Our team
Sara Cervantez
Instructor
she/they/ella/ellos
Sara was born and raised in the Rogue Valley. They are an instructor and builder at Talent Maker City in the occupied territory of the Shasta, Takelma, Cow Creek, Umpqua, Modoc, and Siletz tribes. Her ancestral roots are in Jalisco, Mexico. They are developing their practice in youth mentoring, woodworking, and screen printing.
Alli French
Executive Director, Founder
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With over 27 years in education, Alli has taught everything from middle school health to college level courses, where she developed a knack for sparking curiosity and building connections. As one of the founders of Talent Maker City, Alli is dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces where education, innovation, creativity, and community collide. The highlight of Alli’s career continues to be working alongside the incredible TMC team as they continue to collaboratively build Talent Maker City from scratch. She is proud that Talent Maker City has become a vibrant hub where individuals from all walks of life come together to learn. Alli lives in Talent with her partner and their two sweet dogs. She loves traveling and being active in the great outdoors when she isn’t in the shop making and creating.
Lucia McGuire
Maker Technician
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Lucia is a recent graduate from Armadillo Technical Institute (ATI) and is now TMC staff. She has been working with TMC since March of 2021 on the Bus Project, converting a school bus into housing. Recently she helped assist with workshops around the Mural Project. The Mural Project consists of thirty-two 4’x6’ panels of painted art with the theme, “Stronger Together.” These murals were made in response to the Almeda Fire that went through Talent and Phoenix and they are now installed around the Gateway Project. Lucia designed and painted two of these murals as her senior project.
Nina Gerona
Development Coordinator
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Nina moved to the Rogue Valley in 2023 to be closer to nature and to find a small, caring community that feels like home. A recent graduate of San Francisco State's Master of Public Administration program, she is excited to put her nonprofit management skills to work helping TMC grow! As a former educator, she is passionate about helping children and adults learn new skills and find their passions. During her free time, she loves playing outside, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, swimming, and camping. Inside you'll find Nina cooking, reading a novel, or spending time with her cat.
Lisa Shinohara
Programs Director
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Lisa grew up admiring the teapots, cups, and bowls that her parents collected from Japanese artisans. After learning how to throw on the wheel in high school, she joined a studio at UC Santa Cruz while obtaining a degree in Psychology. She spent a year teaching English in Japan and learning from local potters. Ultimately, she pieced together a small studio at home in Medford. You can see examples of her work on Instagram @ceramicsbylisa. Lisa believes that cultivating time for creativity, mindfulness and play is important for our overall well-being and loves that pottery is an intersection of all three! In her free time, you'll find her climbing rocks, mountain biking, skiing, and baking sourdough bread.
Victor Lopez Alcaraz
Tech Department Co-Lead
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Victor is a builder with experience in residential construction, including framing, roofing, and cement work. He enjoys creating things, making anything out of wood, using the 3D printer and CNC machine, and learning new skills. Victor enjoys teaching, and recently working with middle school students making beds has improved his teaching skills. He likes outdoor activities like fishing, especially on the coast and in Mexico. He also enjoys hiking in the mountains around the Rogue Valley, which he has called home for 19 years.
Amy Godard
Visual Arts Department Lead
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Amy Godard is an Artist born and raised in Southern Oregon. Amy is a University of Oregon graduate with focused studies in Art, Spanish, and education. She has been a maker for as long as she can remember and a printmaker since 2005. Amy began making art with the community as a teacher, mentor, and community organizer in the Rogue Valley in 2007 when she moved back to Southern Oregon to be in the Siskiyou mountains, a place her family has been for multiple generations. Amy brings her background in alternative education, her experience with trauma-based practices, and her versatility in art and design to Talent Maker City.
