Meet the Staff
Elisabeth Setten
executive director
415.451.8119 x702
elisabeth@artworksdowntown.org
Elisabeth is passionate about the visual arts and is committed to the vision that creative cultural environments are essential to society’s well-being. Elisabeth has 25+ years of experience managing diverse real estate holdings and communities and is currently a board member with the San Rafael Business Improvement District, the Downtown San Rafael Arts District, and the Dia de Los Muertos Organizing Committee. Elisabeth spent her childhood in San Francisco with her artist family and later attended high school, college, and graduate school in Boston. She is an avid gardener and currently resides on a 3-acre organic farm.
Stan Gibbs
program manager
415.451.8119 x701
stan@artworksdowntown.org
Stan Gibbs, has been a cornerstone of Art Works Downtown since 2001, where he manages office operations, exhibits, events, and programing. Having had a decade-long studio practice, Stan has painted murals and contributed various albums, alongside serving as president of the Business Improvement District and volunteering for AlterTheater. He finds creative solace in both music and painting, and cherishes moments with family while appreciating the vibrant offerings of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Kieran Strachan
gallery host
Humanity’s ability to communicate before written language was first done through visual story telling. Everyone has a story to tell and it takes work to create it. Artwork in the modern day is sometimes questioned for its value in society. Yet if you talk to artists, thinkers and creatives, it is a driving force that empowers them and others to keep telling their stories. Art came first before cities and farms, it is necessary to have as a species to bring up hard topics or show the truth of beauty in nature. It is a way to circle back to the meaning beyond our day to day lives, or just a whimsical take on imaginative creativity.
A painter and Illustrator, I create from life, drawing from nature and portraits. In staying current, I study animation in 3D and 2D digital art, as well as make my own masks, sculptures and 3D prints! My website is: www.kieranstrachan.com
Christine Santos
program assistant
Christine Santos is a conceptual artist and researcher with a strong interest in community-driven art spaces. As an Art Works Downtown Program Assistant, she supports the administration of various art programs that aim to foster creative belonging and collaboration in Marin County. She is excited to contribute her art and professional experience as a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley Art Practice BA Program.
Learn more about her art practice here: csantos.xyz/work
Meet our Board
Barry Beach
Barry Beach is an artist, educator, and independent educational consultant who lives and works in San Rafael. Barry has been a studio artist at AWD since 2023 and loves the community of Art Works Downtown. "I joined the board to continue helping the organization grow San Rafael as an arts and culture district." His artwork can be viewed in-person at AWD and at www.barrybeach.co
Michael Berke
As a lover and supporter of the arts throughout my life, I am honored to help Art Works Downtown continue to thrive as the leader of the San Rafael arts community.
My background is in non-profit management and hold a Master of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University. Early in my career, I owned a local coffee company and as I was approaching mid-career, I made to the switch to my passion, working and giving back to the community. I was the director of the social enterprise center for Jewish Family and Children’s Services in San Francisco where we hired people with traditional barriers to employment, paid them a living wage and offered access to case workers to help with issues like childcare and housing.
I have lived in San Rafael since 2012 and enjoy travel, fly fishing, and all things relating to my 6-year-old granddaughter. I have volunteered for numerous non-profits including Project Open Hand, St. Anthony’s Kitchen and the San Francisco – Marin Food Bank.
Irene Bee Kain
Irene Bee Kain Bay Area Artist / Curator who happily fell head over heels with AWD a year ago. As an artist that wants everyone to be a successful artist AWD feels like the right fit and outlet for much success for all involved.
www.irenebeekain.com IG: @irene_beekain
Sara Gallagher
Sara is an artist, musician, teacher, and nonprofit leader.
Her art practice directly engages community members and aims to break social taboos around emotional and mental health. International acclaimed, her artworks have been exhibited across the Globe and are even included in the Lunar Codex - a cultural heritage site on the Moon! She teaches her technique and mentors individuals working towards a career in the arts.
