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ABOUT

Sweetwater Center for the Arts

About us

Sweetwater Center for the Arts is the creative cornerstone for the communities west of Pittsburgh and beyond, providing transformative artistic experiences for every age, ability, and skill level. Our multidisciplinary classes, events, and experiences allow community members and artists to explore their creativity and find their voice. Access to the arts and creative self-expression is essential for individual well-being and community growth. By providing professional development for artists and vibrant arts programming for the public, we help build a stronger, more connected creative community.

Led by local teaching artists, our programs focus on visual arts and expand to include everything from jazz concerts to cooking classes. Our historic facility hosts exhibitions, ceramics and metals studios, camps, festivals, and spaces specifically designed to support people of all learning styles and abilities. We also partner with local schools, lead programs for seniors and at-risk youth, and use our mobile art unit, Sweet Ride, to bring arts experiences directly to the community.

Over the past fifty years, Sweetwater Center for the Arts has transformed from a passion project of three visionary women into a thriving regional hub committed to expanding public access to the arts and supporting local artists for decades to come.

Four young children playing at Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Sweetwater’s Mission

Sweetwater Center for the Arts is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Our mission is to provide transformative artistic experiences for the communities west of Pittsburgh and beyond. By offering vibrant arts programming for every age, ability, and skill level and professional development for artists, we help build a stronger, more connected creative community.

Board of Directors

Terri Tunick

Terri Tunick

President

Terri’s background in healthcare management and education as well as non-profit fundraising affords her the perspective that she plans to rely on as a board member. As the current President of the Board, Terri wants to see Sweetwater Center For the Arts thrive as a welcoming and inclusive sanctuary for individuals and families to enjoy, learn and create.

Tracey Staley

Vice President

Vice President Human Resources

Tracey Staley is a business executive who has held executive Human Resources positions with the JM Smucker Company, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, US Steel, and Lockheed Martin.  Currently, Ms. Staley is HR Vice President for Spirax Sarco Engineering where she is responsible for talent strategies and programs for the Electrical Thermal Solutions division.  Ms. Staley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from American University and a Master of Science degree in human resources leadership from Rutgers University. Ms. Staley is committed to serving her community.  In addition to the Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Ms. Staley is an active board member of the Foundation Board of the Community College of Allegheny County, and the Autism Society of America. Ms. Staley and her husband, Mike, live in Sewickley, PA with their son, Jeff.

Josh Fogle

Treasurer

With over 20 years of experience in the banking industry, Josh brings deep financial expertise and strategic insight to Sweetwater Center for the Arts. As the Director of Treasury Management at S&T Bank, he leads the strategy, sales and operations for a wide range of treasury solutions, while also guiding the development and marketing of new products and services that support business clients across S&T’s footprint. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampden-Sydney College and Master of Business Administration from Robert Morris University and is originally from Virginia.

Bonita Lee Penn

Secretary

Managing Editor, Soul Pitt Quarterly Magazine

A Sewickley Native, Bonita Lee Penn is the literary programmer at the United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh, creative writing facilitator for the Madwomen in the Attic Creative Writing Workshops held through Carlow University, and managing editor at the Soul Pitt Quarterly Magazine. With a focus on poetry and an appreciation for visual arts, Penn brings her existing Pittsburgh arts and culture network to Sweetwater to help create a more intimate community.

Gary Bates

Gary Bates

Board Member

Gary Bates is an artist, art educator, and former arts administrator whose career highlights include serving as a past President of the New York State Art Teachers Association; President of The University Council for Art Education at Columbia University; Director of Art for the Lawrence Public Schools in Long Island, NY; and was awarded the New York State Art Educator of the Year for his work in education. He has been recognized in the art field on state and local levels as well as nationally for his contributions to the field by the National Art Education Association and as an artist, his work has been shown nationally and internationally. Since retiring and relocating to the Pittsburgh area several years ago, Bates has been an active Osher board member and study leader where he has served on various committees, including Curriculum, Nominating, Chairman of the Lecture Committee; and is the creator and chairman of Osher’s special interest group, Patron of the Arts.

