Get to know the staff behind Richmond Art Center.
Marisa Burman
Ceramics Manager
Pronouns: she/her
Marisa Burman has managed the ceramics studio, and taught classes and workshops at Richmond Art Center since 2014. She loves making and using handmade objects, working with porcelain, and teaching people about all things clay. She is passionate about the power of the material and the process to connect people, inspire beauty, and create positive social change.
Vicky Chen
Executive Director
Pronouns: she/her
Vicky Chen brings extensive experience in nonprofit management, arts education, and community engagement. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design. After moving to the Bay Area in 2007, she worked as a visual artist, printmaking and bookmaking instructor, and gallery associate at Pro Arts. She received several public art commissions and served two terms on the Alameda County Arts Commission’s Public Art Advisory Committee. Prior to joining Richmond Art Center, Vicky was the Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement at Children’s Fairyland, where she developed new programs in puppet education and expanded youth development initiatives. Her work focused on increasing access to quality family programming for underserved communities. She also produced community gatherings and cultural celebrations in collaboration with partner organizations, local artists and writers, creating opportunities to amplify diverse voices and build community.
Ilene Conde
Education Director
Pronouns: she/her/they
Ilene is passionate about the empowerment and enrichment of all communities through creative exploration, experience, expression, and education through art. She deeply values the impact of art as a reflection of our culture and the human condition. Ilene is an advocate for the reinterpretation of Art, Artifacts, and Historical Narratives that challenge the status quo within the intersections of our shared histories and cultures. She draws on her background in Art History, Museum Studies, and her unique teaching experience with kilnformed glass and art education.
Hazel Estrada
Visitor Services Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Hazel is a Richmond native who grew up surrounded by various forms of art, including painting, drawing, surrealism, graffiti, and charcoal art. Her visual arts hobbies include painting, photography, and drawing.
Monica Morazan
Gallery Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Monica was born in San Francisco and currently resides in Richmond. She has a love for languages, art, music, and culture. During her free time she enjoys reading, photography, and spending time with her family. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Saint Mary’s College of California. Monica strives to create a safe space for all to learn and appreciate the arts in all of its forms.
Elaine Moreno-Jolly
Education and Visitor Services Manager
Pronouns: she/her/they/them
Elaine Moreno is a Bay Area born and raised Visual Artist, primarily working with Film and Digital Photography. Elaine’s passion for the arts started at an early age, and brought her to California College of the Arts where she graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography and Visual Studies Minor. Elaine aims to give back to her community that helped propel her artistic journey in hopes to inspire and guide others along their artistic paths.
Carolyn Rodkin
Chief Financial Officer
Pronouns: she/her
For more than 25 years Carolyn has been in financial management for the software, high-tech, architecture and design industries and then for nonprofits. Perhaps more inspiring is Carolyn’s past life as a ceramic artist. Her work was featured in a two-year traveling exhibition “American Ceramics Now” and some of her pieces are in the George & Dorothy Saxe contemporary crafts collection. When she’s not working, she’s probably gardening or out walking in nature.
Annaliese Ruano
Youth Programs Manager
Annaliese is a Richmond native with an artistic background in painting and an academic pursuit in Health Sciences. Over time, she has expanded her artistic practice to include a variety of media, while working to integrate art and wellness within the Richmond community. Annaliese believes that Art Programming is one of the best ways to promote emotional and social wellness, outside of the traditional means. She is committed to using her talents and knowledge to put the A back in S.T.E.A.M and prove that Art IS public health.
annaliese@richmondartcenter.
Severo “Petey” Rodriguez
Facilities Coordinator
Pronouns: he/him
Severo is a native of Richmond and a graduate of Richmond High School. Severo loves traveling to his native country, Mexico to learn more about his culture and family. Severo joined the Richmond Art Center team as a volunteer, then soon after, he became an addition to our staff. Severo is very family oriented and enjoys sharing the Richmond Art Center with his family!
Amy Spencer
Exhibitions and Community Engagement Director
Pronouns: she/her
Amy Spencer has over fifteen years experience supporting community art at regional art centers, government entities and museums. This includes working as a community arts development coordinator at the Nevada Arts Council; and at Pro Arts in Oakland, where she managed exhibitions, communications and public programs, including East Bay Open Studios. Spencer holds a Master and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, Australia. A seminal role in her career was working at Injalak Arts—an indigenous enterprise in remote western Arnhem Land—where she experienced firsthand the vital role art can play in a healthy community.
