basia is a dedicated advocate for community development and social impact in Illinois. With a rich background in various non-profit organizations, such as the Springfield Urban League, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, and Chicago Housing Authority, she has excelled in roles ranging from development to program administration. Beyond her professional achievements, Basia has leveraged her artistic talents to provide Art Therapy at Decatur Memorial Hospital Cancer Center during her collegiate career. Armed with a BA in Human Services from Millikin University and a certification in Nonprofit Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she became the Director of Development for the Howard Area Community Center, followed by her current role as the Director of Development at SkyART, where she leads a team of three to fulfill the organization’s mission and budget. Basia’s impact extends further as she actively contributes to grant panels, including the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, showcasing her commitment to nurturing a vibrant cultural landscape. Her journey exemplifies the profound difference one person can make in transforming communities and lives.

Casey Smallwood

Director of Programs
Casey@skyart.org

With over fifteen years of rich experience in arts education, museums and community programming, Casey brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our mission. Holding a BFA in Photography from Missouri State University and an MFA in Visual Art from the University of Chicago, Casey’s dedication to community enrichment shines through her work. She’s all about fostering empathy and empowering individuals to find their voice through art. Before joining SkyART, Casey made waves at The Art Institute of Chicago and the South Bend Museum of Art, crafting engaging programming for exhibitions and mentoring dynamic teams. As an artist, curator and educator, she’s constantly exploring the power of intimacy across various mediums.

Dan Durkin

Development Manager
Dan@skyart.org

Dan brings over 20 years’ experience as a global software corporate executive for SAS, Inst.  He has been an active volunteer supporting nonprofit organizations with strategic planning, analytics, fundraising, and a passion for innovation.  For the past six years Dan has acted as mentor, community organizer, activist and fundraiser for Firebird Community Arts, a Chicago based nonprofit focusing on empowering and connecting youth impacted by violent trauma through the healing practice of glassblowing and ceramics.  He also is a Board Member for Madonna Mission, a nonprofit organization providing education and resettlement support programs for refugees in Chicago.  In his current role as Development Manager Dan brings his encore career commitment to serve Chicago youth with his business experience to support SkyART’s development organization.  

Devon VanHouten-Maldonado, MA

Executive Director
Devon@skyart.org

Devon joined SkyART in 2018 as the Project 3rd Space (P3S) and Community Program Manager, later becoming Assistant Director of Programs in 2019 and Director of Programs in 2020. Stepping into the role of Executive Director in 2023, he works to ensure that young artists and staff feel the same sense of belonging and creative homecoming that he felt visiting SkyART studios for the first time. He recognizes himself in the children that walk through our doors and sees them as future Executive Directors and creative leaders. Devon earned his MA in Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago and a BFA from the Pacific NW College of Art. Before joining SkyART, Devon worked as a journalist and exhibiting artist in Mexico City, Portland, Ore and internationally. His work with incarcerated youth and undocumented migrant children dates back more than a decade to his undergraduate years and he still works with SkyART’s Just-US program, building connections and collaborating with groups of incarcerated young artists every week. In 2022, Devon curated Can you see me?, an exhibition featuring artwork by youth in the Just-US program.

Ellen Tritschler, MAAE

Senior Program Manager, SkyWAY
Ellen@skyart.org

Ellen is an arts educator with over twenty-plus years experience teaching for Chicago arts organizations and working with youth and adult populations within schools and community spaces. Her passion has always been to offer opportunities for people to discover their creativity through art and to not be discouraged by traditional ideologies of what art is supposed to be. 

She began working at SkyART as a teaching artist and was part of the first teaching artist cohort that implemented the SkyWAY methodology and practice. Ellen then became part of the staff as the Program Manager of Schools and Communities in 2019. She then transitioned to the Program Manager of Virtual Programming and as of 2021 is now the Program Manager of SkyWAY. In her role, she works to bring the SkyWAY to as many youth in South Chicago and West side communities, and to support the teaching artists who work within the program. She holds a B.A. in Studio Art from DePaul University, BFA in Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and M.A. in Arts Education from the School of the Art Institute.

Francesca Fox

Operations Assistant
Francesca@skyart.org

Francesca joined SkyART in 2023 as an Operations Assistant supporting their arts programming and project management. A lover of all artistic mediums, her niche is multimedia, focusing on film and media arts. She received her BS at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, studying film history and criticism. Francesca is committed to uplifting SkyART’s creative community through her experience in arts administration and advocacy.

Gabriela Martinez, AM, LSW

Project Impact Coordinator
Gabriela@skyart.org

Gabriela is a licensed social worker, therapist, and advocate for mental health. At SkyART, she combines her love for expressive arts with mental health advocacy for youth. As the Project Impact Coordinator, Gabriela helps develop SkyArt’s art therapy program and provides trauma-responsive therapy using expressive arts to children aged 7-24. She has a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in Social Work, Policy, and Practice and has worked extensively with children, families, and communities, offering crisis management, therapy services, and resource-building. Gabriela’s therapeutic approach integrates psychotherapy, mindfulness techniques, and body-based trauma interventions like EMDR, alongside artistic and creative expression. Additionally, she is pursuing an Expressive Arts Therapy Certification and continues to practice creativity through painting, makeup, and collaborations with other Chicago-based creatives.

