Triangle Artworks Staff

Beth Yerxa is a white woman with glasses and blonde hair sitting on a gray sofa, smiling and resting her chin on her hand in a bright room with large windows.

BETH YERXA - Executive Director

  • Beth Yerxa has been involved in the arts community in the Triangle since 2001, when she was asked to serve on the Raleigh City Council’s Task Force created to write the initial Raleigh Public Art Policy and then appointed served on the Raleigh Arts Commission from 2003 to 2009, including three years as Chair.  Beth practiced environmental regulatory law and litigation for 13 years, most recently as a partner at Smith Helms Mullis and Moore in Raleigh.  She currently serves on the Board of Arts North Carolina.

Cynthia Deis is a white woman with curly black hair with blue highlights, wearing a denim shirt.

CYNTHIA DEIS - Artswell Education Director

  • Cynthia Deis is an artist, writer, arts educator and consultant with a lifetime of connections to the art and maker communities. A founder of the Pop-Up Raleigh Market, she can be found at art events of all levels, from black tie to untied sneakers. A graduate of the Ohio State University, she has made her home in the Triangle for over 20 years. Her career has ranged from non-profit arts organizations to for-profit crafts retail, with time spent in classrooms, art studios and on sound stages, but she is never far from her sketchbook or her notepad.

Tiffany Coley is a Black woman with black framed glasses, earrings, and braided hair, smiling at the camera against a plain background.

TIFFANY COLEY - Artswell Program Coordinator/Development Associate

  • Tiffany is a studio jeweler, metalsmith and arts business educator.  For the past 12 years, Tiffany has been making and selling her jewelry professionally.  Tiffany has sold her work in many stores across the country as well as at major retail shows such as One of a Kind Chicago.  She also participates in locally-curated markets because she enjoys being a maker and supporter in the thriving local art community.   As an educator, Tiffany has conducted jewelry making workshops at local Triangle businesses as well as in her art studio.  Most recently, she has become certified in the REAL curriculum, where she has co-facilitated three cohorts of arts entrepreneurs, through TAW.  She hopes to continue her passion of supporting artists through art business education.   

    Tiffany lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and 2 children.  She creates her work at her studio space in Durham, NC, where she also serves as artist liaison and organizes pop-up artists during monthly art walks on the Golden Belt campus.  Tiffany loves movies, podcasts, music and cheering on her NCSU Wolfpack.  When the weather is nice, you can find her exploring the many greenways and trails in our area.

Jennifer is a young fair-skinned woman with long black hair smiling on a boat with water and city buildings in the background.

JENNIFER CRUZ CIPRIAN Intern

  • Jennifer is a Peruvian artist and a senior student at Meredith College, working toward her BA in Studio Art. She loves museums, hands-on learning, and finding ways to connect with others through community-focused art. Before joining Triangle ArtWorks, Jennifer worked at Perez Art Museum and Vizcaya Museum in Miami

Mayanthi Jayawardina is a Southeast Asian woman with curly dark hair wearing a gold necklace and black blazer, standing in front of a brick wall.

MAYANTHI JAYAWARDENA - Marketing Coordinator

  • Mayanthi is the founder and artist behind Serendib Creative. Mayanthi channels her art through murals, children’s book illustrations, photography, graphic design and fine art. You can find many of Mayanthi’s murals and paintings throughout the Triangle area. Prior to becoming a full-time artist, Mayanthi worked in the field of sexual violence prevention & advocacy for over 9 years in higher education and with national leaders such as Tarana Burke. During her career she began using art as a form of healing. Through these experiences, she decided to take the leap to invest in herself and her art full time. Mayanthi has blended her art and her advocacy to continue to impact the communities she serves.

    While Mayanthi grew up in the Midwest, she has loved living in North Carolina and has lived in the Triangle area for many years, with Durham being her home since 2020.

Do you believe in our mission?

Apply Now

If you believe in our mission, please join our Board of Directors. By contributing your skills, you can help us better serve the Triangle arts sector.

