ArtsMedford is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We hold meetings of the board of directors every month, usually on a weekday evening. We invite you to attend and participate in our meetings, although non-board-members cannot vote or set policy. The board is re-elected annually. If you would like to consider joining us, we would be pleased to hear from you!
Sarah Beardslee: President
Sarah and her daughter Kayla learned to bead together a number of years ago. As Beads by Beardslee, Sarah participates in Arlington and West Medford Open Studios, as well as other shows in the area. Her artwork can be found in many galleries and shops in the region. She has taught beading classes for many years, and loves interacting with everyone and meeting new friends. Sarah was elected to the board in 2014 and has served as president for several non-consecutive terms.
Celia Lee: Treasurer
Celia makes jewelry, quilts, and–for extra fun–programs robots. First elected to the ArtsMedford board in 2016, she was a core member of the MARV working group and is an essential member of the Mystic Makerspace steering committee.
Mike Oliver
For a number of years Mike, a lifetime member of Arts Medford, has been active with many Medford organizations, such as the Royal House, MBELT, The Medford Historical Society, and CACHE. He was president of Arts Medford (then MACI) from 2013 – 2066. Currently he is the acting chairperson of the Chevalier Theatre Commission. Several years ago, he formed the Coffee Shop Artists, a group from Medford, Malden and Melrose, which has produced numerous shows at the Beebe Estate in Melrose and Commerce Place in Malden.
Allison Stroh Rabin: Clerk
Allison an artist and art therapist who has been involved in the Medford arts scene since 2010, when she worked at Outside the Lines (OTL) Studio (an art studio day program for artists with disabilities). She also joined the CACHE board and helped develop the first Mystic Arts Festival, and assisted an OTL artist in volunteering at West Medford Community Center. At her group practice in Salem, Allison has worked as the Community Art Liaison, helping make connections with the community to help promote arts and therapeutic relationships to work towards mental health and social justice goals. As a board member of ArtsMedford, Allison is interested in creative community projects and experiences to help us connect and heal.
Jason Rabin
Jason is a writer, musician, performer, and arts advocate. He grew up performing in ocal community theater on the north shore and working as a teaching artist with the youth theater program “Rebel Shakespeare Company.” His professional background includes arts-related freelance writing, including serving as an arts editor and theater critic for Blast: Boston’s Online Magazine, and his current position as a grants writer for a non-profit organization. Jason is particularly drawn to ArtsMedford’s mission of accessibility and inclusion. He is interested in helping to expand the organization’s involvement in performing arts, and in helping to use the arts to strengthen our community by facilitating the sharing of local stories and reflection on pressing community issues.
Ruth Youngblood
Ruth is a lifelong West Medford resident, who grew up and raised two children here. She has been creating lovely 3D cards for several years. She uses a fairly simple method involving multiple layers of printed paper, but it gives spectacular results, When she began making cards she gave them to family and friends, but they encouraged her to start selling them too. She hears from many people that they bought cards meaning to give them to others but then couldn’t part with them! Because she has spent her entire life in Medford, Ruth knows almost all the long-term residents in her neighborhood, and she’s seen a lot of changes come to the area. She brings the wisdom of that knowledge to the ArtsMedford board. Ruth worked for many years with special needs students, and continues to volunteer for many community causes. working with people and “making things happen.”