Staff
Bruce Bekker
Development Director
BruceBekker@communityartscenter.org
Bruce joined CAC as Development Director in 2020. He previously led development at educational organizations – including Girard College and Breakthrough Philadelphia – and at two nationally-recognized cultural institutions – historic Pennsbury Manor, and the chamber ensemble Philomel Baroque. Bruce is an avid gardener, reader, hiker, and concert-goer, and he loves all things cultural.
Liz Coley
Volunteer Coordinator
Liz joined the CAC staff as Volunteer Coordinator in the fall of 2015 after retiring from a 35 year career in the private sector. Liz rediscovered CAC when she enrolled her granddaughter in the ArtStart Program and instantly was drawn to the vibrant environment and people. When not recruiting volunteers or participating at events held at CAC she enjoys travel and gardening at her home in nearby Springfield.
Austin Dodson
Caretaker
austindodson@gmail.com
Paul Downie
Executive Director
pauldownie@communityartscenter.org
After many years as a working artist painting community murals and teaching, Paul joined the CAC staff in 2010, serving as the Program Director for the first two years. He became the Executive Director in 2012. When not at the Arts Center Paul can often be found playing drums in a wide variety of situations.
Assistant Office Staff
Assistant Office Staff
Adriane is new to the Community Arts Center and started working here in August of 2025. She was drawn to the place and position because of her love for the arts and working with non-profits. Along with working part-time at the Arts Center, she is currently the Vice Chairman and Assistant Event Coordinator at Parastudy, Inc.
Italina Shea
Office Manager
Italina started working at the Arts Center in 2007 as a part-time office assistant and quickly became full-time and then the office manager. She found the Arts Center a few years prior looking for somewhere to take drawing and painting lessons. She took her first lesson and fell in love with the place, the people and the rest is history. She lives in nearby Springfield with her husband where they raised their two amazing daughters who spent middle school and high school summers attending, volunteering and working at Summer Spree and being mentored by their dear friend Debby Yoder.
Jim Sheffler
Ceramic Studio Manager/Instructor
While working as a licensed Chemical Engineer, Jim began taking classes at the Community Arts Center in 2006. In 2009, Jim became an Associate at the arts center and was juried into the Potters Guild in 2016. Jim joined the staff in 2017 as the Studio Coordinator. He also teaches Ceramic Wheel Class on Friday mornings here at the CAC.
Alice Thompson
Program Director
Athompson@communityartscenter.org
Alice Thompson (she/her) joined the CAC as Program Director in September 2025. Originally from Vestal, New York, Alice came to Philadelphia to earn her MFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2006. She is passionate about creative collaborations that support social connectedness, curiosity, and skills in fine art and craft. Artist communities have profoundly impacted her development as an artist and arts administrator. She has travelled to the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina many times to acquire new craft skills or assist master printmakers in the classroom. She also draws inspiration from her experiences working in Philadelphia’s artist communities including, but not limited to The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Craft NOW, Mural Arts, Tacony LAB Community Art Center, Second State Press and Orchestra 2001.
Board Members
Advisory Board
Susan Albrecht, Wendy Cotton, Joan Gallagher, Bob Gross, Robert Kenworthy, Elizabeth Rubin, Saundra Shepard, Robert Speare