Meet the Team
Moani Moreira-Laliberté
Co-Founder, Project LeaderMoani is a French-Canadian, Brazilian visual artist from Montreal, studying Studio Arts at Bard College ’27, with a second focus in Anthropology. Working primarily in sculpture and mixed media, she is drawn to questions of identity, cultural heritage, and belonging, but is always willing to explore wherever her curiosity may lead her. Her experiences organizing and leading art workshops have only deepened her belief that everyone should have access to spaces and opportunities to explore their creativity and their passion.
João Melo
Co-FounderJoão is a Brazilian percussionist and educator from Salvador with a double major in Percussion and Philosophy from Bard College ’26, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Percussion at UMass ’28. He began his musical journey through NEOJIBA, where he discovered the power of music to connect and empower communities. Drawing on both classical training and Afro-Brazilian musical traditions, João approaches music as a space for dialogue, collective learning, and creative expression.
Maria Franco Fernandes
EducatorFrances leads the kitchen with care, serving fresh, nourishing meals that fuel long days of art-making and camp adventures.
Shukuvena Yawanawa
EducatorBennie guides the camp’s faculty and staff, fostering an environment where young artists can explore freely while feeling supported.
Gabriel Souza
EducatorClara helps shape each summer’s creative offerings and ensuring campers get a rich balance of structure, exploration, and fun.
Finch Kortus
educatorFrances leads the kitchen with care, serving fresh, nourishing meals that fuel long days of art-making and camp adventures.
Abigail Arndt
EducatorBennie guides the camp’s faculty and staff, fostering an environment where young artists can explore freely while feeling supported.
Lana Zaki
EducatorClara helps shape each summer’s creative offerings and ensuring campers get a rich balance of structure, exploration, and fun.
Xany Jamison
educatorFrances leads the kitchen with care, serving fresh, nourishing meals that fuel long days of art-making and camp adventures.
Lionel Otero
EducatorBennie guides the camp’s faculty and staff, fostering an environment where young artists can explore freely while feeling supported.
Aaron Paul
EducatorClara helps shape each summer’s creative offerings and ensuring campers get a rich balance of structure, exploration, and fun.
Want to
Join Our Team?
Let's Create Something Together!
Whether you're an artist, educator, student, or simply someone passionate about creativity, we'd love to hear from you. Join us in making art more accessible to our communities.