Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Jean Marie Durant
Board President
Tom Neff
Treasurer
Tayleur Crenshaw
Tayleur Crenshaw
Board Member
Shirin Richens
Shirin Richens
Board Member
Mario Hernandez
Mario Hernandez
Board Member
Valerie Huaco
Valerie Huaco
Board Member
Alyssa Stone
Alyssa Stone
Vice President
Board Member
Tanay Kothari
Secretary
Women with long dark hair, smiling, wearing a white dress.
Purvi Sanjay Patel
Board Member
Women with dark hair and a white and blue stripe shirt.
Loretta Nguyen
Board Member

Board Advisory Committee

Howard Flax – President, Flax Art and Design

Danielle Fox – Owner; Slate Contemporary Gallery and Art Consulting

Assan Jethmal – Goodmother Gallery, Endeavors Oakland

Moss Kardener – Chief Brand Advisor, OnStrategy Consultants

Zoa Town – Vice President, Property and Asset Management at TMG Partners.

Arts Venue Committee

Chandra Cerrito – Owner, Chandra Cerrito Art Advisors

Meghan Faulkner – Principal, Local Language

Christine Ferrouge – Artist, Werkshack

Danielle Fox – Owner – Slate Contemporary Gallery and Art Consulting and Committee Chair

Mario Hernandez – Board Member

Tavee Lee – Artist, Gearbox Gallery

Johanna Poethig – Artist, Mercury 20 Gallery

Patricia Sonnino – Artist, Gearbox Gallery

Lucy Spencer – Administrative Support, Slate Contemporary Gallery and Art Consulting

Jan Watten – Owner, Gray Loft Gallery

Programming and Events Committee

Jean Marie Durant – Committee Chair and Board Member

Shirin Richens – Board Member

Loretta Nguyen – Volunteer

Marketing and Communications Committee

Tayleur Crenshaw – Committee Chair and Board Member

Calder Anderson – Social Media and Marketing Contractor

LFK Media – Video and Livestream Support

Development and Fundraising Committee

Jean Durant – Committee Chair and Board President

Tom Neff – Co-Chair and Board Treasurer

Valerie Huaco – Board Member

Tanya Kothari – Board Member

Purvi Patel – Board Member

Celine Piser – Grant Writer, Researcher, Editor

Community Engagement and Outreach Committee

Alyssa Stone – Board Member

Natalie Williamson – Artist Liaison Volunteer

Technology Support

Wesley and Jessica Warren

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Events
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News

Board President

City of Oakland Economic Recovery Council 2020

Jean Marie Durant

A curious thinker, change agent and leader of creative teams for retail organizations such as Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Blockbuster and most recently Banana Republic. Jean is passionate about growing Oakland’s diverse and electric visual arts communities by connecting the public to the arts and creative spaces that make the Town so special. You’ll see Jean around Oakland riding her Public bike, walking Lake Merritt or searching out new street murals and pop-up art spaces.

Pronouns – she/her

Treasurer

Tom Neff

Managing Partner / Tax Stockholder / International Tax Co-Chair

Tom Neff, CPA, is RINA’s Managing Partner, Co-Chair of the International Tax Practice Group, and manager of the firm’s Wealth Management division. Tom advises businesses and individuals investing abroad and foreigners investing in the US on tax structuring and multinational tax planning.Prior to moving to the Bay Area, Tom spent 5 years with a CPA firm located in the US Virgin Islands. He is passionate about the local Performing Arts scene and can be seen monthly performing at the All-Out Comedy Theater in Oakland with his improv troupe.

Board Member

Tayleur Crenshaw

Art is every part of our reaction to the universe both actioned and imagined. Our release of it is what syncs us to everyone and everything. My impact will come via my response to all the things that I know, share and learn through the syncing process that is art.

Tayleur is a creator, a spoken word artist, a black woman. Tayleur’s ultimate goal is to love on black people and to encourage their wildest dreams.

As a New York native and Howard University grad, Tayleur was born and raised in culture in its most raw and passionate form.

In 2018 Tayleur moved to Oakland, California and co-founded Gold Beams (Instagram / Website), a brand that curates spaces for the black community with special highlights on black creatives.Her brand’s signature event, Second Mondays, has grown to host over 150 people monthly (with a recent all time attendee high of 400) and is a space where the community can share and engage with art, enjoy free food and wine, and commune over dope BBQ / family reunion vibes.Gold beams also curates, and is contracted to curate, socials, talk series, workshops, panel discussions, creative sessions and more.

