Executive Director, Erie Arts & Culture

Anne O'Dell stewards resources so people thrive. A purpose-driven leader and former classical musician, Anne knows first-hand the power the arts have to transform people's lives and communities. With over fifteen years of experience working in local arts agencies and organizations in the Washington, DC region, she brings skills of consensus and coalition building, creating an organization that supports well-being, program development and expansion, and prioritizing equitable access to resources to Erie and the region EAC serves.

Anne obtained her Master of Music at George Mason University and Master of Art, Arts Management at the University of Oregon, where she learned how to equitably plan and build community through arts and culture. Anne is a certified Yoga Instructor, author of the book, "The Nonviolent Organization: How to be kind at work and how work can be kind to the world," and hosts the podcast, "The Nonviolent Organization."

Retired, Vice President Creative Services Erie Insurance

A native of Erie PA, Rich attended public schools and from very early on (like second grade) had the very good fortune of having art instructors that took an interest in his talent. He studied under VJ Kaiser, a well-known Erie watercolorist, in High School and created a portfolio that allowed him to be accepted at the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). There he obtained a BFA in Illustration and a minor in advertising.

He was hired at Erie Insurance as a Graphic Artist in 1984 and worked his way to becoming the VP of Creative Services and had a wonderful creative career that lasted nearly 40 years. Now retired and an active member of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artist Assoc., he's returned to creating fine art with pastels, watercolors, and gouache.

Owner, Anansi Collaborations

Marquis Wallace, observing a lack of diversity in his hometown’s art scene and a one-sidedness to Black history as it is being taught, jumped at the opportunity to become a teaching artist for East Middle School in 2018. After producing several unique educational programs, Wallace, a serial entrepreneur, established Anansi Collaborations to connect diverse teaching artists with schools and community organizations in Western Pennsylvania.

Marquis is an interdisciplinary conceptual artist, surfs the natural tides of a learning environment to manifest unique learning outcomes for his students. He carries empathy into his arts education endeavors where he uses his interdisciplinary mindset to identify novel opportunities for integrative experiences, such as chess moves taught through dance and geometry through self-portraiture. He produces intergenerational, collaborative work as he contextualizes social issues by tying in historical narratives while engaging such mediums as dance, performance art, digital art, experiential and process art, and installation.