Meet Your Arts and Humanities Commissioners
The Arts and Humanities Commission (AHC) consists of volunteers who meet at least quarterly to shape the cultural programming in the City, including the We Are Takoma series and public art proposal recommendations.
Currently, the AHC is an active group made up of individuals from the town’s creative community. But who are they? Beginning this month, we will profile several of our amazing commissioners.
Commissioner Kevin Adler says it was inevitable that he would move to Takoma Park. A journalist who loves reading, music, and interesting people, Kevin’s first exposure to Takoma Park was the Folk Festival. Later he became chair of that event and then joined the boards of the Takoma Foundation and the Arts and Humanities Commission. He is awed by the creativity of the residents of our city, displayed through our festivals, concerts, public art, poetry readings, dance performances, gardens and so much more.
Commissioner Camilla “Cami” Schaeffer is an elementary art teacher in Washington, D.C., by day and an artist by night. Currently, Cami is focusing on oil paintings and paper flowers for weddings, other events and home decor. She recently graduated from Boston University with a Master’s Degree in Art Education and is a member of the Perry Street Art Collective located at ReCreative Spaces in Mount Rainier. Takoma Park has impressed Cami with its commitment to art and culture through governmental initiatives to support individuals’ work in public art.
Commissioner Abraham “Abe” Joyner-Meyers, who is still in high school, is the youngest member of the commission. He has grown up in Takoma Park and is constantly inspired by the local community. From attending and performing at the Folk Festival to participating in lectures and discussions at the library, Abe has made engagement with Takoma Park’s arts and humanities community a central part of his homeschooling education. He is a talented fiddle player and is excited to see a new side of the creative process by joining the Commission.
This article appeared in the August 2016 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