Chris Chan

Chris Chan

Board Member

Director of Corporate Strategy at FNB Corporation

Chris Chan has been part of the SCA board since 2022. Chris is currently the Director of Corporate Strategy at FNB Corporation. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and is originally from Vancouver, Canada. Chris lives in Sewickley with his wife, Blair, and his two children, Felicity and Emmett.

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Marcie McClintic Coates

Board Member

James Craske

Board Member

James Craske, CFA is Senior Vice President and Director of Operational Risk and Support Services at First National Bank, bringing deep expertise in financial leadership, risk management, and organizational strategy. His career spans global wealth management, corporate strategy, and investment oversight, with a strong focus on operational excellence and long-term institutional stability. James lives in Sewickley with his wife, Blair, and their two children.

Shari Dearth

Board Member

Shari Dearth, former owner and president of Multimedia Unlimited in Robinson Township, graduated from Hiram College with degrees in both Economics and Management. A native of Ohio, she spent four years living in Germany with her husband and two sons. Her most recent adventures took her to Boston for two years before returning to the Pittsburgh area, where she is now happily a Sewickley resident.  Shari is a strong proponent of providing access to the arts and art education – especially to those who are underserved – and has been involved for years with a number of other nonprofits, including United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the American Heart Association, and the Sarah Heinz House

Melissa Ewen

Board Member

Melissa is an interior designer based in Sewickley, PA. Melissa’s first act of her career was spent in the corporate world working as an attorney and advisor to large companies looking to transform their businesses. A lifelong lover of art and design, Melissa harnessed her love of interiors and client service and launched her own Sewickley-based interior design firm in 2023. Her design aesthetic is a modern take on traditional interiors, having developed her eye for design over a lifetime, from attending school in Rome where she studied art and art history, to extensive her travels globally. She is passionate about bringing art–in all of its forms–to our community and is grateful to serve in advancement of Sweetwater’s mission.

Karen Zyck Galbraith

Board Member

A native of Chicago, Karen Zyck Galbraith received her doctorate in English Literature from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2012. She and her husband, Byron, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 2010 where he pursued his doctorate in Computational Neuroscience. Three wonderful children later, Karen and her family made the decision to move to the Pittsburgh area, where they quickly fell in love with Sewickley. Karen has experience in commercial insurance, marketing, teaching, and editing. She is active in the local community in many capacities and is currently a board member at several non-profits in Quaker Valley, including the Child Health Association of Sewickley, the Village Garden Club of Sewickley, and the Sewickley Civic Garden Council.

Kellé R. Gressem

Board Member

Kellé R. Gressem is a real estate sales leader with RE/MAX Select Realty, bringing more than two decades of experience in client advocacy, strategic relationship-building, and business development. In addition to her professional work, she is deeply engaged in the Pittsburgh community, most recently serving six years as a board member of Sister’s Place, where she supported programs focused on stability, empowerment, and long-term success for women and families. Kellé’s career reflects a strong commitment to service, collaboration, and strengthening the communities she serves.

Michael J. Hatcher

Board Member

Michael J. Hatcher is a retired senior executive with decades of leadership experience in finance, operations, and strategic development across major national organizations, including U.S. Steel, Marathon Oil, and the Frick Art & Historical Center. Since retiring, he has remained deeply engaged in the nonprofit community, serving on numerous boards and in leadership roles focused on arts, culture, education, and community sustainability. Michael lives in Sewickley and brings a strong commitment to governance, financial stewardship, and mission-driven service to the organizations he supports.

Stephen X. Hunter

Stephen X. Hunter

Board Member

Vice President of Innovation at Allegheny Health Network

Stephen has experience in strategic planning, entrepreneurialism, and community outreach. He describes his role at the health system as breathing new life into a closed hospital to serve a community. With a concentration on higher education and a passion for supporting his community, Hunter plans to bring his ability to pitch to other companies and utilize grant opportunities to help fund and expand Sweetwater’s resources beyond Sewickley.