Our Board of Directors adds new members during its Annual Meeting in July. Our Board commitment is three years, with 6 meetings in (January, March, May, July, September and November) of the full Board, and committee meetings in between. We are looking for new Board members who:

  1. Believe in the mission and work of Triangle ArtWorks.

  2. Are committed to building Triangle ArtWorks into a sustainable nonprofit, serving the Triangle arts sector into the future.

  3. Have skills to bring to the table, In particular, event planning, human resources, outreach/ marketing, design, and accounting/finance.

Board of Directors

Rick Bennet is a white man with glasses wearing a light blue dress shirt and a dark tie, standing outdoors with greenery and a house in the background.

RICK BENNETT

  • Rick Bennett grew up in the rural town of Arapahoe in eastern North Carolina. There, the Neuse River is 5 miles wide and he spent many hours barefoot on its banks. He has taught watercolor for 12 years at Pullen Arts Center, Cary Senior Center, and Elizbeth City.   In November of 2021 he left his job of 24 years as a customer service representative in a printing company to become a full-time artist. His work can be found in Belle Arts Gallery, Belhaven NC and Mattie King Davis Gallery, Beaufort NC.  He has lived in Raleigh since 1982. He enjoys gardening and has had city-chickens for 28 years.

    He has been a member and volunteer of VAE since 1989 and served as past board member and past president.  He is a board member of the Watercolor Society of NC and chair of the Permanent Collection Committee.  He is a member and volunteer of the NC Fossil Club, where he was a past board member and past president.

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QUIANNA LEWIS - Secretary

  • Raised in Durham, Quianna Lewis is a passionate advocate for justice and equity in the entertainment industry. A 2018 graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, she also holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from Elon University School of Law (December 2020) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Elon University (2024).  Quianna aims to utilize her JD and license to specialize in entertainment law, with a particular focus on supporting small businesses and managing intellectual property work. She hopes to work for an organization like SAG-AFTRA to ensure that entertainers receive fair representation and just treatment in the media space. In addition to her professional pursuits, Quianna volunteers her time with Kidznotes, Keep Durham Beautiful, and Restorative Justice Durham. She is an avid reader, podcast listener, and baker who enjoys trying new restaurants, attending musicals, and health and fitness.

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VICKI L REES - Vice Chair/SMASH! Co -Chair

  • Vicki Rees made art from a young age until after college. As she pursued her career in Human Resources, she moved from Indiana to Illinois, to Kentucky, and ultimately to North Carolina. What she didn’t do for 35 years was pick up a paintbrush.

    Several years before retirement Vicki felt the urge to create something other than a PowerPoint presentation and began anew her art education. In time, she began to exhibit her oil paintings in juried art shows and local venues, retired from the corporate world, and joined Tipping Paint Gallery. Today her base of operations is her home studio in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood. vlrees.com

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ANDREA DOBBIE - SMASH! Co-Chair

  • Andrea Dobbie brings a unique blend of financial acumen and artistic passion to the Triangle ArtWorks Board. Andrea works as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) at a public accounting firm in Raleigh, as well as pursuing her passion for ceramics in her spare time. With a background as a CPA and extensive experience as a ceramics artist and teacher, Andrea embodies a commitment to both the financial stewardship and creative vision essential for contributing to the Triangle ArtWorks mission. Her career journey integrates a deep understanding of fiscal responsibility with a profound appreciation for the arts, along with involvement in the local arts community, making her a valuable asset in fostering the board's mission to promote and support artistic excellence.