Jennifer Torwudzo-Stroh

Senior Operations Manager
Jennifer@skyart.org

Jen is an arts administrator, historian, and essayist living and working in Chicago, IL. A lover of art and history, she studied both as an undergrad and received her BA from Ball State University. In her writings, she explores topics like contemporary art, pop culture, and artists of color. As Operations Manager, she brings over a decade of experience in arts and operations management to SkyART.

Jennifer Perez

Programs Assistant
Jennyperez@skyart.org

Jenny is a Chicago based artist and illustrator. Graduate from Columbia College Chicago in 2020 with a BA in Illustration. She explores queer identities and experiences in her work, creating the representation her younger self would dream to have. Her heart is driven by community, and art is a way they feel connected with it. This is what drew her to SkyART, a home that empowers your voice through many mediums. As Programs Assistant they are excited to continue growing, learning new skills and uplifting the wonderful artists that come to SkyART.

Jorge Ramirez

Operations Coordinator
Jorge@skyart.org

Jorge joined SkyART as an intern during summer programs and joined our staff shortly after. He is a student at National Louis University in Chicago and is majoring in Business Administration. Jorge has also participated in our teen P3S program, developing his artistic style and vision. As Operations Coordinator, he helps maintain consistency for our staff, participants, and vision.

Kelly Christiel, MA

Schools and Community Program Manager
Kelly@skyart.org

Nikki Diaz

Programs Coordinator
Nikki@skyart.org

Passionate for the arts and psychology, Nikki graduated from Trinity Christian College with a bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy. Originally joining SkyART as a Project Impact intern she discovered an environment brimming with creativity, love, and endless support for the community. Heavily inspired by her surroundings and using her art as therapy she delves into painting, mix media, and ceramics to cope with stressors of the day. Utilizing her knowledge of art and forming connections with those around her she quickly adopted many roles from studio assistant to teaching artist, and currently the Program Coordinator. 

Sarah Ward, MA, ATR

Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Sarah@skyart.org

In 1993 Sarah began her path of educating underserved youth in the visual arts in New York City’s Lower East Side. She came to Chicago in 1996 to receive a master’s degree from The School of the Art Institute and the Rush Medical Center. Her first job out of grad school was for the Department of Children and Family Services managing caseloads and conducting therapy with severely disturbed and dual diagnosis children. Then in 1998 she established the first such art therapy program in the country at the Cook County Juvenile Court. There she conducted group and individual art therapy sessions with victims of abuse and neglect as well as with juvenile delinquents. Sarah received her registration as an Art Therapist in 1999 (ATR) which is 2000 post graduate degree clinical supervision hours with a licensed therapist. She recently received a certification from NYU Silver School of Social Work as a trauma-informed clinical practitioner.  She conducts over 8 hours of therapy a week inside youth prisons. She is currently pursuing her license as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LCPC) She holds a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and graduated in 1993 and is a practicing artist.

Sarah sees everything with a therapeutic lens so in 2001 she founded SkyART. As CEO, Sarah is responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight in the daily operations of the organization including implementing the vision and strategic objectives of the Board of Directors. She supports the Board, directs the staff and manages Director level employees. She focuses on building and maintaining stakeholder relationships, developing and managing revenue streams, and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the SkyART’s programs.

She currently conducts over 15 hours of clinical therapy a week with youth experiencing trauma as well as youth in detention and incarcerated facilities. She also provides 3 to 4 hours of clinical supervision with master’s level interns and contractual therapist and staff weekly.

Sophie Tiahnybik

Development Coordinator
Sophie@skyart.org

Sophie Tiahnybik is a painter, comedian, organizer, and non-profit worker with a passion for building community and creating art. She received her BA in Global Studies with a Minor in Art History at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. While studying she also worked at a variety of art centered nonprofits. Sophie went on to do political organizing in Michigan, Oregon, and Massachusetts serving campaigns that support climate change, reproductive rights, and ending voting suppression. She is thrilled to be back in the community arts space as the new Development Coordinator and plans to continue to find imaginative ways to serve the community’s youth. 

Tasha Robinson, SHRM – CP

Chief Operations Officer
Tasha@skyart.org

Tasha joined SkyART as Director of Programs with nearly fifteen years of youth development and program management work experience. She received her BS in Business Management/Human Resources with a minor in Psychology from Bradley University. Tasha came to SkyART with extensive experience in for-profit and nonprofit management and a passion for community and youth development work. She has dedicated much of her nonprofit work around youth services, particularly in mentoring programs and volunteers to mentor young girls. After 5 years with SkyART, Tasha transitioned to the position of Director of Operations, ultimately assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer. Tasha holds certifications in Human Resource Management as well as Nonprofit Accounting. In her current role as COO, she serves as a partner with the CEO, Executive Director, and Board to ensure the organization remains financially viable and has strong internal systems, processes, and resources in place to carry out its mission and support its strategic vision.