Tiana Jordan

Board Member

Tiana Jordan is a native of the Sewickley area. She attended the Quaker Valley school district before graduating from Lock Haven University with a Bachelor of Art in Interdisciplinary in Studies. She still lives in the area with her family and they love to travel and learn new things. Tiana is passionate about children’s safety and development and has committed both her professional and personal life to this end. Tiana’s hobbies are music and sports. 

Chad Kanick

Board Member

Senior Director, Business Insights and Reporting, Lark Health

Chad joined the SGA board in 2023. He has deep connections to the area, having grown up in West Virginia, and he received degrees from both WVU and PITT. Chad currently leads a data team at Lark Health, a digital health startup that is based in San Francisco. He loves modern art, live music, competitive sports, and dogs. He recently moved to Sewickley with his wife, Suzanne, and daughter, Amara.

Stacey Neilson

Board Member

Stacey Neilson holds a BFA degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute and has spent many years in advertising, marketing, and sales all over the country. A professional 2D artist, she has been involved in Sweetwater classes since her arrival in Sewickley in 2018. Her unique style of oil painting, in which she combines her experience in graphic design with fine art, has earned her an established customer base that continues to grow and thrive via client referrals. In addition to these accomplishments, Stacey is mom to a terrific 11 year old boy and a sweet Great Dane named River. She is a certified yoga instructor and is involved with several other non-profits, including KIVA, FAPE, the Village Garden Club of Sewickley, and the Sewickley Community Center.

Jennifer Crawford Young

Jennifer Crawford Young

Board Member

Director of Donor Engagement at RMU

Jennifer Young joined the SCA board in 2022. After growing up in the Sewickley area, she attended and graduated from Pennsylvania State University, Behrend. She returned to Pittsburgh and worked in the food distribution sector for a few years before joining Robert Morris University in 2007. She is currently the director of donor engagement for RMU and facilitates numerous projects for the university. Since joining the SCA board, she has headed the development committee.

Sweetwater Staff

Christine Brondyke

Christine Brondyke

Executive Director
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Christine brings over 15 years of patron stewardship, fundraising, and event management experience to the role of Executive Director. Whether she is in the office, out with a supporter or on the baseball field cheering for QV, she is constantly advocating for Sweetwater and the Sweetwater community. A proud Sewickley resident, Christine is raising her two sons, Wesley and Daniel, in the village.

Denise Ditrich

Director of Finance & Operations
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Denise Ditrich relocated to Pittsburgh in 1998, and has been working for Sweetwater for the past 17 years. She has a BS in Accounting from Penn State University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University. As a CPA, Denise runs her own Accounting and Tax business. If Denise is not coaching on a soccer field, you can find her in the stands supporting her son in basketball, volleyball and track. Denise resides in Moon Township with her husband, Bill and 3 children, Alexis, Andrew & Grant.

Liana Agnew

Liana Agnew

Director of Artistic Advancement
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Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Liana holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University (2021) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (2015). Outside of Sweetwater, Liana is also a ceramic artist, educator, arts advocate, and outdoor enthusiast.

Saige Baxter

Director of Community Engagement & Education
Email Saige

Saige Baxter, a native to Pittsburgh, has pursued her love for education and the arts for a decade in and outside of the city. She received her bachelor degree in Studio Art from Seton Hill University and then went on to earn her graduate degree in Teaching from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Since being named “Emerging Artist of Pittsburgh” in 2019, Saige Baxter has continued her career in visual arts and displayed her work in Manhattan, NYC for the Every Woman Biennial exhibit in 2024. Saige’s experience as a school teacher, working for education programs and being a welding instructor in makerspaces drives her passion to develop educational opportunities for youth and adult communities in and around Pittsburgh. A few of her community projects include Messejana’s women welding workshop in Portugal, Stamped advocacy project with PAAR, COVID-19 mask designs and distribution with (mask)MAKERS PGH and curating Woodland Hill’s district wide 2023 art show at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

Andrea Ruotolo

Andrea Dugan

Manager of Development & Fundraising Events
Email Andrea

Andrea graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts. Andrea is most excited to return to the art industry after working in multiple industries accruing customer service experience. A Jersey girl who found her new home here in Pittsburgh, she is looking forward to planting roots at Sweetwater along with her husband, Christian and son, Luke.

