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
As an artist, Sarah has been beading for the last 18+ years. As ‘Bead by Beardslee,’ Sarah participates in many shows throughout New England. 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
friends. Sarah is the current Chair of Beadesigner International (The New England Bead Society), and is a founding member of Arts Collaborative Medford. She is also a musician, specializing in Early Music(Baroque & Renaissance), and has been playing the recorder and singing for more than 50 years. Sarah, who has served as President of Arts Medford since 2021, was the president from 2015-2018, co-president in 2020, organizes art displays in City Hall, and continues to help out the organization with whatever is needed. As part of ArtsMedford, Sarah will continue to advocate for the arts in Medford, helping to create art events in the community.
Celia Lee: Treasurer
Celia is a mechanical engineer, artist, and general maker. She currently designs CAD software as her day job. In her free time, she mostly makes jewelry and crochets, but she also has a 3D printer that is starting to work its way into her projects. She is also a STEM supporter and volunteers her time teaching robotics and makerspace classes. She is the current treasurer of ArtsMedford as well as a member of the Mystic Makerspace steering committee. Celia is also a board member of Arts Collaborative Medford.
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.
Rita Ortolino-Dioguardi: Clerk
Rita Ortolino-Dioguardi, a talented collage and quilt artist, has been creating collage
art since a young girl. What started as childhood art projects has bloomed into
unique and colorful pieces of art. These stunning images are spontaneous
creations. Her paper collages are created by ripping, not cutting, simple splashes
color from magazines and glossy advertisements and her quilts are born from
simple scraps of material. Each piece of art is given a witty name that helps bring
the creation to life. Rita has participated as an art vendor in many locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For over 50 years she has been vending at Fenway Park as self employed, selling, and conversing with the public.
Rose Lambias
Rose Lambias is a long time Medford resident and real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate. She has been a member of ArtsMedford since 2017 and a board member for the past 3 years. Rose is a self-taught artist dabbling in both watercolors and acrylics. She has combined her love of real estate and her craft to create renditions of homes as closing gifts for clients. In addition she enjoys camping and many of her paints are inspired by the great outdoors. Some of her work can be found on her Instagram account roselambiasartist and on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseLambiasArts. As a board member Rose would assist ArtsMedford in keeping our social media accounts active, increase membership and help organize art exhibits.
Karen Poon
Karen is a visionary artist raised in Hong Kong and currently living in Medford.
She moved to the States in 2015, she now works in the affordable housing sector while sharing her love of creating art with the community.
Karen’s intention is to cultivate a friendly, calm, and vibrant environment with her
artwork and she enjoys contributing to the Medford community.As a member of ArtsMedford and neighboring groups. She is part of various group shows and projects such as the Switch Box Painting. She also attends art fairs, like the Pancake and Booze Art Show, and Hearts and Craft Fair, with paintings, handmade products and plants. She also has extensive experience in exhibition management, engineering, customer service, and project management
Jim Smith
Jim Smith has been interested in the image arts since learning to
develop and enlarge his B&W photos as a young photographer in
elementary school. His eye is drawn to images that invite you to think
a bit differently than usual. For that reason, Jim is always intrigued b
views that juxtapose impressions of everyday items and scenes
presented in unusual contexts. Along with his partner Shirley Ware,
Jim is also the founder and editor of FRESH! Literary Magazine, a
journal of the writings of a wide range of poets and authors fro
around the world, published online and in print.
Jim served on the board of ArtsMedford from 2014-2016, and he was
instrumental in various art projects, including our Medford Arts Center
at Meadow Glen, the mobile community arts vehicle, MARV, and
establishing the Mystic Maker Space
Catie Woodbury
Growing up in a family of artists, Catie was provided w
experiences of being able to create in a multitude of outlets. Having
gained this knowledge, after graduating from Revere High School
she went to Lesley University to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design.
Using her degree, she hopes to own her own graphic design fir
doing business identity work. In addition to her work, she enjoyed
digital illustration and photography. Being on the board, I hope t
bring a light to the work of other young artists in Medford an
contribute to a consistent contribution to accessible design
Cheryl Woodbury
Cheryl Woodbury grew up in Medford and graduated from Medford High
School. During my school years the availability of arts in the schools
dwindled significantly. My first exposure to making art was through
grandfather, Jeremiah Leonard. He was a lifelong artist and my sibling
and I would go to his house where he would have us making art not only
with paints, but also with silly putty and the Sunday comics. When h
moved in with us when I was very young, he started offering art and music
lessons at my elementary school. Every week he would visit a different
classroom and give a drawing lesson and then play the piano. I would like
to make sure that art and music stay available to the youth of Medford
and surrounding towns. I really started my current art journey when my
girls were young. I returned to college and graduated from UMass Boston
with a degree in studio art. The area I focused on was painting, using bot
acrylic and oil paints. I continued to take classes through MassAr
summer programs and during the pandemic, I started experimenting wit
mixed media. I have participated in many craft shows and more recent
through Arts Medford, I have displayed my work at Medford City Hall, the
Beebe Estate and I am also going to be part of the Art Walk Medford this
June. I am happy to help with any programs that the Board comes up with
and in time to develop ideas for new programs.