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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Keiffer
President
John is a local musician, graphic artist, and painter, who retired to Southport after a career as a paramedic in the Washington, DC, area, where he also taught college and organized large- and small-scale public events, including a series of cutting-edge arts festivals.
This wide-ranging experience, coupled with an academic career in theological studies, successful occupations as a youth minister and a residential builder in Boston, informs John’s delight in connecting dots. Since moving here in 2009, he has cemented his passion for the creative and performing arts as the quintessential ambassador for Up Your Arts.
John is a local musician, graphic artist, and painter, who retired to Southport after a career as a paramedic in the Washington, DC, area, where he also taught college and organized large- and small-scale public events, including a series of cutting-edge arts festivals.
This wide-ranging experience, coupled with an academic career in theological studies, successful occupations as a youth minister and a residential builder in Boston, informs John’s delight in connecting dots. Since moving here in 2009, he has cemented his passion for the creative and performing arts as the quintessential ambassador for Up Your Arts.
Bob Gentile
Chair
Bob has practiced his musical talent in myriad ways: educated at Berklee College of Music, owned two music stores near Boston, performed up and down the Atlantic coast, featured in at least five local bands (at last count) as The Bassman, electric and upright — and now gives lessons, too.
His other career is steeped in a different not-for-profit world, as director of a successful education and recreation center in New York. Adept at securing grants, donor funding, and leveraged relationships, in addition to full-time management, Bob retired after 30 years running the camp, moved to Southport, and never missed a beat. Up Your Arts is thrilled to have his energy, proficiency, and brilliant sense of direction for having found us.
Bob has practiced his musical talent in myriad ways: educated at Berklee College of Music, owned two music stores near Boston, performed up and down the Atlantic coast, featured in at least five local bands (at last count) as The Bassman, electric and upright — and now gives lessons, too.
His other career is steeped in a different not-for-profit world, as director of a successful education and recreation center in New York. Adept at securing grants, donor funding, and leveraged relationships, in addition to full-time management, Bob retired after 30 years running the camp, moved to Southport, and never missed a beat. Up Your Arts is thrilled to have his energy, proficiency, and brilliant sense of direction for having found us.
Martin Dorward
Treasurer
Marty is quite the Renaissance man. After a 40-year career as an environmental engineer specializing in water utility improvements, Marty has taken on all kinds of roles in the community since moving to Southport in 2019. He is a certified volunteer with the North Carolina State Extension Master Gardener Program and oversees his neighborhood’s HOA architectural review committee and maintenance contracts, in addition to being chair of Up Your Arts’ annual Southport Plein Air Festival Committee. We know first-hand the tactical skill Marty brings to the latter project, but we also applaud his leadership style, which creates the room for many voices to collaborate. Up Your Arts is lucky to have caught Marty’s attention to detail.
Marty is quite the Renaissance man. After a 40-year career as an environmental engineer specializing in water utility improvements, Marty has taken on all kinds of roles in the community since moving to Southport in 2019. He is a certified volunteer with the North Carolina State Extension Master Gardener Program and oversees his neighborhood’s HOA architectural review committee and maintenance contracts, in addition to being chair of Up Your Arts’ annual Southport Plein Air Festival Committee. We know first-hand the tactical skill Marty brings to the latter project, but we also applaud his leadership style, which creates the room for many voices to collaborate. Up Your Arts is lucky to have caught Marty’s attention to detail.
Rick Kranz
Secretary
Rick adds a hefty dose of digital sophistication and over 30 years of business management experience to the Up Your Arts board of directors. A noted expert in developing tech-savvy marketing strategies for commercial success, Rick founded Southport-based OverGo Studio, Inc., in 2011 after relocating from Long Island.
For fun, he moonlights, combining his business acumen with a matching passion for jazz music, building audiences for Luna Sea, a nine-member band in which he plays drums. Up Your Arts is equally fortunate to have caught Rick’s avid interest, time, and talent, too.