Molly Acord
Community Projects and Partnerships
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Molly lives in Talent with her husband and three children. She loves the intersection of business and craft, and has built two small businesses in this space. She started with an Etsy shop making monogrammed blankets when her babies were babies, and understood the value of flexible work for mothers at home. This passion developed into a fair trade business that brings customers simple goods made by women around the world. Molly loves all arts, but you will most likely find her in the fiber arts department.
Aki Robinson
Design Support
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Aki was born in Taiwa, Japan and raised in Oregon. After graduating from Portland State University with a degree in architecture, they moved to Southern Oregon to gain experience in architectural design. They are also a painter, beader and musician.
Kate Jack
Instructor
She/Her
Kate grew up in the Rogue Valley, graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from OSU, taught elementary school in Arizona before re-settling back in Ashland in 1999. Growing up in a family of artists, it’s not surprising the art path was taken. She has taught watercolor and drawing for over 20 years from Kindergarten to adult. “My hope is to show every student the importance of the arts and share my love of painting”
She also enjoys camping, coastal trips, gardening, hiking and general outside fun. She also owns and operates Kate Jack Jewelry. Kate has worked with Talent Maker City since 2021
Frank Jacques
Ceramics Department Lead
He/Him
The only thing more inspiring than being surrounded by people discovering something about themselves while making things is being surrounded by people discovering something about themselves while making things out of clay. In a small town in Southern Oregon. With a view of Talent Avenue. And it doesn’t hurt if you are holding a cup of tea.
The 2021 Montana Art Educator of the Year brings an MFA in Studio Ceramics from the University of Washington, a reverence for the history of clay objects, and 30 years of teaching the crazy-diverse range of learner to Talent Maker City. He feels super lucky to have found a home at such a visionary place among so many generous and innovative people. Seriously, this staff is like the A-Team of goodness.
Frank lives on a needy chunk of beautiful land in Talent with an amazing graphic designer named Pamela, a pasture in need of haying and a growing menagerie of creatures furred and feathered. When he isn’t instructing at TMC or making his own work, Frank can be found fixing something on the property, talking about his community or trail running with Pam. You can see some of his work at :https://saltstoneceramics.com/collections/lucky-pots
Katie Buttermore “Butters”
Woodshop Department Lead
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Butters joined the TMC crew soon after the Almeda fire, as part of the team who facilitated bed-frame building workshops for folks who were displaced by the fire. They have mostly worked for non-profits in an outdoor setting (teaching and coordinating) since 2005, while working on side projects in natural building & wood-work whenever they get the chance. Any kind of making is of interest to them whether it's wood-working, music, comedy, or drawing; Butters describes themself as a 'Master of None,' & likes it that way.
#makeittilyoumakeit
Aiden Perez
Maker Technician
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Aiden has been a part of Talent Maker City since 8th grade. He started out volunteering, cleaning up the space, and preparing for workshops. A little after that, he was able to help out Talent with the Almeda Fire by making beds for those who lost theirs. He was also part of the Bus Project in 2020, where we turned a bus into a mobile home for a family who lost house in the fire. After that, he became an intern over the summer, and now works at TMC. He helps out with workshops, events, and programs for schools.
Derek Boland
Mechanics Department Lead
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Derek is a cycling fiend who has worked in the industry for the past fourteen years. After becoming disillusioned by the nature of the retail cycling environment, he was compelled to change it. He is excited to share his knowledge and passion with the greater community here at TMC. He believes in the ability of the bicycle to empower and transform people's lives and that there should be no barriers to becoming a cyclist. He has lived in the Rogue Valley since 2013 and is excited to learn more skills and make more connections while working at TMC. Besides riding his bike and putting on rides, he also enjoys cooking/baking, sewing, and photography. He lives in Phoenix with his partner and two kitties.
Summer Brendlinger
Ceramics Department Lead
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Summer began working and falling in love with clay in high school, and went on to study at SOU. She has a masters and 14-year background in elementary education. She has since stepped out of the conventional classroom and currently teaches ceramics while growing her small artisan business. Her love of ceramics and the process shows in each of her classes, which blend her love of the art form and instruction. She has a focus on functional pieces made on the wheel and through various other techniques. You can feel the love in every piece!