Elizabeth Sorensen

Program Manager

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Elizabeth is originally from the mountains of West Virginia and later relocated to Pittsburgh. She earned her BFA in Studio Art from Fairmont State University, followed by a Master’s degree in Arts Leadership & Cultural Management from Colorado State University. With many years of experience teaching art in nonprofit settings, Elizabeth brings both passion and expertise to her work. When she’s not checking in on the studios at Sweetwater, you can usually find her by the water with her dog, Mowgli, or out enjoying everything the city has to offer.

Anna Farinelli

Office & Communications Coordinator
Email Anna

Anna is the Communication and Office Coordinator at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she earned her BFA in Graphic and Interactive Design from Edinboro University. Anna oversees Sweetwater’s visual communications, social media, and day-to-day front office operations—ensuring that every visitor call, message, and interaction feels welcoming and informed. She is passionate about exploring new creative mediums, and when she’s not at Sweetwater, she can be found enjoying the outdoors with her partner, Alex. 

Erin Mangan

Community Outreach Coordinator
Email Erin

Sewickley native Erin Mangan joins Sweetwater as Community Outreach Coordinator after earning degrees in Art History (BFA) and Spanish (BS) from Ohio University. With a background in the service industry and a deep enthusiasm for the arts, Erin is thrilled to help expand Sweetwater’s reach in the community. Outside of work, she’s an avid arts supporter and proud cat mom to Khilala.

Entrance to Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Our History

Sweetwater began as a grass-roots effort developed by community residents and initially offered a small number of classes in the fine arts and crafts for residents in local communities west of Pittsburgh. After receiving nonprofit and certified teaching institute status on October 22 1974, Sweetwater opened its doors in January 1975 and began operating as a full-service arts education facility. In 1987, Sweetwater moved from a small Victorian house into its current space in the Old Sewickley Post Office building — where it is uniquely situated on the periphery of Pittsburgh with easy access to many areas that traditionally have not had the opportunity to experience the high quality arts and cultural programming that Sweetwater offers. For the past 45 years, Sweetwater has been a cornerstone in the Sewickley community and continues to be committed to programming unique and innovative experiences in the fine and performing arts.

Sweetwater’s Founding Patrons

Mr. & Mrs. William Boyd
Mr. & Mrs. J. Judson Brooks
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Chalfant
Child Health Association
Mr. & Mrs. Clinton L. Childs, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Frederic L. Cook
Mr. & Mrs. William D. George, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Krome George
Mr. & Mrs. W. D. George, III
Mr. Francis Gerald
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Hall
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur F. Hetherington, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Arthur F. Hetherington, III
Mrs. James H. Higgins
Mr. & Mrs. B. F. Jones, III
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lockhart, III
Mr. & Mrs. William Metcalf, III
Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Muse, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Fredrick Okie, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. David B. Oliver, II
Mr. & Mrs. George Oliver

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Oliver
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Oliver, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Frederic C. Paffard, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Pearson
Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Ramsburg, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Henry O. Rea
Mrs. M. Pollard Rea
Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Richardson, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. R. S. Risien
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander L. Robinson
Rockwell Foundation
Mrs. J.M. Schoonmaker, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. G. Harton Singer, III
Mr. & Mrs. G. Whitney Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Snyder, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Snyder, III
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Snyder IV
Mr. & Mrs. William L. Standish
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wardrop
Mrs. Mary Wardrop
Mr. & Mrs. James W. Wilcock