SUSAN JONES - Treasurer

  • Susan Jones has been a tax accountant with Hughes, Pittman, and Gupton, LLP since moving to Raleigh in the mid-‘90s. A graduated of Virginia Tech, she has been a life-long ‘creative’ even though her initial career choice was not art. Once she settled in the Triangle,  she took advantage of several area art offerings beginning with Meredith College, Wake Tech, UNC Botanical Illustration and Duke’s Documentary Studies, ending with NCSU’s College of Design where she completed her Masters in 2002. Photography is her main medium; she uses colored pencils to hand color black and white photographs. Over the years, she has volunteered as an event photographer for several non-profits and served on the Board of VAE as Treasurer. She also volunteered with Chatham County Animal Shelter and did animal rescue for many years. Susan was a co-owner of Tipping Paint Gallery and is currently working with several artists to move that gallery to a virtual format. Learn more about Susan’s work here on her website. 

BRIAN SULLIVAN - Past Chair

  • Brian is a partner with Wyrick Robbins and practices in the areas of venture capital, private equity, and general corporate and business law with a focus on growth stage companies, including early stage life science and technology companies. He advises companies and venture capital and private equity funds in matters ranging from initial formation and general corporate matters to financings and mergers & acquisitions. Brian earned his law degree with high honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a member of the Order of the Coif. He was a published member of the North Carolina Law Review and later served as the Publication Editor. Before law school, Brian spent two years working for a major international accounting firm in New York City. Brian graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Psychology. Brian is a longstanding and active member of Law + ArtWorks.

ROSALIE BOUCK

  • Rosalie Bouck is a narrative strategist, movement builder, and cultural theorist with a career dedicated to the intersection of justice, social transformation, and the humanities. She brings over two decades of experience leading nonprofit programs and campaigns, narrative development, and guiding organizations through periods of growth and reinvention. Currently, Rosalie works on the front lines of progressive fundraising and crafting strategic narratives and she is also a lecturer and writer whose work explores the mythic and philosophic roots of our political and cultural systems. With a PhD focus in counter-colonialist cultural narratives and a passion for both philosophical inquiry and grassroots action, Rosalie brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, creative rigor, and a deep belief in the arts as a catalyst for social change. 

SYDNEY GREENE - Chair

  • Sydney Greene is a multidimensional creative, storyteller, and birth doula based in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a background in journalism, political advocacy, and public policy, Sydney has brought her creative expertise and deep knowledge of communications and social media strategy to local and statewide political campaigns, news organizations, progressive issue-based campaigns, and more.

    At the beginning of her career, Sydney was a reporter covering issues like politics, policy, and culture for newsrooms like Teen Vogue, USA Today, Texas Monthly, and The Texas Tribune. Sydney then went into the world of politics and advocacy, specifically helping youth activists tap into their creativity and artistry to help move their communities to action and create social change at the local, statewide, and federal level. Sydney founded the brand and creative partnerships program at Advocates for Youth, leading the expansion of the organization’s brand through influencer, brand, and celebrity partnerships, experiential online & offline campaigns and activations, and artist commissions and collaborations. Recently, Sydney transitioned into the philanthropy sector, helping foundations, philanthropic asset owners, and other organizations deploy their capital for social and environmental change. Sydney also served as a board member and Culture and Operations Officer at Future Front Texas, an Austin-based organization that nurtures creativity, community-building and professional resilience among women and queer creatives, founders, and leaders in Texas. At Future Front, she helped curate and produce the organization's annual exhibitions, The Front Festival and The Front Market, along with other community events such as panels, annual fundraisers, and conferences.

    Using her authenticity, intuition, and curiosity to guide her interests and passions, Sydney connects to her creativity in a myriad of ways — through curating and writing her newsletter, "The Greene Room," continuing her lifelong dance practice, expanding her passion for interior decorating, and whatever else feels called to practice in the moment. Sydney's love for the arts comes from her childhood, where exploring her creativity and artistry was deeply valued and encouraged by her parents, and she continues to weave that into adulthood by supporting artists and creatives in her community.

BABETTE STONE

  • Babette Stone has been in banking over 38 years in various roles at various financial institutions.  She currently oversees and approves both large commercial and industrial loans and large commercial real estate loans.  She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.  She also completed the North Carolina Banking School, and earned her graduate banking degree through the ABA Stonier Banking School at the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania.