Berkeley Skuratowicz
Tech Department Co-Lead
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Berkeley was raised in the Rogue Valley and is a recent graduate of Oregon State University, earning a degree in engineering. She is interested in the intersection of design and technology, and will soon be studying design at San Francisco State University. One of her main passions is 3D printing; she has spent over 5 years using and maintaining 3D printers. She also loves creating things using CNC machines, woodworking, and metalworking. Some of her other hobbies include reading, mountain biking, rock climbing, and exploring the trails around the Rogue Valley.
Sue Hawkins
Finance/Admin Director
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Susan was born and raised in Ashland and comes from a family of educators and DIYers. After graduating from SOU, she held a range of small business, non-profit, and corporate administrative management positions. She brings a calm demeanor as well as an inquisitive and curious mind to her endeavors. As an avid LEGO collector (aka fanatic) and mom, she embraces a sense of whimsy and imaginative, creative playfulness. She is often found in her LEGO room building sets and sorting pieces, in the kitchen creating beautiful, delicious meals and desserts, or in the garden feeding the birds, watching bees, and enjoying golden time sunsets with her son and their cat.
Hannah Rarick
Instructor
Hannah started sewing as a kid. She got her first sewing machine in middle school, and sewing became her thing. Glass-blowing became her main artistic outlet in her twenties. After her accident in 2018, she couldn’t blow glass anymore and she got totally into sewing as her main hobby. After the Almeda Fire, she started making quilts for friends. This grew into quilt shows. And then she met the Talent Maker City team and started teaching sewing classes in the makerspace. Hannah’s aesthetic is cozy and fluffy. She’s inspired by combinations of fabric colors and texture. And she likes that it’s art, but also a craft that can be used or worn. “It’s art…and it’s a bag!”
Joseph Saling
Design Support
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Joseph was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO and attended Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO (2015-2020). There, he studied the Arts, Photography, & Graphic Design. While living in Gunnison, he developed a love and deeper connection to nature, hiking, and camping. Since spring 2023, Joseph has been visiting the Rouge Valley, and exploring the natural beauty Southern Oregon holds, learning about it's geology, and discovering its deep history. In his visits to the valley, he has made great friends and is inspired by the welcoming, kind, and resilient community here. Through TMC, Joseph hopes to serve this wonderful community through many creative avenues to inspire both youth and adults alike.
Rosie Russell
Instructor
She/Her
Rosie Russell fell in love with clay in the 1990s during her high school ceramics classes. She went on to earn a BFA from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Following graduation, she was forced to branch out in her artistic expression and dabbled in various unconventional art forms, including interpretive lunchbox packing, and creative backpacking motivation for kids.
After earning a Masters of Arts in education in 2017 and an endorsement to teach art, (as well as math and special education), she finds herself more immersed in the arts than ever, teaching art in middle school, filling active roles in the Southern Oregon Clayfolk community, and now teaching workshops at TMC.
Rosie has passion for clay which was planted over 30 years ago and she’s excited to share that passion and knowledge with TMC!
Kolby Schooley
Instructor
She/Her
Kolby moved to Southern Oregon in 2008 and fell in love with it instantly. She has a background in coaching, accounting, building and construction, with a few other random jobs along the way. After getting involved in the STEAM summer camps in 2024, she found a new passion for instructing and helping people learn new skills. Kolby is excited to blend all her past experiences together to contribute to the TMC team. When she’s not at TMC, she enjoys spending time with friends, working on projects, playing softball, and hanging out with her wife and cats.
Project yOuth plus Interns
TMC’s Project Youth Plus Interns are an integral part of our team and we are grateful for their dedication and support. Learn more by watching the video below:
Board of Directors
Darby Ayers-Flood (she/her) - Board Chair
Darby is the current mayor of Talent, Oregon. She has been a Talent City Official since 2001. Darby endeavors to enable the direct connection between creating a regional reputation for product innovation and drawing attention to our locally based economy in order to realize a robust “live where you work prosperity.”
