meet the organization
Board of Directors
Sharon Strine - Chair
In her role as Chair, Sharon offers a combination of skills crucial to the success of our show. Sharon’s background includes first hand experience in steering economic development, urban revitalization, strategic marketing, and small business advancement. As a painter, Sharon annually travels to a select number of top shows in the country from her home in New York City. RSFAS is the beneficiary of her commitment to strengthening community bonds fueled by her passion for the non-profit arena.
Sarah Pollock - Vice Chair
A former color stylist for Walt Disney Feature Animation who now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, Sarah has been a full-time fine artist since 2003 and her artwork is found in collections around the world. She exhibits in outdoor art shows throughout the East and Midwest. Among her valuable talents, Sarah has also volunteered as a University of Tennessee Extension Master Gardener. Sarah brings her leadership experience to the role of Vice Chair for the board having worked with multiple arts organizations, including the Maryland Pastel Society and the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania.
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Amy Leigh Carstensen - Treasurer
Amy Leigh Carstensen's considerable expertise brings insight and practical skills to her roll as Treasurer of the RSFAA. A Self-taught artist, Amy is an award-winning abstract painter who regularly exhibits at the top festivals across the country. Prior to becoming a painter, Amy practiced law for many years, specializing in business law, business planning, and non-profit law. Amy has served on various boards, including time with Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure.
Lila Turjanski Villard - Secretary
Lila studied clay sculpture privately in her country of origin, Argentina, for many years. After moving to the US she expanded her sculptural work to include mixed media, which led her to participate in various art shows and galleries across the eastern part of the country for more than a decade. She has been an exhibitor at Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show since 2012. In addition to her work as a sculptor, Lila’s background includes varied experience in the nonprofit field that serve her well in the role of Secretary.
David Oleski
David began exhibiting at outdoor festivals in 1999, and has served on the RSFAA board since 2000. He travels extensively throughout the year to show his colorful still-life and abstract oil paintings at many of the top festivals on the national circuit. His involvement with the local art scene includes painting classes, art business workshops and collaborative efforts to help create a lively artist community with many of his contemporaries from the local galleries and national festivals. As a veteran road warrior in the art industry, he draws from a wealth of experience and insight to help shape the decisions of the Rittenhouse board.
Rinal Parikh
A biochemist by training, Rinal has been a professional artist for more than 10 years. During that time she has gathered skills well beyond mastering the traditional painting styles of her native India. Rinal is a regular exhibitor in the Philadelphia area, winning honors such as the Loos Award for Works on Paper at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, and having work published in the Rathalla Review and Philadelphia Stories magazines. In addition Rinal is a social media maven, applying her knowledge to help increase the online visibility of our Fine Art shows.
Kerry Sacco
A native Pennsylvanian, Kerry attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, focusing on lithography and oil painting. Since that time Kerry has traveled the world to capture the striking light and shadow effects that illuminate her work. She has been honored with multiple awards in the tri-state area including 1st place at the Bucks County Gallery’s Local Color Plein Air Festival. A frequent exhibitor, Kerry brings an insider’s knowledge of the nuanced logistics involved in organizing a successful fine art show.
Jeff Schaller
An active artist, Jeff exhibits regularly in national and international shows from New York to Switzerland. His work can be found in the permanent collections of The Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, GA, and the Lancaster Museum of Art in Lancaster, PA.
Jeff's marketing talents came to light thirteen years ago when he created the wildly successful Chester County Studio Tour, helping over 300 artists exhibit and sell their work. He has since expanded this concept, establishing tours in Delaware and Montgomery Counties. Jeff brings an insightful perspective to the board as we develop our outreach strategy to meet the needs of the artistic community.
Kim Smith
Kim Smith brings a wealth of experience to the table as one of our newest board members. Based in Lancaster, PA, Kim has built a substantial following for her website, social media and various ventures including teaching workshops, both at home and abroad. Her natural abilities as an educator have helped her to make strong and lasting connections with her fan base, and we look forward to having her on our team building our social media presence and website outreach.
Want to get involved?
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Association is a non-profit organization formed for the purpose of presenting the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show twice annually. Its Board of Directors is composed solely of artists who participate in the shows.
Professional artists with experience at the Rittenhouse show, who also have interest in board service, are welcome to submit a resume at any time. Board positions are filled as they become available.
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Staff
Chris Buonomo - Managing Director
Chris has served on the board since 2018, and he brings a wealth of artistic and managerial experience to the position. He served as a sculptor's apprentice in Prague, after earning a BFA from the University of the Arts. His management skills included being co-owner of a local union HVAC company, serving the tri-state area, before forming 13 Degrees Studios in Philadelphia. As an exhibitor at the show since 2016, his organic stone and wood sculptures, and abstract paintings, revealing an ambitious and creative course of study.
Jeanne Petrosky - Managing Director's Assistant
Jeanne is no stranger to the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. Throughout her 35 years as a full-time artist, she has participated in 27 of our shows. Having also been on the board for several terms over the years, she is the perfect choice to help make sure everything runs smoothly during show weekends. Look for Jeanne on the Square in June and September. She's always happy to help!
Steve Stern - Financial Director
Steve is a semi-retired nonprofit finance professional with more than twenty years of hands-on experience directing the financial activities for INCLUDEnyc, St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction, and Families Reaching in Ever New Directions.
After graduating from Drexel University with a BS in Commerce and Engineering, he started his career in the music and direct marketing industries before moving to the not-for-profit world where he felt his work was more meaningful. Since November 2022, he has worked with Extreme Kids and Crew, a nonprofit that provides recreational activities to neurodiverse children and youth in Brooklyn, New York.
Kris McKercher - Student Coordinator
Kris develops relationships with art colleges and universities across the Delaware Valley and beyond. She oversees the planning and detailed orchestration of the student section of our show ensuring a smooth event for all involved. Kris has a talent for interacting with students at all points along the way, providing the structure and information needed for success. The student exhibit in the center of the park is a historic and integral portion of our shows.
Parris Bacai - Hospitality Coordinator
A Philadelphia-based interior designer, Parris brings her considerable talents as a business owner to her work with RSFAS. With over 14 years of experience making her customers happy, we are thrilled to have Parris' enthusiasm and skills as she orchestrates the best experience for our artists and patrons.
Parris holds a BFA in interior design from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and an MFA In interior design From Parsons New School, in New York. She is the owner and principal designer at Urban Poetic Design.