    Babette currently serves on the Board of Centrant, which provides financing for low income and senior housing, and the finance committee for Triangle Dress for Success.  She also serves in several capacities for RMA (The Risk Management Association).  She is on the Board of the Triangle Chapter of RMA, and has served as the Secretary, Vice President, and President, as well as chairperson of various committees.  She is also the Past President of the Carolinas-Virginias Chapter of RMA, having served as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and also as chairperson of various committees.  Babette is on RMA’s National Chapter Development Council, and previously served on the National Chapter Leadership Development Committee.  She has been a member of TCREW (Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women), having previously won its CREW Networking Award.

    Babette has been a high performance driving instructor for several driving schools at various road courses along the East Coast.  Although she loves to drive fast, her passion for art began with her grandmother, a lifetime North Carolina painter, as well as her great aunt, who was heavily involved as a poet in the North Carolina Poetry Society.  Babette loves both – to draw and to write poetry, and she continues to support local theater in the Triangle area.

MARK TULBERT

  • Mark Tulbert recently retired after 31 years working with the arts programs at NC State University. In his first 23 years at the university, Mark was part of the small but mighty team of the NC State LIVE series that built a performing arts program recognized nationally for innovative, challenging, artistically excellent, and culturally diverse programming. In 2016, Mark became director of arts marketing at NC State, building on his years of experience as a connector in the arts, sharing the stories of the role of the arts at a major university best known for its STEM-focused research, and reaching new audiences for all six of the visual and performing arts programs at the institution.

    Mark’s first job in arts administration was a three-month position with Arts Access (that was all they had funds for) as their first staff member and the coordinator of the new-to-Raleigh audio description service. By the time the brief position with Arts Access was ending, he found a full-time position with the nascent United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Two years later, a dream opportunity came along when he joined the staff of the performing arts series at NC State.

    Over the years, Mark has served as a board member for the North Carolina Presenters Consortium, Raleigh Little Theatre, and the North Carolina Master Chorale. In 2024, he was delighted to be named a recipient of the Raleigh Medal of Arts, presented by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission.

ANDREW ZERFASS

  • Andrew is an attorney with Wyrick Robbins and practices in the area of investment funds. He advises institutional investors and sponsors of private investment funds on fund formation, governance, structuring, regulatory compliance and related matters. He serves on the firm’s Community Engagement Committee supporting local nonprofit initiatives through pro bono and volunteer work. Andrew received his J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where he was a staff writer and notes editor for the USC Spotlight Entertainment Law Journal. Prior to law school, he received his B.A. in music, magna cum laude, from Winthrop University.

LANA DENNIS

  • Lana first got involved in the Triangle arts community in 2016 as an Arts Administrator for a local nonprofit. In that role she organized film screenings, dance and art classes, and community celebrations, among many other arts events. She enjoys building community, supporting local talent and bringing international art to the Triangle. Lana is the immediate past chair of Durham’s Public Art Committee, where she provided direction and concise actionable items for task forces to move their major initiatives forward. A lover of dance and all things craft, in her spare time she can be found working on a knitting project, soldering some metal, dancing in the kitchen, or learning yet another craft.

RACHEL NUNN - Fundraising Chair

  • Rachel Nunn is an artist-administrator from Wake Forest, NC. Raised in the Triangle theatre scene, she holds a deep appreciation for the importance of community arts ecosystems. She holds BAs in English and Theatre from William Peace University in Raleigh, and an MFA in Arts Leadership from Virginia Tech. She currently works as the Director of the ArtSchool Program at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, where she oversees 400+ adult art classes a year and works with 60+ teaching artists. She is an actor, director, and backstage jack-of-all-trades; you may have seen her in productions at Raleigh Little Theatre, Bare Theatre, Theatre in the Park, or Theatre Raleigh. In her free time she is proud to volunteer with Seed Art Share, a local theatre nonprofit that helps provide childcare for actors and theatre patrons. Rachel lives with her husband, cat, and dog in a co-housing complex in Durham, where she leads her community's Outreach Team, helping connect members with activism opportunities in Durham and beyond.

