ABOUT
MISSION, VISION & WHY IT MATTERS
MISSION
Common Wealth Murals' mission is to create beloved murals that engage the community in the creative process, nurture a collective understanding that is it possible and necessary to center the public in the creation of public art, and train and support artists at all levels of their career in state-of-the-art techniques for creating community-engaged public art.
VISION
We envision vibrant arts ecosystems in which communities are empowered and resourced to create public art which proclaims, reclaims or rewrites their own narratives, explores diverse and creative views of the world, cultivates pride and intentional visions of the future, and builds deeper community connections.
WHY IT MATTERS
Public art defines our shared spaces. When public art fails to represent the community it inhabits, it alienates and disconnects people from where they live, and from each other. But when murals tell a community’s stories, they reinforce relationships and strengthen people’s connections to where they live, learn and work.
When murals are created collaboratively, people have a direct impact in positively shaping their environment, leading them to ask – what more can we do when we work together?
Murals also have a tangible impact on local economies, boosting businesses, attracting visitors, supporting artists, and increasing civic pride.
At Common Wealth Murals, public art is more than decoration — it’s a powerful tool for community building, cultural preservation, and social transformation.
OUR TEAM
Britt Ruhe, MBA
Superpowers: creating opportunities, and losing keys
For over 20 years, Britt has led non-profit organizations, applying her skills in community organizing, project management, finance, fundraising and public relations to create transformative opportunities for people to work together to improve their own communities. With Geta McLain of GoodSpace Murals, she is the co-designer and co-facilitator of innovative trainings in community-engaged mural making. Britt holds a BA in Community Development and an MBA from UMass.
Founder and Executive Director
SELF.
Superpowers: getting it done, and avoiding photos
SELF. is an artist from Springfield MA. She specializes in graffiti/word art, and designs clothing for her own eponymous street wear brand. She has designed and painted 20 murals, all based on design ideas from youth in Springfield.
Project Manager
Talysha Rivera
Superpowers: thinking of everything, and saying 100 words with one look
Talysha, a Springfield, MA native, holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from Providence College. She is the Administrative Coordinator at Commonwealth Murals and a Museum Educator at UMass Amherst, coordinating public art projects, community engagement, and museum education to create spaces for creatives to connect and grow.
Administrative Coordinator
Gabriela Sepulveda
Superpowers: never running out of energy, and quoting movies
Gabriela Sepulveda, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a muralist, painter, comic book artist. With a degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Masters from Atlantic University College, Gabriela brings depth to each creation, transporting observers to imaginative realms where emotions and intellect intertwine.
Studio Assistant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANGELICA CASTRO
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A proud mother of two and a dedicated leader in her community, Angelica resides in Springfield, MA, where she serves as the Workforce Development Coordinator at Square One. Previously, she excelled as the Director of Outreach and Teens at the YMCA of Greater Springfield, where she mentored and spearheaded the YAIM program, designed to inspire teens to excel academically, pursue higher education, and explore career and entrepreneurial opportunities.
In addition to her professional achievements, Angelica actively contributes as a commissioner on the Springfield Cultural Council. Her unwavering commitment earned her the Game Changer Award for the Center of Human Development, and her impactful efforts were highlighted by Masslive during their Hispanic Heritage Leadership Month article.
AUNDREA PAULK
Superpowers: marshalling the troops, and throwing the best parties
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Aundrea R. Paulk is the Director of Marketing and Communications director at Caring Health Center, the only federally funded Section 330 health center in Greater Springfield. She is the founder and creative force behind SoireeMi, LLC, a Pioneer Valley event planning and design business. SoireeMi offers creative and personalized services for private and corporate clients, including the Springfield Pride Parade Organization. She has been honored by BusinessWest 40 Under Forty for her business success and civic involvement. A graduate of Bay Path University, Aundrea’s areas of expertise include marketing and branding, communications, event planning and coordination, budgeting, social media management and website content management. A proud mother of two, Aundrea is a lifelong resident of Springfield.
ANDREW CADE
Superpowers: Not-so-secretly doing everything, and that radio voice
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Andrew Cade is the Senior Vice President of Productive Aging at the Urban League of Springfield. He is the President of the Springfield Cultural Council, the Business Director WTCC, member of the Springfield Cultural Partnership, member of the Communications and African Hall Ubora Committees at the Springfield Museums, and a Trustee of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. His extensive community service also includes roles as the Entertainment Manager for Stone Soul Festival Committee the Brianna Fund for Children with Physical Disabilities, Opportunity Net-Set Tennis Program, US Tennis Association Nominating Committee, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Juneteenth Coordinator for the Brethren Community Foundation, Gospel Workshop of America, and member of St. John’s Congregational Church. He has received multiple awards for his achievements, including the African Hall Ubora Award, Stone Soul Legacy Award, Gator Jazz Community Service Award, Urban League Community Builder Award, Harambee Community Service Award and many more.
