Meet Our Team

HCFAC CHAIR & PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS CHAIR

Allisa has lived in Brooksville since she was 8 years old (20 years). Allisa is the founder of Roots Creative Co. where she finds joy in creating meaningful content and one-of-a-kind experiences for local businesses and she is a mixed media artist and photographer. She has a passion for art, nature, and people. Because of her shared love for art and community, her favorite HCFAC program is the partnership with Brooksville Main Street, the Mobile Mural Program, which she developed with her friend Jessica Knutila. Allisa joined the Arts Council in 2019 to help modernize the council and engage the community with new programs and events that are designed to be accessible to all.

HCFAC VICE CHAIR & PUBLIC ART CHAIR

Pedram moved to Brooksville 6 years ago. He is the Art Gallery Coordinator at Gallery 201 (located inside Brooksville City Hall) and he is also a freelance consultant. His passions include art, plants, painting, and permaculture. Art in the Park is his favorite HCFAC program and he loves the excitement of the receptions put on in partnership with the city of Brooksville at Gallery 201. His main reason for joining the council in 2021 was to make more art. Gallery submissions have increased exponentially since he became the Gallery Coordinator, so it is safe to say that he is making and bringing more art to the Hernando County community alongside countless artists each and every day!

TREASURER, COMMUNITY ARTS GRANT CHAIR & AITP EXHIBITOR COORDINATOR

Cheryl has been a Brooksville resident for 43 years. Although she is retired, Cheryl remains busy with the numerous Arts Council programs she plays a key role in. In her spare time, she loves traveling, gardening, and entertaining. The Community Arts Grant is her favorite HCFAC program which she has taken the lead on since 2020. Cheryl joined the Arts Council in 2019. She describes herself as an appreciator of art and says that when she saw that her county was growing and changing in a positive direction, she wanted to be a part of making the arts a part of that growth!

OUTREACH + ADVOCACY CHAIR & SECRETARY

Diane has lived in Hernando Beach for 10 years. Although retired, she stays busy with her many hobbies & passions– photography, events, websites, and social media marketing. Her favorite HCFAC programs are Front Porch Art Walk and Art Everywhere. She started FPAW single-handedly and the HCFAC is proud to support the initiative alongside her. Wishing to put her skills to work to help market the arts and help create an art community in Hernando Beach, Diane joined the council in 2021.

AITP ENTERTAINMENT COORDINATOR

Isaiah grew up in Spring Hill and has lived here for 21 years. He works at NAMI Hernando, is a barista serving up corny jokes at Mountaineer Coffee, and is a musician and artist. In his spare time, he enjoys performing with his band, He Kindly, around Hernando and surrounding areas, playing D&D with friends, and serving his community. Art Everywhere is his favorite Arts Council program and he always enjoys performing at Gallery 201! Isaiah joined the Arts Council in 2022 with a desire to bring his perspective as a musician to the team in order to help expand performance art and live music in the county.

HCFAC ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT & MMP COORDINATOR

Jessica grew up spending summers in Hernando County and has lived in Spring Hill for 7 years. Jessica is a talented glass artist and creative manager for senOiH. She has ventured into community work and public art, coordinating the Mobile Mural Project and serving as the HCFAC office admin. She is passionate about learning and is a self-described tourist of where she lives, often found foraging for local fruits or fossil hunting. She’s dedicated to making the arts accessible & fostering a culture that empowers artists to thrive. She loves Art in the Park and Gallery 201, but she is most excited about our grant programs! Jessica has been involved with HCFAC since 2020.

COUNCIL MEMBER

John was born in Youngstown before Largo HS and graduated in Tampa, USF, in Computer engineering. Retired, he devotes his time to art. He plays sax in the Winds, writes in The Writing Guild of Wellington, produces his own plays (The Profligate Daughter) on the Brookridge stage (for now), and promotes all types of wholesome art with his nonprofit. His recent novel, I Get Misty, is SF suitable as a draw toward STEM careers for young women. He is 42 years married to Sandra with 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys finding venues and fitting artists for everyone’s benefit.

COUNCIL MEMBER

Meet our newest council member, Lisa Hannon! Lisa has been a resident of Hernando County for 17 years, and currently lives in Spring Hill. She is the CEO of Mrs. Grout LLC, and has been a major sponsor of Art in the Park for a few years! In fact, Art in the Park is Lisa’s favorite Arts Council event. She joined the Arts Council in 2023 to give back, as she is passionate about bringing art into the community and growing the arts scene here in Hernando County. Lisa enjoys all forms of art and also loves camping, boating, and her amazing family!

FUNDRAISING CHAIR

Marla has been a Hernando County resident for almost 3 years. She works as a paralegal, and has many hobbies, including Sewing, Interior Design, Dance, Reading, Water sports, Cooking, Baking. Passions: Natural Health, Education, Music, and Art. As a former frame shop owner, she joined the Arts Council to get involved in the Art World again! Catch her at her favorite Arts Council event - the Front Porch Art Walk!

AITP CHILDREN’S EXPERIENCE AREA COORDINATOR

Nidia has called Hernando County home for 19 years. She lives and works in Spring Hill as a music teacher with Suzuki String Nature Coast and a public notary. She loves crocheting and event planning and is passionate about all things music! This can be seen in her wonderful work with Suzuki String Nature Coast. Art in the Park is her favorite HCFAC event. Nidia joined the council in 2023 with a desire to spread the arts around our community and bring music into more events and programming of the council.

ART EVERYWHERE CHAIR & AITP PARKING COORDINATOR

Nina has lived in Brooksville for 5 years. She is an Emergency Planner at the Department of Health here in Hernando County. In her spare time, Nina enjoys woodworking, letterpress printing, traditional wooden boat building, Seminole war re-enacting, and home improvement projects. She developed both the Art Everywhere and Nature Heals programs and they hold a special place in her heart. Nina says she has always loved art and when she moved to Brooksville, she found herself wanting to get deeply involved in her community, which led her to join the council in 2019.

COUNCIL MEMBER

Ron is a local glassblower who is excited to help set policy that protects our local artists. He has been a Hernando County resident for 3 years and lives in Spring Hill. His favorite Arts Council event is Art in the Park! When asked why he joined the Arts Council, Ron said, “I recall my mother sending me to a Saturday art school when I was 8 years old; a seed was planted then, and it blossomed into an artist in my 30’s. I believe the Arts Council is the best way to get the art message out to the public.” Check out Ron’s glasswork at Gallery 201!