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Creative Team
RiseUP’s creative team is made up of talented muralists, designers, storytellers, and makers who bring community visions to life. Our artists represent the diversity, culture, and creativity of Connecticut—collaborating with youth, residents, and partners to create artwork that inspires belonging and pride.
Interested in joining our network?
How It All Started
RiseUP was founded in 2012 as a youth mentoring and development initiative with a simple but powerful mission: to empower young people to become catalysts for community change. Guided by its founding pillars of Support, Access, and Service, the program began as an after-school mentoring network in Hartford, connecting students with college and career opportunities, academic support, and community service projects.
In its early years, RiseUP’s youth participated in Career and College Access Days, visiting major employers and universities to expand their horizons. Weekends were spent volunteering—cleaning parks, supporting local shelters, and strengthening community ties. These formative experiences built RiseUP’s foundation of empowerment through action.
From Mentoring to Movement
Youth Development
2012
The Creative Leadership and Elevate Programs grew from RiseUP’s early mentorship roots, integrating creativity, service, and wellness in schools.
RiseUP for Arts
2016
Connecticut’s only statewide nonprofit producing community-driven public art, with over 300 murals created in more than 50 towns and cities
RiseUP Home & Commercial Services
Pre-Covid: 2017
Post Covid: 2022
Launched social enterprise offering second-chance paid training, linking workforce development with neighborhood revitalization.
Able Solutions
2023
Emerged from RiseUP’s commitment to inclusion, we launched the Able Table, a universally accessible public art installation ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.
In 2016, a group of RiseUP students painted a mural in Hartford as part of their service learning. With no public art organization to guide them, RiseUP stepped in—organizing the wall, funding, and artists. That one project turned a blighted wall into a symbol of pride and sparked a statewide movement.
From that moment, RiseUP for Arts was born—now Connecticut’s leading public art nonprofit with 300+ murals across 50+ towns.
Over time, RiseUP continued to implement solutions to meet broader community needs, launching:
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Creative Leadership Program and Elevate Leadership Program to help youth lead change,
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Home & Commercial Services to create second-chance jobs, and
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Able Solutions to build inclusion through accessible design.
Today, RiseUP stands as Connecticut’s leading creative placemaking and community empowerment organization, turning art into opportunity and transforming public spaces into platforms for belonging, pride, and progress
Youth Leadership
Celebrating identity through 300+ murals across 40+ towns.
Public Art & Placemaking
Celebrating identity through 300+ murals across 40+ towns.
Second Chance Workforce
Celebrating identity through 300+ murals across 40+ towns.
Accessible Design
Second-chance employment provided to individuals in need.
Meet our Leadership Team
Matt Conway
Executive Director
Katia Jarbath-Smith
Director of Operations and Muralist
Julie Bergeron
Teaching Artist, Project Coordinator, Muralist
Joy Monroe
Teaching Artist, RiseUP Studios Coordinator, and Artist
Joel Poskus
Director, Home & Commercial Services
Debbie Williams
Director and Co-Founder, Able Solutions
Harry Amadasun
Director, Greater Hartford Region and Board Member
Chris Gann
Project Logistics Coordinator and Muralist
Arlene Torres
Manager, RiseUP Hartford Studio
Alissa Siegal
Director, Stamford Murals and Muralist
Core Partners
RiseUP’s work is made possible through the support of dedicated partners who believe in creativity, opportunity, and community-driven change. Our sponsors, donors, and collaborating organizations help bring murals to neighborhoods, empower youth in schools, fund workforce pathways, and expand accessible design across Connecticut.
Together, we’re building stronger, more creative communities.
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RiseUP's Board of Directors
Robert Otaluka
Board President and Co-Founder
Serving since 2012
Max Amster
Treasurer and Original Board Member
Serving Since 2013
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Trisana Spence, Esq
Board Member and Co-Founder
Serving Since 2016
Matt Conway
Board Member and Co-Founder
Serving since 2012
Harry Amadasun
Board Member
Serving Since 2024
Carmen Veal Conway
Board Member
Serving Since 2018
Ryan Demadis
VP of Board and Original Board Member
Serving Since 2013