CHRIS SEABROOKS
Superpowers: fly designs, and putting the work in
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A native son of Springfield MA, Chris Seabrooks left the Hampden County area to receive a Bachelors in Arts and Sciences at Alabama A&M University, with a focus in Graphic Design. One year after graduating, he moved to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts, receiving a MFAD degree in Steve Heller’s Design as Entrepreneur masters program. Living and working in New York from 2009-2019, Chris freelanced with companies such as Estée Lauder, Brunswick Creative, Sweet Chick, Artichoke Pizza, TBWA\Chait\Day, and McCann Workgroup. Feeling the need for community and family, in January of 2020, he moved back home to take a position as a Park Planner with the City of Springfield, Parks Department. In this position, Chris has managed 10+ park projects and written grants for over one million dollars in Community Preservation Act funding. Also an avid runner, Chris says “As an athlete and an artist, kinesthetic movement has been essential to my mental health and physical expression, its revelations identify our core values and life preferences in a world of constraints”
JESSICA PAYNE
Superpowers: building networks and making connections, and hugs
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Jessica Payne holds undergraduate and advanced degrees from Hampshire College and New York University and has been an applied research consultant for over 30 years. She founded Broardsight Consulting in 2004 as an independent firm providing her unique approach to applied research. Since that time, Jessica has evolved to include ongoing consultancies in higher education, secondary education, healthcare, community economic development, marketing, and the cultural and arts industry. Jessica’s professional experience includes consultations with exceptional institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, Boston Children's Hospital, Smith College, the Alianza Project, the Community Foundation of Western MA, the Museum of Fine Arts/Boston, the Public Health Institute of Western MA, Loomis-Chaffee School, the Holyoke Health Center, StopHazing, Inc., the National Endowment for the Arts and Venture Well.
RICHARD JOHNSON
Superpowers: always being there when he’s needed, and humble smiles
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Richard Johnson is a visual artist based in Springfield, MA, with a passion for youth development. After graduating from MCLA with a degree in sociology in 2014, Richard started his career as a substance abuse educator in Berkshire County schools. He discovered his talent for teaching through visual arts and developed his skills to give back to the community. In 2018, Richard founded Chess Angels Promotions Inc., an art-based non-profit organization that inspires and promotes the development of the community through action, education, and self-expression. Johnson creates environmental strategy projects that incorporate teachable moments that individuals can take with them for the rest of their life. His main goal is to promote positive youth development, positive family relationships, and economic prosperity through visual art.
DEBRA JOYCE
Superpowers: Ironclad optimism, and first class hosting
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Debra Joyce is a Western Massachusetts attorney whose firm, Debra Joyce Family Law Consulting, provides education, coaching, mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes between separated and divorced parents in ways that prioritize the well-being of their children. In her capacity as a Guardian AdLitem in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties, Debra investigates children’s best interest in contested custody matters, and serves as a Parenting Coordinator for high-conflict co-parents. Debra is an alumna of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Northeastern University School of Law.
SIERRA MYERS
Superpowers: juggling 1,000 projects at once, and creative problem solving
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Sierra Myers is a seasoned web designer and developer with over 12 years of experience crafting digital experiences. She is the owner of VModern Design Studio, a web design and graphic design consultancy. With a dynamic background in both fashion and technology, she has worn many hats throughout her career. Having worked as a visual merchandiser for a large part of her career, she was an Assistant Visual Merchandiser at the Talbots Flagship store in Boston, MA. She sees both fashion and digital design as art, and art has always been a huge part of her life, shaping her creative and professional journey.
Passionate about helping small businesses thrive, Sierra has worked with various businesses to launch their journey and has volunteered with organizations to assist people in starting their businesses and building their online presence. She has recently taken on the role of Interim Executive Director at Art for the Soul Gallery, where she continues to bridge creativity, business, and community engagement.
VANESSA FORD
Superpowers: seeing the sacred in everything and everyone, the cutest grandkids
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Vanessa is a vocal artist who has written, arranged and recorded many choral and praise and worship songs. She has sung in special events across the US and is the founding director of the Springfield CommUnity Chorale and a member of The Brianna Fund for Children with Physical Disabilities Gospel Planning Team. Vanessa is the Board President of Blues to Green, which hosts the annual Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival. She is also a member of the PVPA Board of Trustees, a member of Public Health Institute of Western MA Youth Mental Health Advisory Coalition and the New England Teaching Artist Collaborative Steering Group. From 2012-2020, Vanessa served as Director of Operations for State Senator James T. Welch where she managed the district office and staff, maintained the Senator's schedule and was responsible for the oversight of constituent services and community outreach & engagement.
ADVISORS
ROSEMARY TRACY WOODS
NORA TREBBEE MAROULIS
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Nora leads campaign planning and strategy for Historic New England, bringing over 25 years of cultural non-profit management, fundraising, and marketing experience to the Board.
Nora began her career working on the front lines of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's $1B capital and endowment campaign. She then went on to lead Development at the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art, before returning to her native New England to oversee the launch and positioning of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Her commitment to increasing the capacity and vitality of the cultural sector has continued as a member of the leadership teams at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Worcester Art Museum, and the Emily Dickinson Museum. She has also served as a board member of MassCreative and UMass' Fine Arts Center.
In addition, Nora works as an independent consultant, assisting some of the region's leading non-profits in designing, positioning, and launching major strategic initiatives, while connecting with transformative donors.
JACQUELINE SHERIDAN
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Jacqueline is a freelance television and video producer with over 15 years of experience in producing television, museum, and web-based programs.
Her clients include the BBC, PBS, Monadnock Media, and Boston Productions. Jacqueline has been the producer for several TV series, including Life Below Zero, America’s Hidden Stories, The Ghost Army, Goldfathers, and Tougher in Alaska.
PAUL ROBBINS