Our Staff

Aimee Olivo || Executive Director

Aimee Olivo, a true believer in the power of the arts to transform lives, is incredibly proud to serve as Art Works Now’s second executive director. She is a passionate community builder and advocate for equity and social justice.

Prior to joining Art Works Now, Aimee served as the Chief of Staff for Prince George’s County Council Member Dannielle Glaros (D-District 3). Aimee is most proud of her work to promote economic development, support non-profit organizations, improve the environment, and promote community in that role. Previously she spent nearly two decades working as a professional fundraiser.

Aimee has held numerous volunteer leadership roles advocating for educational equity and student success. She was appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley to serve on the Board of Trustees for Prince George’s Community College in 2010 and continued in that role through February 2022. She served as a member and chair of the Prince George’s County Commission for Education Excellence under County Executive Rushern Baker.

In 2012, Aimee was recognized by the Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund as a member of their inaugural “Prince George’s 40 Under Forty” cohort. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University), in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. On nice days, Aimee bikes to work from her home in Cheverly.

Aimee looks forward to a strong and enduring future for Art Works Now as together we continue to create the world we imagine.

VerNitta Tyson || Chief Operating Officer

With over twenty-five years of experience in the nonprofit sector, VerNitta brings a great deal of expertise to the Art Works Now team. VerNitta has worked in a variety of roles including development, marketing, and administration. She served as Interim Director of The Ellington Fund for Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and in several important roles of leadership at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and IONA Senior Services in Washington, DC. Her passion for the arts and her command of the skills needed for nonprofit administration are essential to the future success of Art Works Now.

Lisa Kiczales || Senior Director, External Relations

Through her many years of experience in marketing and publishing, Lisa has acquired the necessary insight and perspective to design strategic and creative marketing programs. Her analytical, detail-oriented side (she actually finds designing the perfect Excel spreadsheet compelling) works seamlessly with her imaginative side giving her the ability to bring innovative creative solutions into existence. For as long as she can remember, Lisa has been a creator. Recently her focus has been on collage and photography, often combining the two. She’s excited to be using her skills to deepen the connection between Art Works Now and the community by sharing stories that will inspire more people to create the world they imagine. Lisa cannot think of a better place to merge her professional experiences with her passion for sharing the transformative power of art.

Houkje Ross || Associate, External Relations

Houkje comes to Art Works Now with a background in writing and communications. For 15+ years, she worked for a variety of non profits in the D.C. area that focused on improving the health of individuals and underserved communities. After studying and practicing health and wellness coaching (via Martha Beck), she discovered that creativity and self expression can serve to heal both individuals and communities. She is excited to be at an organization that encompasses so many of her passions (art, community, re-imagining the world, health and wellness) and looks forward to helping Art Works Now grow into its next phase. A mixed-media artist, Houkje loves exploring and linking nature, art, and community. She lives in Mt. Rainier Maryland and loves that her bike commute to Art Works Now takes her by blue herons, turtles, and other wildlife.

Meredith Meer || Director, Arts Education

Meredith Meer, MAT, is an artist, designer, and educator with over a decade of experience in art + design research, education, and practice. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from New York University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the Center for Art Education at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Meredith is the owner/founder of Art Pod, a multidisciplinary creative studio that leverages expertise in illustration, graphic design, art education, and Social-Emotional Learning. She continues to maintain an active practice as a teaching artist, and presents her teaching and research at local and national conferences. As our DAE, Meredith is responsible for all aspects of four seasons of sequential learning classes including Creative Aging, private lessons, and school-based programming. When she’s not in the office, Meredith can be found drawing in her sketchbook, or hanging out with her husband and their cat, Bailey.

Maddie Olek || Manager, Camps and Special Programs

Maddie Olek is a mixed-media artist and graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park where she studied Studio Art and Creative Placemaking. Maddie is inspired by collaboration and connection. She has created murals that can be found in the city of College Park, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, DC residential buildings, the University of Maryland (LeFrak Hall), and The Hall CP. Her work is vibrant, energetic, large, chaotic, and rhythmic. Maddie has taught mural workshops and classes and brings material knowledge of airbrushing, painting, spray paint, and fabric, and is always exploring more. Maddie has been working with AWN, teaching our mural class and summer camp . She is thrilled to join us full time responsible for summer camps, day camps (SOWI), art parties, Paint, Pints & Pizza, and additional one-time programming throughout the year. 

Grace Coleman || Clay Studio Manager

Grace is a ceramic artist, teaching artist, and ceramics studio manager from western Colorado and Indiana. Her work is visually informed by the communicative nature of body language, the physicality of human emotions, the vastness of the landscapes surrounding us, and the capacity to hold conflicting emotions within ourselves. Grace’s work celebrates vulnerability, support, growth, and love in the process of healing. In her free time, Grace enjoys the plant parent life, cooking, exploring the DMV art scene, listening to podcasts about geology, showing Star Trek to their partner, and seeing live music.

Giselle Esparza Ornelas || Maryland Corps Member

Giselle comes to Art Works Now through the Maryland Corps Service Year Option program as a recent graduate from Northwestern High School, where she spent four years in the Jim Henson’s Visual and Performing Arts program. During her time in the VPA program she was mainly an instrumentalist but she has always been  intrigued by all of the different aspects of both performing and visual arts. She hopes that her time at Art Works Now will continue to be an inspiring stepping stone for her in her career path as she hopes to incorporate visual and performing arts into her future plans. In her spare time, Giselle loves listening to local classical and jazz bands/artists, cooking from online recipes, and hanging out with her partner.

Ayomide Alafiatayo || Maryland Corps Member

Ayomide (AY) Alafiatayo, a student at Prince George’s Community College, comes to Art Works Now through the Maryland Corps Service Year Option program. AY is studying Information Technology, and will be using his IT skills during his time at Art Works Now. He is looking forward to connecting more deeply with his artistic side and to continue to pursue  his passion for the visual arts centered around pencil drawing and digital art.

Devyn Harris || Maryland Corps Member

Devyn Harris joins Art Works Now through the Maryland Corps Service Year Option program. Devyn brings 10+ years of experience in photography & cinematography to the organization. He is looking to empowering and uplifting others by being the spark that will illuminate their stories.