Rick adds a hefty dose of digital sophistication and over 30 years of business management experience to the Up Your Arts board of directors. A noted expert in developing tech-savvy marketing strategies for commercial success, Rick founded Southport-based OverGo Studio, Inc., in 2011 after relocating from Long Island.
For fun, he moonlights, combining his business acumen with a matching passion for jazz music, building audiences for Luna Sea, a nine-member band in which he plays drums. Up Your Arts is equally fortunate to have caught Rick’s avid interest, time, and talent, too.
Julie Mercer
Executive Director
At the age of 4, Julie began playing the Cello and developed a vocal talent that has awarded her opportunities such as performing in operas and musical theater productions, and the pleasure of studying voice through college. Currently, Julie performs in local productions around Southport and sings on the worship team at her church. Music has been woven into her soul and is now an area that she is both knowledgeable in and passionate about. You can often find Julie at local events cheering on her musical peers as they share their talents across the generations in our great community.
In addition to her musical talent, Julie brings 16+ years of working in the corporate world. Her wealth of experience from customer relations to executive sales, brings next-level skill sets needed to help the UYA board pursue our big-picture goals for the local arts community. Up Your Arts is fortunate to have someone with such a passionate heart for the arts on our side and is thrilled to add her talents to the team!.
At the age of 4, Julie began playing the Cello and developed a vocal talent that has awarded her opportunities such as performing in operas and musical theater productions, and the pleasure of studying voice through college. Currently, Julie performs in local productions around Southport and sings on the worship team at her church. Music has been woven into her soul and is now an area that she is both knowledgeable in and passionate about. You can often find Julie at local events cheering on her musical peers as they share their talents across the generations in our great community.
In addition to her musical talent, Julie brings 16+ years of working in the corporate world. Her wealth of experience from customer relations to executive sales, brings next-level skill sets needed to help the UYA board pursue our big-picture goals for the local arts community. Up Your Arts is fortunate to have someone with such a passionate heart for the arts on our side and is thrilled to add her talents to the team!.
Tina Powers
Member at Large
Tina is a North Carolina native living in Southport since 2001. She knows more intimate details about the area and its people than most – she manages a booming real estate practice by day and provides bartending service nights at the area’s most popular watering hole. It’s an unbeatable combination if your passion, like hers, is understanding the ties that bind a community together, in order to contribute to it in a meaningful way.
Tina’s work as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and her long-time connection to St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church have faithfully served that desire. Up Your Arts, too, is the happy beneficiary of Tina’s head/heart/home approach and the strength of her commitment to it.
Tina is a North Carolina native living in Southport since 2001. She knows more intimate details about the area and its people than most – she manages a booming real estate practice by day and provides bartending service nights at the area’s most popular watering hole. It’s an unbeatable combination if your passion, like hers, is understanding the ties that bind a community together, in order to contribute to it in a meaningful way.
Tina’s work as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and her long-time connection to St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church have faithfully served that desire. Up Your Arts, too, is the happy beneficiary of Tina’s head/heart/home approach and the strength of her commitment to it.
Peter Riekstins
Member at Large
Peter is a remarkable surprise. After settling in Southport in 2019, he quickly became known for his camera work with local musicians. Now acknowledged as one of the best photographers in the area (and the one responsible for the UYA board of directors’ pictures featured here), it turns out he is the personal epicenter of an amazingly divergent set of other interests and experience. Not only did he own and operate Pete’s Saloon and Restaurant, still booming after 45 years, sit on the board of the New York State Restaurant Association, sell ice cream at Woodstock, and play bass professionally, he was an avid scuba diver, underwater photographer, and hospitality director for an international trade show hosting 15,000 attendees. Fortunately for Up Your Arts, Peter now makes us look as good as we feel and we are surely glad to claim him.