She/Her/Hers

Board Member

Shirin Richens

Shirin Richens, IIDA MBE is the owner of Nomadika Design Studio, a published and award winning design firm focusing on Commercial Interior Design and Interior Architecture since 1999.The Visual Arts layer is vital to our projects and in turn our community.Often our favorite phase of a project is meeting our local Oakland artists and makers in their studios and collaborating to create that unique piece that brings it all together or visiting Oakland Gallerists to curate an interior just-so.It’s these personal and meaningful experiences in our Oakland Art Community that inspired me to join Art Murmur and its mission to help the Arts thrive.Shirin will be supporting the organization in Fundraising and Development as a Board Member since January 2020.

Board Member

Mario Hernandez

I joined Oakland Art Murmur in order to support the vital role of the arts and artists in fostering such communities through creativity and expression at the local level. I am excited about being back in the Bay Area and passionate about promoting artists in Oakland. 

Mario is a professor of sociology at Mills college in Oakland.  As an urban sociologist, he is passionate about cities and dedicated to working towards creating more equitable and sustainable cities through community engagement and empowerment. Mario joined Oakland Art Murmur in order to support the vital role of the arts and artists in fostering such communities through creativity and expression at the local level. His forthcoming book, Bushwick Bohemia: Art and Revitalization in Gentrifying Brooklyn investigates the development of Bushwick’s well-established art scene against the backdrop of the neighborhood’s history and contemporary gentrification. A Bay Area native, Mario has spent the last decade living on the east coast and doing research in New York City. He is excited about being back in the Bay Area and passionate about promoting artists in Oakland.

He/Him/His

Board Member

Valerie Huaco

I'm excited to roll up my sleeves in support of artists and galleries in this amazingly fertile, creative town! Making connections, getting to know more of the makers, and hearing what the community needs will be great to plunge into.

Valerie Huaco is Deputy Director and Chief Content Officer at the Oakland Museum of California where she leads curation, design, collections, evaluation, production and experience development. She builds community in Oakland through partnerships with historic, civic, and artist groups. A Bay Area resident for three decades and an alumna of CCA, Valerie has also worked in collections care and conservation, art sales, preservation policy, non profit membership, and communications.

She/Her/Hers

Vice President

Alyssa Stone

I am so excited to join the dedicated and creative Board members of Oakland Art Murmur! I'm the ultimate fan of artists and makers. It has never been more vital to ensure that artists and the arts flourish, and that all in our community have access to life-changing creativity.

Alyssa has dedicated her life to making the arts accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all. Alyssa joined The Crucible as the Director of Programs in October 2018. In her role (and with an awesome team!), Alyssa guides and supports all programming for The Crucible including adult classes and workshops, youth classes and workshops, private events, internal and external community engagement, rentals, the CREATE artist program, partnerships, and professional development. Prior to joining The Crucible, Alyssa was the Community Programs and Department Manager with San Francisco Opera, where she began in 2008, and continues as a Teaching Artist for the Diversity, Equity, and Community Department. Alyssa has worked with Stern Grove Festival as the Education and Outreach Manager; Seattle Opera as Curriculum Specialist and founding Teaching Artist; Seattle Symphony as Curriculum Specialist and Teaching Artist piloting the Link Up Program; Presidio Graduate School as Events and Special Programs Manager; San Francisco Arts Commission as Arts Education Program Assistant; San Francisco Arts Education Project as an Artist in Residence; and as the Operations Manager and Executive Producer for the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco and the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. Alyssa served as the Vice President of the Board of the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco for many years, as well. Alyssa also holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master of Music in Voice Performance from New England Conservatory of Music, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Voice Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Performing since she was 8 years old, Alyssa maintains an active cabaret and theatre career. Alyssa has extensive experience curating and producing live performances and community-centered events including over 10 years with San Francisco Opera producing countless performance events, 5 years with Stern Grove Festival producing main stage and traveling concerts, 6 years with LGCSF and SFLGFB producing the Annual Pride Concerts and Dance-Along Nutcracker, and myriad community events.

 

She/Her/Hers

Secretary

Tanay Kothari

As a lifelong East Bay resident, I am passionate about the area's vibrant public life and the role of the arts within it.

Tanay Kothari is a Business Operations Manager at LinkedIn, where his work focuses on products that match jobseekers with jobs. Tanay’s previous work is in technology, consulting, and public service. Tanay previously served on the City of Berkeley’s Labor Commission and as an At-Large Board Member for the UC Student Association. A lifelong East Bay resident, Tanay is passionate about the area’s vibrant public life and the role of the arts within it.

He/him/his

Board Member

Purvi Sanjay Patel

I am passionate about making sure artists whose voices are largely unheard receive the financial and community support they need to thrive.

Purvi serves on the Executive Staff at Self-Help Federal Credit Union, a community development credit union based in Oakland, CA.  She oversees special projects and new initiatives intended to further the organization’s mission of creating and protecting wealth in underserved communities.  Before working at Self-Help, Purvi practiced law for 7 years, specializing in litigation and regulatory compliance.  A nomad for most of her life, Purvi has created roots in Oakland.  She is trained in classical Indian dance and enjoys learning dance of all styles.  Purvi is passionate about making sure artists whose voices are largely unheard receive the financial and community support they need to thrive. She is committed to ensuring that Oakland art is accessible and enjoyed by all residents, and is thrilled to be a part of the leadership team at Oakland Art Murmur.

