ArtAwake is organized by a team of student volunteers at the University of Rochester. Feel free to contact us for any information!

Emily McGraw

Head Co-Director ’12

Emily is a senior double majoring in Political Science and History with a minor in music.  On campus, Emily is the President of External Affairs of No Jackets Required and the founder of the UR Music Therapy Workshops for children with autism spectrum disorders.  She is an active proponent of education reform and serves as the Campus Campaign Coordinator for Teach for America.  When not in meetings or class, Emily can be found either playing classical piano or studying in Rush Rhees.

Melissa Martin

Head Co-Director ’13

Melissa is a junior studying both English with a Concentration in Theater and Cultural Communications. She is an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, TOOP (The Opposite of People Theater Company) a student run Theater Company at the University bringing free theater to the masses and she balances working onstage and behind the scenes for URITP here on campus. She is often found at Starbucks serving only the most delectable of espresso drinks to many a caffeine-deprived student and/or professor.

Russell Tobias

Business Manager ’13

Russell is a junior, Mechanical Engineering major. He is involved with the Tiernan Project community service group, where he serves as the Membership Chair.  As membership chair, he has expanded the membership base and record requirements. He is also a part of Urban exploring as the Business Manager. His hobbies include running, kayaking, sculpting, and tutoring.

Kory Buresh

Performance Director ’13

Kory is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in both Journalism and Clinical Psychology.  He loves sports, has a three-legged cat named Tripod, and is a die-hard Nebraska Cornhusker fan.

Lauren Blair

Art Director ’13

Lauren is a junior majoring in Studio Arts.  She is involved in the Hartnett Gallery Committee, Art and Art History Undergraduate Council, and is an SA at Sage Art Center.  She lives and breathes all things art!

Cait Munro

Art Director ’12

Cait Munro is a senior at the University of Rochester pursuing a double major in Art History and Film/Media Studies. She is originally from Washington, DC, but recently spent the semester in Amsterdam, The Netherlands studying film at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Cait enjoys creative writing, traveling, fashion, and going to museums and concerts. She is so excited to be a part of the ArtAwake team this year!

Katie Hoff

Art Director ’12

Katie is currently a senior majoring in Psych and minoring in business and has always had an interest in the art world.  Having attended ArtAwake in previous years, she is excited to now be a part of the ArtAwake team to learn and contribute to this great program!

JT Gaskill

Marketing Director ’13

JT is a junior majoring in Popular Music and Jazz as well as minoring in Legal Studies. He is the Vice President of the Art & Art History Undergraduate Council and a member of the Rock Repertory Ensemble. JT cannot wait to be a part of ArtAwake once more.

Bonita Sur

Marketing Director ’12

Bonita is a senior majoring in Psychology with minors in Business and Studio Arts. She is a Rochester native and enjoys making pottery, painting, and creating jewelry. She hopes to work for a marketing company after graduating while continuing her passion for art.

Lisa Kaggen

Interactive Art Director ’12

Lisa Kaggen is a senior who just returned from a semester in South Africa. She is majoring in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, minoring in Studio Art and is involved in Phi Sigma Sigma as well as the Hartnett Gallery committee. Lisa loves film photography and is usually covered in paint.

Sonya Bentovich

Food Director ’12

Sonya Bentovich is double majoring in Psychology and Economics. She has a taste for many things but her passion lies in food justice, the great outdoors and crafts.

Laura Dombrowski

Food Director ’12

Laura is a senior pursuing a B.A. in English Literature and B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences.  She is involved with UR Voters and works as a Peer Mentor through the Rochester Center for Community Leadership.  Her passions include appreciating both written and verbal works of art, writing, and (of course) eating delicious food!

Kristiana Lachiusa

Community Outreach Director ’14

Kristiana Lachiusa is a Sophomore at the University of Rochester. She is a member of the varsity crew team.  Majoring in neuroscience and minoring in public health she hopes to attend medical school someday.  She is also taking many art history classes, and is eager to continue exploring art and getting to the opportunity to put together a great exhibition!

David Bendes

Production Director ’11 KEY, ’12

David is in the Kaufmann Entrepreneurial Year program at the U of R. An Economics and Business Strategies major with minors in Computer Science and Music, he is also founder of Roc Thursdays, a non-profit concert venture aiming to educate U of R students about the concert business and connect the student body to the city music scene. When not working on his KEY project, you’ll find him playing drums (and learning guitar and bass), watching his beloved NY Knicks, and using his fifth year to further explore Rochester.

MacLain Christie

Production Director ’13

MacLain is majoring in Music Cognition at the University of Rochester with a minor in Music and Business and is the Operations Director for WRUR 88.5. He is a musician, songwriter, producer and DJ. He plans to create and support new methods of collaborative creativity across all fields in the arts.

Terri Kurtz

WebMaster ’12

Terri is a double major in math and neuroscience. She is a youth mentor through Compeer, a member of Delta Gamma, and a research assistant in the Concepts, Actions, and Objects lab. Outside the lab, Terri enjoys hiking and coffee. She attended ArtAwake for the first time last year, and she is excited to work behind the scenes this year as part of the ArtAwake team!

Natajah Roberts

Volunteer Coordinator ’14

Natajah is a sophomore, majoring in English with a minor in Movement Studies. On campus, she is a member of Phi Sigma Sigma and a barista at Starbucks. As a Cleveland native, she has worked with the city’s local art parade, Parade the Circle, creating costumes, floats, and giant puppets. In her down time, she enjoys running, knitting, and a good cup of tea