Peter is a remarkable surprise. After settling in Southport in 2019, he quickly became known for his camera work with local musicians. Now acknowledged as one of the best photographers in the area (and the one responsible for the UYA board of directors’ pictures featured here), it turns out he is the personal epicenter of an amazingly divergent set of other interests and experience. Not only did he own and operate Pete’s Saloon and Restaurant, still booming after 45 years, sit on the board of the New York State Restaurant Association, sell ice cream at Woodstock, and play bass professionally, he was an avid scuba diver, underwater photographer, and hospitality director for an international trade show hosting 15,000 attendees. Fortunately for Up Your Arts, Peter now makes us look as good as we feel and we are surely glad to claim him.
Eric Schonher
Member at Large
With Erik, Up Your Arts has been joined by a genuine non-profit governance leader, nationally recognized for his expertise in strategic planning, membership, and association marketing throughout a 30-year professional career. His comprehensive approach to sustainable growth will keep us grounded in our mission while the expansion of our services continues. We are also proud to claim his musical abilities in honor of our roots – Erik is the fourth bass player to serve on Up Your Arts’ board of directors and, even more indispensable, the only one to have begun his melodious roots as a certified musical therapist.
With Erik, Up Your Arts has been joined by a genuine non-profit governance leader, nationally recognized for his expertise in strategic planning, membership, and association marketing throughout a 30-year professional career. His comprehensive approach to sustainable growth will keep us grounded in our mission while the expansion of our services continues. We are also proud to claim his musical abilities in honor of our roots – Erik is the fourth bass player to serve on Up Your Arts’ board of directors and, even more indispensable, the only one to have begun his melodious roots as a certified musical therapist.
JENY
BRILL
COMING
SOON
Allison Crowley
Member at Large
Originally from High Point, North Carolina—widely known as the Furniture Capital of the World—Allison brings a unique blend of business acumen and deep-rooted passion for the arts to her community work.
With sixteen years of experience as a raw materials buyer for a commercial furniture manufacturer, Allison developed a strong foundation in logistics, vendor relations, and strategic planning. Her professional background is complemented by more than fifteen years of dedicated volunteer service with the High Point Arts Council.
During her time with the Council, she served in a variety of leadership roles, including seven years as Secretary of the Board of Directors and active participation on the Executive, Marketing, and Fundraising Committees. Her efforts helped drive community engagement and enhance support for local arts initiatives.
Allison is committed to creating accessible, vibrant cultural opportunities for all and continues to champion the role of the arts in building strong, connected communities.
Originally from High Point, North Carolina—widely known as the Furniture Capital of the World—Allison brings a unique blend of business acumen and deep-rooted passion for the arts to her community work.
With sixteen years of experience as a raw materials buyer for a commercial furniture manufacturer, Allison developed a strong foundation in logistics, vendor relations, and strategic planning. Her professional background is complemented by more than fifteen years of dedicated volunteer service with the High Point Arts Council.
During her time with the Council, she served in a variety of leadership roles, including seven years as Secretary of the Board of Directors and active participation on the Executive, Marketing, and Fundraising Committees. Her efforts helped drive community engagement and enhance support for local arts initiatives.
Allison is committed to creating accessible, vibrant cultural opportunities for all and continues to champion the role of the arts in building strong, connected communities.
HELENE
DUBROWSKY
COMING
SOON
CAROLYN
TABARINI
COMING
SOON
MISSION STATEMENT
Up Your Arts is a non-profit organization founded in 2017 to support and enhance the creative and performing arts throughout the greater Southport area.
Our mission is to foster, promote and advance a fun, cool artistic environment in Southport.
VISION STATEMENT
Our vision is to expand the perception of Southport from its historic identification as a 'quaint fishing village' to that of a community where people experience exceptional arts, culture and live music.
Up Your Arts wants everyone else to see what we see - that Southport is the coolest coastal art community IN THE WORLD!
HISTORY
History information coming soon.
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