Staff
Bruce Bekker
Development Director
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.
Catherine Brewer
Summer Spree Coordinator
Catherine is a former scientist from Winston Salem, North Carolina, Catherine now spends her time as an after-school and substitute teacher at School in Rose Valley and teaches art classes for kids on the weekends at CAC.
Tracy Buchanan
Program Director
Tracy joined the CAC staff as Program Director in September 2017 after working for many years in programming at the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. She holds a BFA in ceramic sculpture and an MS in arts administration. Besides the arts, Tracy is super passionate about running, camping, travel and sharing good food with good people.
Liz Coley
Volunteer Coordinator
volunteer@communityartscenter.org
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
Austin is the Caretaker of Buildings and Grounds. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and is a certified Permaculture Designer. He is rarely without pen and notepad on his person.
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.
Anna Masciantonio
Administrative Coordinator
Anna joined the CAC staff in 2018 as the Administrative Coordinator. After falling in love with clay in a class at the CAC many years ago, Anna went on to pursue a career as a studio potter. She is happy to be back at the CAC and excited to get involved in the ceramics studio.
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
jimsheffler@communityartscenter.org
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. Jim’s Website: http://www.jimshefflerpottery.com/
Board Members
Advisory Board
Susan Albrecht, Wendy Cotton, Joan Gallagher, Bob Gross, Jim Harrison, Robert Kenworthy, Elizabeth Rubin, Carol and Harry Salo, Saundra Shepard, Robert Speare