Joe Wismann (he/him) - Board Treasurer
Joe has worked at both Fortune 500 companies and startups, has over 20 years’ experience in manufacturing operations and senior management. Joe is also a retired US Army Colonel. He believes very strongly in Talent Maker City’s ability to empower its members and enrich the quality of life in the community. Joe has been a maker since he installed a steering wheel on his bicycle at age 11.
Jim Teece (he/him)
Jim is a parallel entrepreneur, a maker, and a doer. He owns and operates several small companies including Project A, Ashland Home Net, Rogue Broadband, and The Southern Oregon Business Journal. Jim also owns a 3D printer, Brews Beer with a robot and a portable FarmBot that he hopes to build someday soon and teach robotic farming to kids of all ages. Jim also serves on several other Boards making his experience and expertise invaluable. He and his wife have lived in Ashland for nearly 30 years and have two adult children that were born and raised in Ashland on a small farm by Emigrant Lake.
Vanessa Robertson-Rojas (she/her)
Vanessa has worked as a plant ecologist and educator for more than ten years, and has focused a lot of her energy providing skills education for girls and women in the trades, and offering avenues for female mentorship in the natural sciences. Vanessa’s interests in ecology began as a studio artist and slowly evolved into her current work as a plant and restoration ecologist through the mentorship of empowering female scientists. She appreciates the complex and nonlinear nature of natural systems and seeks to perform meaningful work in the Rogue Basin. She has loved working with Talent Maker City in the past and hopes to bring positive problem solving energy to the board.
John Weston (he/him)
John is a certified Oregon State teacher with endorsements in Social Studies, Industrial Arts, and Career Technical Education. In 2006, he started a custom woodworking business, Weston Woodworking, that focuses on cabinets and custom furniture. John is passionate about teaching and is a respected woodworker. John can often be found in the TMC wood shop volunteering to teach staff, students and community members how to build and create with wood.
Gil Livni (he/him)
Born in Israel, Gil Livni came to the U.S. as an emigrant in 1989. His first job as a youth was building and educating others on how to build radio-controlled airplanes. Gil is a self starter and built his business from the ground up. He brings over 30 years of experience and expertise in building and development in the Rogue Valley and beyond. With licenses in Electrical, Tile/Masonry and General Contracting, Gil brings trades knowledge and experience to our Board that will help serve our programs and students. Gil is CEO of Magnolia Fine Homes and CamAgra, a Cambodian-based operation growing hardwood trees from seedling to full maturity as well as vegetable agriculture. Gil is excited to share his knowledge and experience with the community through TMC.
Dawn Klinger (she/her)
Dawn started her journey with clay in high school and continued her education at the University of Arizona earning her B.F.A. in sculpture and ceramics. She has worked in art education and special education as well participated in multiple art festivals and gallery shows around the country. In 2016, she opened Tagliaferro Ceramics featuring functional, handbuilt dinnerware, servingware and home decor. She sells her work around the world to restaurants, hotels, boutiques and private collectors. Her work is focused on creating connections between people and taking time to deeply enjoy life's daily rituals with objects created from the natural world. Her studio and home are nestled in the foothills of Talent surrounded by tall fir trees and a year round, babbling creek where she lives with her partner Mark, two Anatolian shepherds and a feisty cat.
Brad Converse (he/him) - Board Secretary
Brad is the owner and operator of the Bradley Putter Company, where he uses his Mechanical Engineering background to help golfers tell their stories on the green. He first worked with Talent Maker City during the COVID pandemic, where he founded Covid Skunkworks and empowered the local experts to solve supply chain problems for our local hospital systems. He's taught robotics classes to all ages, has coded in a dozen different languages, and loves teaching his 3 kids how to solve problems on their own.