Meet the Staff
Lia Miller, Co-founder/Executive Director
Lia received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in video from Savannah College of Art & Design in 1990. She worked as a videographer, editor and digital artist for about 10 years before changing careers to work with older adults. In 2008, she co-founded Creative Aging Network-NC to enhance healthy aging through meaningful lifelong learning in the arts. In addition to developing and teaching visual art classes, she works to advance the field of creative aging for healthcare staff, artists, older adults and those closest to them through programming, training, conference presentations, and consultations. You can reach Lia at lia@can-nc.org or 336-303-9963.
Kelly Brooke Howard, Operations and Marketing Manager
Kelly has been a professional potter for 26 years. She trained at Converse University in Spartanburg, SC where she received a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics and at Penland School of Crafts studying iron and ceramics for the next 3 years. She taught pottery as the studio manager at the Spartanburg Museum of Art for 5 years, Sawtooth School for Visual Art, and High Point University. She is a two time recipient of an NC Regional Artists Grant from the NC Arts Council. She has extensive experience in marketing, program development, and operations with non-profits. kelly@can-nc.org
Robin Hart, Grants Manager
Robin brings an eclectic blend of experience to her work with CAN-NC, including decades in the entertainment industry, the non-profit realm, and as a former Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition. She moved to the Triangle/Triad region from Southern California in 2014, and has been working in the medium of collage since 2009. As a certified Compassion Cultivation Leader, she conducts workshops on mindfulness, compassion, and meditation. As Grants Manager, she researches and writes grant proposals on behalf of Creative Aging Network-NC.
Clay Studio Manager Ashley Jones is a sculpture and ceramics artist from Lexington, NC. She incorporates wild clay she gathers throughout North Carolina into her work to explore the relationship between medium and art. Gathering and processing wild clay has made her more connected to the pieces she creates. Each piece is made with intention and respect for the material and source of clay. She is currently working towards a BFA in Sculpture and Ceramics from UNC Greensboro. Ashley views art as a journey to learn and grow through. She hopes to integrate her artistic practice into my teaching practice, in order to empower students to explore their own creativity.
Meet our Core Teaching Artists
Vanita Bailey
Vanita received a BS with a concentration in Fine Arts and Psychology from Towson State University in 1981 and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from George Washington University in 1984. For more than 30 years, she worked as a clinical Art Therapist in military treatment facilities administering therapy to active duty service members and veterans with PTSD, chronic pain, and disabilities. Using a broad range of media, she targeted diminishing emotional stress through art.
Lee Mey
Lee received a Bachelor of Art- VAPA in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Science – Business Administration from Salem College in 2023. She, along with 3 friends started and manages RK’s Art, also known as Karenni Art and Culture Development, which aims to provide creative opportunities as well as a safe space for all Karenni artists to meet together. Through this group, they created the first Karenni Mural project in the United States and raised donations for IDPs in Myanmar through the arts. In 2023, they also created and published the very first Karenni coloring book. In addition to drawing and painting, Lee is a dancer, singer, and photography as well as an arts and culture advocate with the Karenni Community of Winston-Salem. “The arts have the power to move and change people and society in a way that few others are able to, so I want to showcase and preserve my culture through the arts. My vision and mission for doing arts are to be part of that positive change.”
Jennifer Donley
Multimedia artist Jennifer Donley was educated at the University of Georgia and Ohio University receiving a BFA in graphic design and illustration. Her students have ranged in age from 3 to 88. Jennifer has shown her work in Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia. “I am looking for beauty in the ordinary… choosing to find the light, always focusing on color and the natural elegance in our everyday objects and surroundings.”
Leslie Martin
Leslie received her BS degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 1985 from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. After moving to NC, Leslie received her certification as a counselor and began helping those struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. After raising her children, Leslie felt a pull to work with the older adult population and has incorporated her love of creativity with helping others enjoy the pleasures of making art. When pursuing her own creativity, Leslie enjoys sewing, knitting, painting and decoupage.
Kathryn Gauldin
Kathryn is an artist working with textiles, printing, synthetic and natural dyeing, weaving and other expressive techniques. She weaves in two and three dimensions using a variety of looms. She finds inspiration from nature, often using found materials. Kathryn studied art at UNCG, WCU, Haywood Production Crafts Program and holds a BA in Art from High Point College (University). She teaches in several regional art schools through artist residencies and exhibits in galleries and at festivals throughout NC.
Betsy Renfrew
Betsy holds an MFA in Painting & Drawing from UNCG with additional studies at Penland School of Crafts. She has over 18 years of teaching experience in NC community colleges and teaches ESOL to refugees and immigrants. She works with elder Montagnard artists documenting traditional Montagnard weaving. She was involved with ethnobotanical and oral history projects with members of the diverse Montagnard Dega community in Greensboro and academics from local universities. Betsy continues to work with elders from this community to learn more about the arts and culture of the indigenous people of Vietnam.
Get In Touch
Location: 2400 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405
Telephone: 336-303-9963
Email: info@can-nc.org
Hours: M-F: 9am – 5pm
Meet our Staff
Board of Directors
