Jen Lewis

Executive Director

Jen Lewis has a passion for the visual arts and non-profit management. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Jennifer began her career in Jewish Community Centers. Among her proudest achievements was the creation of Live Yes Studio, an alternative arts based day program for adults with developmental disabilities in Lincoln Nebraska. When not working, Jen focuses on her son, a budding artist in his own right, who loves musical theatre.

Sarah Moore

4 Bridges Arts Festival Director and Programs Coordinator

Sarah Moore is a native Chattanoogan who has spent her entire professional career in the nonprofit sector, dedicated to arts and educational causes. With a BA in art from Carleton College and an MA in museum studies from George Washington University, she enjoys helping others find ways to create a meaningful space for art in their lives. In her spare time, she’s an avid knitter and loves to cook and bake, and enjoys long walks in Chattanooga's many parks. She lives with two ridiculous cats who have their own social media following.

Tim Goldsmith

Curator and Education Director

Tim Goldsmith is a native Chattanoogan whose family has been in the area for more than two hundred years. He has a BA in art from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia and an MFA in Socially Engaged Studio Art from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA. Outside of maintaining a multi-media art practice of his own, he has a variety of experiences as an arts educator, and most recently as an Adjunct Instructor in the Art Departments at UTC and Covenant College. As a curator, Tim has several years of experience curating exhibits and installations.

Mason Elmore

Programs Associate

Mason Elmore is a Chattanooga transplant originally from Florida. They have a BA in Nutrition & Dietetics from the University of North Florida. With an extensive background in health coaching, Mason makes it a priority to empower others towards their goals and overall happiness. For the last eight years Mason has specialized in Pet portraits in acrylic paint. When they aren’t painting animals, Mason is looking for any opportunity to paint large scale murals within the community and beyond.

2023-24 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Members at Large:

Ex Officio:

Ricky Supan, Immediate Past Chair

Larry Stone, Chair Emeritus

Juanita Tumelaire, Chair Emeritus

DEAI Statement

AVA recognizes that the organization effectiveness will be enhanced and its mission well served when the practice of diversity and inclusion is reflected in all aspects of the organization. We maintain that building and sustaining diversity requires an ongoing commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture.  AVA supports diversity across all lines of difference, including age, economic circumstance, ethnicity, sex, race, range of ability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression. As an organization, we are committed to breaking down barriers and advancing inclusion and equitability. We are dedicated to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment, membership and programs. We respect and value diverse life experiences and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We’re committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the Chattanooga arts community. We strive to maintain an inclusive environment. To advance these principles of authentic leadership for cultural equity, the Association for Visual Arts pledges to:

• Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, procedures, and programs.

• See diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to our mission and linked to the well-being of our staff and the arts communities we serve.

• Ensuring exhibitions, programming and other offerings are accessible to everyone.

• Collaborate and partner with diverse organizations in an effort to establish all artists, visitors and stakeholders feel seen, valued and supported. 

• Commit time and resources to expand a more diverse leadership within our board, staff, committees, membership and advisory bodies.

• Conduct DEAI trainings for AVA staff and leaderships to identify, prevent and respond to discriminatory practices as individuals and as an organization.