Dayna Block, MAAT ATR, is a co-Founder and Executive Director of the Open Studio Project. As principal administrator, she oversees programming, fundraising, and finances at the Studio. She is an Instructor at the School of the Art Institute and a registered art therapist, with a MAAT from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Dayna lectures and runs workshops on the creative process locally and nationally. She serves on the nominating committee of the Illinois Art Therapy Association. She exhibits her artwork frequently and curates shows that raise awareness for social issues in the community. As an architect of OSP‚s creative process programming, and an unwavering believer in the artist inside of everyone, she is the primary holder of our egalitarian vision, and of our ethic of care. Evidence of her thriving relationship with the board includes creating a policy procedures book with the president, and initiating and carrying out the Long Range Planning process with the board.
Sarah Laing, MAAT, LPC, ATR is our Associate Director. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois and a Registered Art Therapist. She has an MA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BS in studio art from Skidmore College, NY. She is also an experienced gallery manager, serving for several years at a premier Chicago gallery. She exhibits her work and coordinates shows throughout the community. Sarah is responsible for program administration, outreach programs, and gallery direction. She is the primary internship coordinator, supervising graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. She works closely with the special events / gallery committee. She mentors volunteers by meeting regularly to share information and support. A strong advocate of community youth, she was instrumental in piloting our Art & Action out-of-school-time program.
Ted Harris
Ted Harris, M.A., is our Operations Director. He is a graduate of Brown University and of Harvard University's Philosophy program. He is experienced small business owner, and a former Development Specialist for Gads Hill Center. Ted brings skills of foundation research, grant proposal composition & reporting, annual campaign systems, marketing, computer graphics, and database design. He works closely with the Executive Director and the board to support the budget and fundraising plan, maintains the information technology and bookkeeping systems, and oversees volunteer program evaluation efforts, publications, and supports the marketing committee. He mentors our board Treasurer, who is a young neighborhood small business owner. An active artist, he also facilitates adult and teen art classes. A musician with a belief in the music inside of everyone, Ted is developing new music based programming for Open Studio.
Dayna Block, MAAT ATR, is a co-Founder and Executive Director of the Open Studio Project. As principal administrator, she oversees programming, fundraising, and finances at the Studio. She is an Instructor at the School of the Art Institute and a registered art therapist, with a MAAT from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Dayna lectures and runs workshops on the creative process locally and nationally. She serves on the nominating committee of the Illinois Art Therapy Association. She exhibits her artwork frequently and curates shows that raise awareness for social issues in the community. As an architect of OSP‚s creative process programming, and an unwavering believer in the artist inside of everyone, she is the primary holder of our egalitarian vision, and of our ethic of care. Evidence of her thriving relationship with the board includes creating a policy procedures book with the president, and initiating and carrying out the Long Range Planning process with the board.
Sarah Laing, MAAT, LPC, ATR is our Associate Director. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois and a Registered Art Therapist. She has an MA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BS in studio art from Skidmore College, NY. She is also an experienced gallery manager, serving for several years at a premier Chicago gallery. She exhibits her work and coordinates shows throughout the community. Sarah is responsible for program administration, outreach programs, and gallery direction. She is the primary internship coordinator, supervising graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. She works closely with the special events / gallery committee. She mentors volunteers by meeting regularly to share information and support. A strong advocate of community youth, she was instrumental in piloting our Art & Action out-of-school-time program.