EILEEN BAGNALL - SMASH! Co-Chair

  • Eileen Bagnall is a dedicated arts advocate committed to expanding access to the arts for people with disabilities. Throughout her career, she has specialized in developing and implementing inclusive programming that removes barriers and creates meaningful opportunities for audiences of all abilities to engage with the arts.

    An experienced audio describer, Eileen has provided live and recorded audio description for more than 500 performances across the United States. Her work has helped make theater, dance, music, and other cultural experiences accessible to blind and low-vision patrons.

    An Advisory Board member for the office of Access/VSA at the John F. Kennedy Center, Eileen holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre Management and Art History from University of Arizona. Drawing on her background in arts administration, accessibility, and audience development, she continues to advocate for inclusive practices that ensure the arts are welcoming and accessible to everyone.

JASMINE BOYD

  • Jasmine Boyd is a Customer Success Manager in the technology industry, where she builds and sustains meaningful relationships with clients through intentional partnership and strategic support. Her professional foundation began in the fashion and textile industry at globally recognized companies including Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret, and Avery Dennison where she developed a deep appreciation for the intersection of design, development, and business.

    A graduate of North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles, Jasmine has called the Raleigh area home since 2019. Equally important to Jasmine is the work of showing up for people. She co-facilitates a women’s mental health group at her local church, and has mentored students through NC State’s Mentorship Program. She is passionate about ensuring that artists in the Triangle community have the visibility, resources, and support they need to thrive.

KATIE BROWN

  • Dr. Kathryn L. Brown (Lecturer, Entrepreneurial Studies in the Arts) teaches courses in arts marketing, arts venture planning, and introductory courses for students interested in exploring arts entrepreneurship as a potential career path at NC State. An active member of the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education since its inaugural conference (2013), Dr. Brown is a frequent conference presenter, served on the organization’s board of directors as Treasurer (2018-2021), and currently serves on the editorial board for the society’s peer-reviewed publication, The Journal of Arts Entrepreneurship Education.

    Dr. Brown’s artistic journey began as a toddler, playing around on her grandparents’ 1980s “house organ.” Dr. Brown received her Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in clarinet performance at the University of South Carolina. She has over twenty years of entrepreneurial experience as a freelance musician and private music teacher, performing with numerous professional orchestras across the southeast and teaching clarinet and piano lessons to young children, teens, and adults. Her proudest accomplishment, however, is probably getting her two spunky cats— Zoticus (“Zot”) and Eunice (“Yoonie”)— to finally co-exist without (too much) bloodshed.

LIZ ESTRADA

  • Liz Estrada brings a unique blend of experience working in the humanities and the nonprofit fundraising sector. Liz works as a fundraiser for a national based nonprofit and brings a wealth of experience in the development field through annual giving programs, sponsorship programs, individual giving, and more. She believes deeply in the power of storytelling to show impact and drive philanthropic support. Liz’s love for the arts began early in life, sparked by her grandmother taking her to museums, shows, and galleries around the state. She continues to incorporate art into her life as an adult and enjoys dabbling with watercolor in her free time. Liz holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification through CFRE International and a bachelor of science in mathematics from Guilford College. She also serves as Secretary on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Triangle Chapter.

NATHAN GOFF

  • Nathan Goff is a Raleigh based artist, entrepreneur, and Army veteran. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, his artistic practice focuses primarily on figurative work, exploring themes of identity and human experience through ceramic tile.

    A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Nathan served over five years as an Army logistics officer before transitioning into entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Nathan Goff Studio, an art and design studio creating handcrafted ceramic tile, architectural installations, and custom pieces; and Carolina Home Relief, a North Carolina real estate investment company focused on residential acquisitions and redevelopment.

    His experiences in the military, business, and the arts have given him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing working artists today. He is committed to supporting artists and contributing to the continued growth of the Triangle arts community.