Erico Ortiz (President) is a Puerto Rico native who served in various capacities within the Milwaukee Public Schools, including classroom aide, teacher, supervisor, and principal, until 2011. He has participated on multiple community boards, focusing on the arts, education, and religious organizations. In 2014, leveraging his extensive background in community theatre, Hispanic folk dance, Spanish folk guitar, and visual arts, he acquired a former funeral home in West Allis and successfully transformed it into an intimate and dynamic art gallery and performance venue known as Inspiration Studios. This establishment has become a welcoming space for both established and emerging artists and performers, fostering creativity and community engagement.
Codi Peters (Vice-President) is a local artist and small business owner from Miwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a 2014 UW Milwaukee alumni with a BFA in Digital Studio Practice. Codi has done freelance design and small local markets under her LLC FreshPrintsofMKE to sell her own paintings and artwork since graduating. In December of 2020 she and her husband Benjamin Buss opened Stalley Cats. Codi has become the resident designer and merchandise printer, marketing director, and bartender for Stalley Cats. She has developed their creative engagement in the community by hosting Gallery Nights monthly and also Art Classes. She takes pride in awareness and engagement in the artistic community and hopes to help showcase what makes West Allis a special place to be.
Suzann Campbell (Treasurer) studied Fashion Design and Theatre Arts at Mount Mary University, later earning a BA in Business Management and Communications from Concordia University. She’s owned MAC Costumes since 1995 and moved the business to West Allis, WI, in 2024. Suzann has been active in the arts community all of her career, including serving on boards for Modjeska Theatre, Charles Allis Art Museum, and currently, Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove.
Michael James Grassman is a Milwaukee based multi-instrumentalist, performer, creator, instructor, entertainment director, sound/lighting engineer and also an event DJ. Michael is the owner of Sound Check Entertainment, based in West Allis, Wi. Dabbling in just about everything music related.
Shawna Gardner of Twining Tree Creations is a BFA graduate from Ball State University. Shawna is a multi-media powerhouse who specializes in making custom art accessible to everyone. With over 10 years of experience, her portfolio spans
Custom Illustrations & Paintings
Heartfelt Pet Portraits & Memorials
Unique Tattoo Designs
Intricate Woodburnings & Photography
Shawna’s personal work is deeply rooted in the natural world, using traditional media to explore the spiritual and educational sides of nature. Beyond the canvas, she is a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQ, Pagan, and artistic communities, using creative expression to build community support.
Our board members—an inspiring group of dedicated volunteers—bring together diverse backgrounds and expertise from across the vast spectrum of the arts. With a shared passion for nurturing and promoting artistic expression in West Allis, we strive to create an inclusive environment where opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth flourish. Together, we celebrate the unique talents of our community, aiming to enhance the cultural landscape of our beloved city. Join us on this exciting journey as we cultivate the arts and inspire future generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike!
Meet Our Board
Our Founding Members
Carol Christ (The Rogues Artists Group)
Carol Glaser
Codi Peters (Stalley Cats)
Coelett Burgess
Colleen Volland (Cream City Clay)
Daniel Herro
Dan Kirchen
Debbie Callahan (The Martini Girls)
Deborah Mras
Diane Ulezelski
Erico Ortiz (Inspiration Studios)
Jacqulyn Tucker
Jean Kaldunski
Jenny Kosek
John Fleissner
Julie San Felipe
Kristin Gjersdset
Leigh White
Linnea Matthiesen (Wehr Nature Center Camera Club)
Marcia Hero (The Martini Girls)
Mary Kay Basso FLynn
Michael James Grassman (Sound Check Entertainment)
Patricia Eby (Suburban Singers)
Patrina & Jaime Hurtado (InTec)
Rob Barwick
Robb Hoffmann
Ronni Shmauz (Veronica's Palette)
Sky & Tony Capriolo
Sue Baker
Susan Hietala
Suzann Campbell (MAC Costumes)
Suzanne Singh
Tanya Gross
Teresa Amez
Terri Weninger
True McCarthy
WIllie Hailey
Yuliya Bay
Arts
Cultivating community through diverse artistic expressions.
Collective
Events
414-587-3474
© 2025. All rights reserved.