Over the years, Sara has engaged in nonprofits in just about every way - as a co-founder, board member, volunteer, and employee. She is actively involved with the West Marin nonprofit, Halleck Creek Ranch, where she assisted in a $12M facility donation in 2023.
When she's not drawing, she is songwriting and performing with her country-folk band, "Sara & Jacob". They've toured internationally and can be seen at shows around the Bay Area often.
Sara is excited to bring her love of community, creativity, and the nonprofit world together through her service on the AWD Board of Directors. www.saragallagherartwork.com
Terry Lofrano
Terry Lofrano has served on the Art Works Downtown board for over a decade. He is principle of Lofrano Architecture Sculpture Design and a 43 year resident of San Rafael. Terry has been constantly involved with art from the earliest age. He is passionate about all art forms of art which lead him to begin his architectural practice before graduation from UC Berkeley. Terry works in the artistic media of sketching and sculpture as an adjunct to his architectural design practice. He created the epic Starry Night metal and cast glass sculpture for the past AWD fundraiser Starry Night. Terry leads the AWD building committee, has deep knowledge of our historic 1880’s building, and provides valuable expertise with all building related issues.
Jacqueline López
Jacqueline López is a multimedia artist and the creator of Shamanist Art, born on the border of Brazil and Paraguay. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Guarani, and English.
A former CPA-turned-artist and sacred plant activist focused on creative play through all art forms.
Using different mediums, Jacqueline unpacks her spiritual lineage through works that reclaim ancestral memory, hold space for reverence, and create uniquely Hispanic-Portuguese and Guarani indigenous iconography.
She teaches the art of mask-making, fashion design, and altar creation using a person's unique Natal Chart. Her teachings are hands-on techniques, visual storytelling, and practical design skills. She loves exploring obscure materials to create ethnic artistic expressions, empowering artists to innovate and connect with their cultural traditions.
Jacqueline is excited to be part of the Art Works Downtown board and is committed to supporting its mission of creating a sustainable environment in Marin where artists can thrive.shamanist.art
Suzanne Moreno Berke
I am delighted to introduce myself, Suzanne Moreno Berke. I am a dedicated wife, mother of two sons, and proud grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter. Through my life experiences, I have discovered that the most important aspects of life are health, family, friends, and purpose.
My purpose in life centers around three core values: Creativity, Diversity, and Tikkun Olam. Creativity, for me, is the use of imagination and original ideas. Diversity involves including people from various social, ethnic, gender, and different sexual orientations. Tikkun Olam is the Jewish concept of repairing the world. I seek these values in the organizations I support and the people I associate with. I am passionate about traveling, trying new foods, listening to music, dancing, and most of all, laughing out loud.
In recent years, I have been eager to get more involved in my community and I found the perfect opportunity through the arts. After attending several meetings, lunches, and social events, I discovered a community whose mission aligns with my own values. I am honored to have been asked to join the board of AWD, and I look forward to contributing my passion and skills.
Rachael Staudt, secretary
Rachael is a multiple media artist and the founder of Project Squeeble, which combines her love for creating monsters with her support for sustainability of all kinds. She is also working to create a community space for artists at her studio space in Sausalito.
Rachael grew up with an arts-focused childhood, but in her adulthood has broadened her analytical and business skills by acquiring a BS in Applied Mathematics, and then attending the Presidio Graduate School for a dual MBA and MPA.
Rachael is delighted to be a member of the Art Works Downtown board and is excited to support their mission of creating a sustainable environment in Marin where artists can thrive. www.projectsqueeble.com
Dan Teree
I am thrilled to be a part of AWD, which ensures artists and the broader Marin County community is awash in vibrant art experiences that enrich our lives. LI @danteree
Advisors
Judy Gum, CFO
Harry L. Caldwell IV
Duane M Conliffe
Donna Seager
Phyllis Thelen
Jay Yinger