She/her/hers

Board Member

Loretta Nguyen

Loretta is an Oakland native.  In 2007, she co-founded fiftyseven-thirtythree; an apparel + art company and later in 2012 teamed up with the East Bay Express to launch Loakal, an art gallery showcasing local art through monthly shows.  Loakal also represented over 150 independent designers in its boutique.  Loakal owes its success to the wide and diverse community support from the City of Oakland, Oakland Art Murmur, to the Oakland artist community to art enthusiasts.  Loakal and fiftyseven-thirtythree closed its doors in 2015.  Recently, Loretta was aching to return to her old stomping grounds of promoting, learning, and supporting the arts in Oakland.  She enjoys taking the time to support artists be inspired in their journey to whatever success means to them.  Without art – Oakland would not be the cultural haven that it is, and Loretta hopes that she can be apart of this larger movement in any way she can to keep in going strong. 

She/Her/Hers

Board President

City of Oakland Economic Recovery Council 2020

Jean Marie Durant

A curious thinker, change agent and leader of creative teams for retail organizations such as Old Navy, Gap, Gymboree, Blockbuster and most recently Banana Republic. Jean is passionate about growing Oakland’s diverse and electric visual arts communities by connecting the public to the arts and creative spaces that make the Town so special. You’ll see Jean around Oakland riding her Public bike, walking Lake Merritt or searching out new street murals and pop-up art spaces.

Pronouns – she/her

Treasurer

Tom Neff

Managing Partner / Tax Stockholder / International Tax Co-Chair

Tom Neff, CPA, is RINA’s Managing Partner, Co-Chair of the International Tax Practice Group, and manager of the firm’s Wealth Management division. Tom advises businesses and individuals investing abroad and foreigners investing in the US on tax structuring and multinational tax planning.Prior to moving to the Bay Area, Tom spent 5 years with a CPA firm located in the US Virgin Islands. He is passionate about the local Performing Arts scene and can be seen monthly performing at the All-Out Comedy Theater in Oakland with his improv troupe.

Board Member

Tayleur Crenshaw

Art is every part of our reaction to the universe both actioned and imagined. Our release of it is what syncs us to everyone and everything. My impact will come via my response to all the things that I know, share and learn through the syncing process that is art.

Tayleur is a creator, a spoken word artist, a black woman. Tayleur’s ultimate goal is to love on black people and to encourage their wildest dreams.

As a New York native and Howard University grad, Tayleur was born and raised in culture in its most raw and passionate form.

In 2018 Tayleur moved to Oakland, California and co-founded Gold Beams (Instagram / Website), a brand that curates spaces for the black community with special highlights on black creatives.Her brand’s signature event, Second Mondays, has grown to host over 150 people monthly (with a recent all time attendee high of 400) and is a space where the community can share and engage with art, enjoy free food and wine, and commune over dope BBQ / family reunion vibes.Gold beams also curates, and is contracted to curate, socials, talk series, workshops, panel discussions, creative sessions and more.

She/Her/Hers

Board Member

Shirin Richens

Shirin Richens, IIDA MBE is the owner of Nomadika Design Studio, a published and award winning design firm focusing on Commercial Interior Design and Interior Architecture since 1999.The Visual Arts layer is vital to our projects and in turn our community.Often our favorite phase of a project is meeting our local Oakland artists and makers in their studios and collaborating to create that unique piece that brings it all together or visiting Oakland Gallerists to curate an interior just-so.It’s these personal and meaningful experiences in our Oakland Art Community that inspired me to join Art Murmur and its mission to help the Arts thrive.Shirin will be supporting the organization in Fundraising and Development as a Board Member since January 2020.

Board Member

Mario Hernandez

I joined Oakland Art Murmur in order to support the vital role of the arts and artists in fostering such communities through creativity and expression at the local level. I am excited about being back in the Bay Area and passionate about promoting artists in Oakland. 

Mario is a professor of sociology at Mills college in Oakland.  As an urban sociologist, he is passionate about cities and dedicated to working towards creating more equitable and sustainable cities through community engagement and empowerment. Mario joined Oakland Art Murmur in order to support the vital role of the arts and artists in fostering such communities through creativity and expression at the local level. His forthcoming book, Bushwick Bohemia: Art and Revitalization in Gentrifying Brooklyn investigates the development of Bushwick’s well-established art scene against the backdrop of the neighborhood’s history and contemporary gentrification. A Bay Area native, Mario has spent the last decade living on the east coast and doing research in New York City. He is excited about being back in the Bay Area and passionate about promoting artists in Oakland.

