Our Team
Erica Kelso, Executive Director
Born and raised in the community of Ogdensburg, Erica Kelso has embarked on a diverse and eclectic journey that has shaped her into a dedicated advocate for the arts and sustainable education.
Erica’s journey began with a sense of service, as she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps right out of high school. Driven by her passion for creative expression, Erica earned a BFA in Creative Writing from SUNY Potsdam. Building on her commitment to education, she furthered her academic journey with an MST in Secondary English Education, also from SUNY Potsdam. Currently, Erica is pursuing a PhD in the Philosophy of Sustainability Education at Prescott College, dedication to fostering sustainable practices in education and leadership settings.
Erica’s career path reflects her diverse skill set and dedication to community service. From teaching in public schools to working in outdoor education, she has consistently sought ways to make a meaningful impact. Most recently, her work with the local nonprofit GardenShare focused on addressing food insecurity in St. Lawrence County, specifically by supporting local farmers’ markets.
As a mother of four beautiful children, Erica understands the transformative power of art in shaping young minds. A poet herself, she is not only an advocate for creating a better world but also a practitioner of art, recognizing its importance in personal and community development.
Thrilled to bring her wealth of experience and passion for the arts to the SLC Arts Council, Erica is excited to contribute to the council’s mission as the Managing Executive Director. Art has been a constant in her life, and now, as she raises four budding artists of her own, she is eager to play a role in creating opportunities for local artists and increasing access to artistic programs in the North Country. Erica Kelso’s commitment to service, education, and the arts makes her a valuable addition to the SLC Arts Council, and we warmly welcome her to our community.
Email: erica@slcartscouncil.org
Alicia Murphy, Grants and Services Manager
Alicia Murphy has served as SLC Arts Regrants Coordinator since May, 2014. She administers the New York State Council on the Arts’ Statewide Community Regrants Program in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties, a program that awards over $80,000 annually to North Country artists, municipalities, libraries and non-profits, for the purpose of arts programming. She is responsible for the smooth, cyclic operation of the program, including its management, promotion and implementation. Alicia also coordinates a professional development program that serves the tri-county area. In 2022, she will also administer the National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan, which will regrant $100,000 to local arts-focused organizations and individual artists.
Alicia received her Bachelor of Science, in Business Administration, from SUNY Potsdam in 2003. She has worked in customer service, in one form or another, for most of her adult life, and has run a couple of small, home-based businesses. Prior to coming to SLC Arts, Alicia served as local Coordinator for a statewide non-profit organization, the purpose of which was to help individuals and families to meet needs that may met through other resources – where she successfully launched and branded the program; developed and supervised five new community initiatives, and coordinated a team of 20 volunteers.
In addition to work experience, Alicia credits a great deal of her pertinent experience to being very active in her community. She has served on the boards of the Waddington Redevelopment Association, the Waddington Main Street Alliance, and the Waddington Chamber of Commerce, organizations focused on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, enhanced communications, and socioeconomic growth. In 2011, Alicia was awarded the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Commitment to Community award. In 2012, she graduated from the St. Lawrence Leadership Institute.
Alicia lives in Waddington with her husband and four cats. She loves her job, and considers herself fortunate that she “gets to give away money for a living,” and play an active role in bringing the arts to North Country communities.
Email: grants@slcartscouncil.org
Emilia Gatti, Program Coordinator
Emilia Gatti has returned to the North Country after living in Philadelphia, PA for 8 years. She graduated from the Crane School of Music in 2010 and moved shortly after to Philadelphia with her now husband.
Once moved in, Emilia found a job teaching art and music to toddlers and their families but quickly moved on to working in an afterschool program in the heart of Philadelphia. She music directed the after school musical, led world drumming classes, and helped students create their own podcast, complete with their own music. Once she was hired as a full time classroom teacher in the same school, she invited the arts into her classroom by leading mural tours as part of a Chinatown unit and had students create a classroom meditation soundtrack, where students chose calming sounds, they were recorded, and spliced into their own calming soundtrack.
After coming back to Potsdam, Emilia worked at the North Country Children’s Museum, leading music after school classes as well as co-running art and music camps. Emilia lives in Potsdam with her husband, son, and two cats.
Emilia is at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center on Wednesday and Friday during our open hours. If you are interested in teaching classes with us, please reach out to her at emilia@slcartscouncil.org
Harley Shattuck, Marketing Coordinator
Harley (aka Haley) is a multi-media designer, illustrator, and marketer. She recently relocated to Potsdam to finish her degree in Graphic Design at SUNY Potsdam after her first College, Cazenovia College, shut its doors in 2023. Her range of skills include bold visual design, vibrant illustrations, and compelling marketing materials. She is a well-rounded designer with an eagerness to learn and grow.
She enjoys spending her free time with her partner, Abi and their two cats, Bobby and Penelope. Outside of work, She takes pride in playing video games with friends, attending the figure drawing guild, printmaking, and serving up a good cup of coffee at Jernabi CoffeeHouse.
You can find Harley at SLCArts Mondays and Wednesdays during open hours, or contact her with marketing questions and materials through email harley@slcartscouncil.org
Shelby Weeks, Arts Center & Teaching
Shelby Weeks is a senior at St. Lawrence University studying art and recently served as our summer of 2024 SLU PIC. She not only has a passion for art, but she has a passion for teaching. Shelby can be found at the Creative Spirit on some Saturdays and some weekday evenings ready to help you shop or learn a new art form!
Email: shelby@slcartscouncil.org
Alec Silluzio, Arts Center & Teaching
Alec can be found in the Creative Spirit on some of our Saturdays between 10am-4pm. Alec is attending SUNY Potsdam studying to be a future art teacher. Come hang out with Alec on Saturdays and create. Alec is looking forward to meeting you!
Emial : alec@slcartscouncil.org
Board of Directors
John Berbrich, President
David Crowell, Vice President
Lisa Dashnaw, Secretary
Virginia Burnett
Alaina Goodrich
Keri Wehmeyer
Raamitha Pillay
Alexa Scanlin