Our Board

Elaine Grisanti - Board President

Founder Elaine Grisanti is a professional artist and a retired alternate education teacher with a Master’s in Art Education from Buffalo State College with over 32 years of art experience, with a concentration in oil painting, acrylics, and pottery. Elaine is passionate about sharing her knowledge and love for art with others, and she believes in the power of art to inspire creativity and bring communities together. Since founding Community Canvases, Elaine has facilitated the creation of over 35 murals, painted signal boxes and public art installations throughout WNY. Elaine serves as President of the Wests Side Taxpayers and Business Association and is a Board member of the Italian Cultural Festival. For 13 years, Elaine volunteered with Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts.
 

Ian Ko - Treasurer

Ian is a graduate of UB’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and School of Management. Ian specializes in corporate accounting and management systems, accounts payable, accounts receivable, contract dissemination, and data analytics. Ian enjoys volunteering for our local community because of his belief that everyone can make it better.
 

Lourdes Vera - Secretary

Dr. Lourdes Vera is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Sociology and Environment & Sustainability at SUNY University at Buffalo. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Northeastern University and is a former high school science teacher. As an environmental sociologist and civic scientist, she works with communities near industrial activity such as fracking to monitor their air for contaminants. She also serves on the Coordinating Committee of the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, envisioning and building digital tools and research infrastructures for environmental data justice. Her interdisciplinary work spans environmental health, social science, and critical theory.
 

Alisha Collins - Member

Alisha is a brand and digital design strategist. She started Be Femme Fitness, an organization that educates, promotes, inspires and creates oppHERtunities for diverse female entrepreneurs. She manages the Lish Agency and the brand Cafe+CZEN.
 

Jalen Law - Member

Jalen has been an artist since the age of four. He’s always been interested in different forms of creation, including painting, drawing, and sculpting. His first mural was a City of Buffalo initiative to honor essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic — the piece was a 5’X10’ aluminum panel honoring doctors and nurses. Then, the Niagara Falls Heritage Center approached him about creating a portrait for their Niagara Falls Murals initiative, leading him to create his Calvin “Pop” Porter mural. Common themes in Jalen’s work include utilizing technology and digital arts, including audio and video stimulation, to allow all types of people to engage with his pieces. Currently, he is working on a research-based art program called the Emotional Intelligence Program to equip students with social and emotional tools that will assist them inside and outside of the classroom. Jalen's work can be found at The Jalen Law Collection.
 

Jenna Brinkworth - Member

Jenna Brinkworth, BS, TTS is a Community Outreach and Engagement Manager at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in civic engagement and public health advocacy. She has successfully brought together diverse organizations and individuals to advance chronic disease prevention and tobacco control efforts. Jenna’s recent initiatives focus on the environmental impact of tobacco, the rising prevalence of youth e-cigarette use, and addressing tobacco-related disparities. Dedicated to creating a healthier, tobacco-free future, Jenna continues to lead impactful outreach programs, policy initiatives, and education efforts that promote lasting public health improvements.
 

Julianna Casella - Member

Julianna recently earned her PhD at the University at Buffalo in School and Counseling Psychology. She was the president of the Counseling, School and Educational Psychology Graduate Student Association and a coordinator for the Future Faculty Interest Group for the National Association of School Psychologists.  Julianna is a Long Island native living in Amherst, NY. Julianna is passionate about Community Canvases' work to foster community engagement and feelings of belonging through the arts especially with youth. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, listening to Taylor Swift, and going for walks by the water.
 

Matt Jackson - Member

As a 2023 graduate of UB's School Psychology Program, Matt works as a School Psychologist at Amherst Central School. Matt lives in the city of Buffalo and enjoys spending time with his loving family and friends. Matt enjoys working with Community Canvases, its volunteers, and partnering with community members to promote engagement through the arts. When he isn't at school or volunteering, you can find him trying new restaurants, walking or riding his bike around new neighborhoods, or enjoying a picnic in Delaware Park.
 

Mark Talley - Member

Mark Talley, an accomplished author and advocate, is deeply committed to enhancing his community. He is the founder of Agents For Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that tackles systemic inequalities. Mark's book, "5/14 - The Day the Devil Came to Buffalo," illuminates their personal journey following their mother's experience as a victim of a terrorist attack. Through unwavering resilience, determination, and a strong dedication to social justice, Mark's efforts have a profound and enduring impact in the ongoing fight against injustice and inequality.

 

Staff

Katherine Pessecow - Executive Director

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Katherine Pessecow is Community Canvases’ Executive Director as well as an artist and arts/civics educator. She is a social studies teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools, and a board member at Buffalo Maritime Center and Hostel Buffalo Niagara. She has 13 years of volunteer coordination and event planning experience and is a longtime West Side resident.

 

Hy Carrel - Director of Operations

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Hy Carrel is Director of Operations for Community Canvases and founding director of its Kind Fools program, inspired by his work with Faithful Fools street-level community in San Francisco’s Tenderloin. In spaces that Hy facilitates, people from varied lived experiences build community based on a value of “we all belong.” Hy is a lead facilitator for Community Canvases programming and offers a gentle encouraging presence for our partners.