He/Him/His

Board Member

Valerie Huaco

I'm excited to roll up my sleeves in support of artists and galleries in this amazingly fertile, creative town! Making connections, getting to know more of the makers, and hearing what the community needs will be great to plunge into.

Valerie Huaco is Deputy Director and Chief Content Officer at the Oakland Museum of California where she leads curation, design, collections, evaluation, production and experience development. She builds community in Oakland through partnerships with historic, civic, and artist groups. A Bay Area resident for three decades and an alumna of CCA, Valerie has also worked in collections care and conservation, art sales, preservation policy, non profit membership, and communications.

She/Her/Hers

Vice President

Alyssa Stone

I am so excited to join the dedicated and creative Board members of Oakland Art Murmur! I'm the ultimate fan of artists and makers. It has never been more vital to ensure that artists and the arts flourish, and that all in our community have access to life-changing creativity.

Alyssa has dedicated her life to making the arts accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all. Alyssa joined The Crucible as the Director of Programs in October 2018. In her role (and with an awesome team!), Alyssa guides and supports all programming for The Crucible including adult classes and workshops, youth classes and workshops, private events, internal and external community engagement, rentals, the CREATE artist program, partnerships, and professional development. Prior to joining The Crucible, Alyssa was the Community Programs and Department Manager with San Francisco Opera, where she began in 2008, and continues as a Teaching Artist for the Diversity, Equity, and Community Department. Alyssa has worked with Stern Grove Festival as the Education and Outreach Manager; Seattle Opera as Curriculum Specialist and founding Teaching Artist; Seattle Symphony as Curriculum Specialist and Teaching Artist piloting the Link Up Program; Presidio Graduate School as Events and Special Programs Manager; San Francisco Arts Commission as Arts Education Program Assistant; San Francisco Arts Education Project as an Artist in Residence; and as the Operations Manager and Executive Producer for the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco and the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. Alyssa served as the Vice President of the Board of the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco for many years, as well. Alyssa also holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master of Music in Voice Performance from New England Conservatory of Music, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Voice Performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Performing since she was 8 years old, Alyssa maintains an active cabaret and theatre career. Alyssa has extensive experience curating and producing live performances and community-centered events including over 10 years with San Francisco Opera producing countless performance events, 5 years with Stern Grove Festival producing main stage and traveling concerts, 6 years with LGCSF and SFLGFB producing the Annual Pride Concerts and Dance-Along Nutcracker, and myriad community events.

 

She/Her/Hers

Secretary

Tanay Kothari

As a lifelong East Bay resident, I am passionate about the area's vibrant public life and the role of the arts within it.

Tanay Kothari is a Business Operations Manager at LinkedIn, where his work focuses on products that match jobseekers with jobs. Tanay’s previous work is in technology, consulting, and public service. Tanay previously served on the City of Berkeley’s Labor Commission and as an At-Large Board Member for the UC Student Association. A lifelong East Bay resident, Tanay is passionate about the area’s vibrant public life and the role of the arts within it.

He/him/his

Board Member

Purvi Sanjay Patel

I am passionate about making sure artists whose voices are largely unheard receive the financial and community support they need to thrive.

Purvi serves on the Executive Staff at Self-Help Federal Credit Union, a community development credit union based in Oakland, CA.  She oversees special projects and new initiatives intended to further the organization’s mission of creating and protecting wealth in underserved communities.  Before working at Self-Help, Purvi practiced law for 7 years, specializing in litigation and regulatory compliance.  A nomad for most of her life, Purvi has created roots in Oakland.  She is trained in classical Indian dance and enjoys learning dance of all styles.  Purvi is passionate about making sure artists whose voices are largely unheard receive the financial and community support they need to thrive. She is committed to ensuring that Oakland art is accessible and enjoyed by all residents, and is thrilled to be a part of the leadership team at Oakland Art Murmur.

She/her/hers

Board Member

Loretta Nguyen

Loretta is an Oakland native.  In 2007, she co-founded fiftyseven-thirtythree; an apparel + art company and later in 2012 teamed up with the East Bay Express to launch Loakal, an art gallery showcasing local art through monthly shows.  Loakal also represented over 150 independent designers in its boutique.  Loakal owes its success to the wide and diverse community support from the City of Oakland, Oakland Art Murmur, to the Oakland artist community to art enthusiasts.  Loakal and fiftyseven-thirtythree closed its doors in 2015.  Recently, Loretta was aching to return to her old stomping grounds of promoting, learning, and supporting the arts in Oakland.  She enjoys taking the time to support artists be inspired in their journey to whatever success means to them.  Without art – Oakland would not be the cultural haven that it is, and Loretta hopes that she can be apart of this larger movement in any way she can to keep in going strong. 

She/Her/Hers