Randi Pupkin

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Randi graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1987 and was admitted to the Bar that same year. After 14 years, she left her construction litigation practice and started Art with a Heart in order to fully and creatively pursue her passion for helping those in need.

Misty Torbert

OFFICE MANAGER

Misty comes to Art with a Heart with over 20 years experience in office management, service coordination and bookkeeping, most recently for Lotharian Pools.  She is the mother of three children and enjoys reading, nature and spending time with her family.  Misty’s bucket list includes visiting all 63 of our National Parks with one on deck in 2024 to Yellowstone!

Megan Gatto

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Megan holds a BFA in Studio Art and a minor in Psychology from the University of Delaware. Ms. Gatto began her journey at Art with a Heart as a college intern passionate about using art as a tool for change. Fueled by her Art with a Heart experience, she participated in visual art outreach programs in both Tanzania and Thailand and returned to Art with a Heart as a staff member in 2016.

Erin Liffiton

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ART & SERVICE

Erin comes to Art with a Heart with a great passion for art, education, and change. After graduating from Bucknell University with degrees in linguistics, French, and a minor in studio art, she served her community as a teacher before making her way to Art With A Heart. When Erin is not working she can be found enjoying the company of her menagerie of pets and plants or in her ceramics studio.

Amy Langrehr

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Amy is a native Baltimorean, an alumna of Towson University and has been working in nonprofit fundraising for over 25 years. When she’s not working, Amy loves to cook, spend time with her rescue pets and visit local restaurants in the city. Amy has been writing about Baltimore food and dining for her blog, Charm City Cook, since 2010.

Bailey O’Maille

DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT

Bailey is an artist, teacher, animal lover, and outdoor enthusiast. She grew up on the coast of Maine and moved to Maryland in 2008. She has lived in Baltimore City for 5 years, graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Art Education and has taught art courses at multiple Baltimore City schools. Some of her hobbies include painting pet portraits, camping, yoga, and singing.

Jake Parchem

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Jake is a 2012 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Art Education with a passion for teaching. He has taught students from Pre-K to retired adults, developed impactful cross-curricular lessons, and helped design educational materials and objects that are now part of the permanent collection at the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI.

Anna Gallahan

CO-PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Anna graduated with a B.S in Family and Human Services from Towson University in 2020. Anna began her journey at Art with a Heart as a college intern in Art with a Heart’s in-school programs and is now working as CO-Program Director.

Sofie Benson

CO-PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Sofie is a 2022 graduate of Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History.  Sofie started as an Art with a Heart teacher and is now a Co- Program Director with us.   Sofie enjoys hiking, photography and ceramics.

Candace Allmond

Senior Director of Workforce Development and Community Engagement

Candace is a passionate advocate for people and art, thriving on creativity in all its forms. A proud graduate of Stevenson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling and Human Services and a Master’s degreee in Social Work from the University of Maryland.  Candace specializes in community outreach, partnerships and management, particularly focused on youth and families. In her free time, she loves to sing, paint, and just have fun with her husband and family, cherishing her role as a proud auntie. With a positive mindset, Candace embraces life and seeks to uplift those around her through her work and artistic pursuits.

Amy Legg

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR 

Amy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. She began her work at Art with a Heart after a long career owning her own retail business.  When she isn’t keeping the staff organized at Art with a Heart, she is an avid baker, knitter and mother of three.

Omar Harris

COMMUNITY SERVICE & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Omar comes to Art with a Heart with a passion for creating. He is a 2021 graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where he developed his skills as a  painting major in addition to studies in several other mediums. In his spare time, Omar enjoys creating new paintings and experimenting with digital programs.

Emily Robinson

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

With a passion for art, education, and equity, Emily comes to Art With a Heart ready to make a difference. Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with an Art degree and a minor in Italian studies, she focused on advocating for students in the Baltimore City community. Working as a Special Education Teacher and an Elementary Art teacher, she focused on bringing equity and inclusion into city schools. When Emily is not working, she can be found expressing her creativity in the kitchen baking complicated desserts or enjoying her latest read.

Kristina Harlee

HEARTWARES STORE MANAGER

Kristina comes to Art with a Heart as an alumnae of our summer workforce program, where she spent three summers with us. After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Kristina amassed 8 years of retail experience, making her a perfect fit for the HeARTwares Store Manager position. In her spare time she likes to SHOP and enjoys graphic design.

Klause Ferrell

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Klause Ferrell is an undergraduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta in Graphic and Web design. Klause found his way to Baltimore, and first became involved with Art with a Heart as a client of the job training program HeARTworks. Graduating from the program, he returned as an intern in the AWAH Workforce Development and Social Enterprise program. In February 2019, Klause was hired as Assistant to the Director of Workforce Development and Social Enterprise and now holds the title of Workforce Development Coordinator.

London Allen

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

London is a 2024 graduate of University of Baltimore with a B.A. in English and a specialization in literature and culture. She comes to Art with a Heart from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art where she worked in communications. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting and working on her creative writing!

Melissa Noonan

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Melissa has a degree in Art/Metalsmithing from Towson University. She comes to Art With a Heart with several years of experience as a jewelry studio manager and arts administrator. She spends her free time crafting, vintage shopping and attempting to keep her plants alive.

Jamie Freed

Special Projects Coordinator

Jamie holds a B.F.A. in Digital Art and a B.S. in Psychology from Towson University. Jamie started at Art with a Heart as a programming and special projects intern before becoming a teacher and now is the Special Projects Coordinator with us. In her free time Jamie loves to make art with her daughter, roller skate and mingle with her family and friends

Yulia Hanansen

Artist in Residence

Yulia holds an M.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.F.A. from Columbia University. She comes to Art with a Heart with a wealth of experience in making mosaics and teaching mosaic arts. Her work is known to audiences both nationally and internationally. In addition to working at Art with a Heart, Yulia also operates her Mosaic Sphere Studio, LLC and is teaching fine arts at Towson University. Some of her hobbies include: hiking in the mountains, astronomy, and reading science fiction.

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