Monthaven Art and Cultural Center

Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center
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Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center
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Administration

Our staff is comprised of some of the most talented people in their field. Together we formed a team to work in tandem to provide immense value to our community. 

Cheryl Strichik

Cheryl Strichik

Executive Director, CEO

Cheryl Strichik

Executive Director, CEO

Cheryl Strichik is the Executive Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. Strichik officially assumed the role on October 1, 2017, after serving as MACC’s Director…

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John Pitcher

John Pitcher

Chief Operation Office

John Pitcher

Chief Operation Officer

John Pitcher is the immediate past chairman of the board of the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. He joined the staff as chief operating officer in January 2019…

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Tonya Mirtes

Tonya Mirtes

Deputy Director

Tonya Mirtes

Deputy Director

Tonya Mirtes is the recently appointed Deputy Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, where she has previously served as Administrative Services…

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Celeste Davidson

Celeste Davidson

Development Director

Celeste Davidson

Development Director

Celeste Davidson joined the staff in 2022 and oversees all of the MACC’s fundraising operations. She brings significant experience to the position. As the former owner…

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Drew Kirk

Education Coordinator

Drew Kirk

Director of Arts Education and Outreach

Drew Kirk is a multifaceted artist and Navy veteran, whose creative journey has been enriched by his diverse experiences. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Austin Peay State University…

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Susan Prado

Susan Prado

Grants Director

Susan Prado

Grants Director

Susan Prado is the Grants Director for Monthaven, where she has served since July 2017. She is also a founding member of the Women of Monthaven volunteer auxiliary…

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Donna Weekly

Donna Weekly

Accountant

Donna Woodley

Accountant

Donna Woodley joined Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in 2023 as an accountant to handle all in-house bookkeeping duties for the center. …

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Morelia Cuevas

Morelia Cuevas

Events Coordinator

Morelia Cuevas

Events Coordinator

Morelia Cuevas joined the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in 2021 as events coordinator. In short order, she got things hopping at Monthaven…

Read More
Sarah Huffman

Sarah Huffman

Healing Arts Coordinator

Sarah Huffman

Healing Arts Coordinator

Sarah Ruccio Huffman joined Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in 2023 as our healing arts coordinator. She is an expressive therapist and clinical chaplain…

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Ruth Chase

Ruth Chase

Regional Arts Director

Ruth Chase

Regional Arts Director

Ruth Chase is the Regional Arts Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, joining the team in 2023. For Ruth, the job is all about community…

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Kaylin Warden

External Affairs Coordinator

Kaylin Warden

External Affairs Coordinator

Kaylin Warden joined the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center staff in 2024 as External Affairs Coordinator. In this post, she organizes…

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Become A Team Member

To become a team member you can reach out to us and have a chat. We are very happy about your enthusiasm to join the team and look forward to hearing from you.

Cheryl Strichik

Executive Director, CEO

Cheryl Strichik is the Executive Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. Strichik officially assumed the role on October 1, 2017, after serving as MACC’s Director of External Affairs and Chief Curator from February- September 2017.  As DEA, she was responsible for curating and coordinating exhibitions, securing corporate sponsors, establishing a membership campaign that grew individual donor support by 800% in one year, implementing patrons’ dinners, managing capital improvements to the historic structure, establishing a 10-member volunteer women’s auxiliary board, and improving media relations by securing several high-profile press articles and news reports about Monthaven throughout 2017.  Under her leadership as Executive Director, she has established the MACC as a cultural hub for the region, attracting such partnerships as Park West Foundation (the world’s leading fine art dealer) and Booth Museum of Western Art, and an impressive, ever-growing list of world-class national and international exhibitions to Sumner County, such as “Picasso: Master in Clay” and “Alexandre Renoir: Beauty Remains,” as well as “The Elegance of Royal Fashion: Featuring the Gowns of Diana, Princess of Wales.”  In addition to leading the exponential expansion of MACC programming and staff development, she is spearheading an ambitious vision for the future of Monthaven as a jewel-box museum and the leading center for arts and culture in Sumner County, with a capital campaign that includes land acquisition, the construction of a dedicated youth arts enrichment center, and other unique arts and cultural amenities for our region.

Strichik is a veteran of the non-profit fund raising sector having been the CEO of Educational Media Group for over 20 years. The firm raised money for over sixty non-profit radio and television stations nationwide. She and her husband were also the owners of the Striped Door Art Gallery in downtown Nashville from 2002 to 2008. The late Bruce Peebles, Tony Hernandez, Jairo Prado and Isa Koopman were a few of the gallery favorites. Strichik serves and has served on boards of American Radio, The Documentary Channel, Teleforce Service, HolidayFest TN, and the TN State Museum Women’s Committee 2011-12. She is a member of Newcomers Club of Sumner County and Sumner County Women in Business.

John Pitcher

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

John Pitcher is the immediate past chairman of the board of the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. He joined the staff as chief operating officer in January 2019 and oversees the organization’s strategic operations and finances. In this post, he facilitates the work of multiple teams at the MACC, assisting with finance, development, exhibitions, education and communications. He has also played a leading role in crafting the organization’s strategic business plan and has made substantial contributions to its capital campaign plan. As a community volunteer, Pitcher was twice appointed a director of the Hendersonville Arts Council by the City of Hendersonville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen, He was later elected by the Arts Council’s board to serve as its chairman. Before becoming an arts administrator, he spent nearly a quarter century working with and writing about arts organizations as an arts journalist, having worked as a writer and critic for such outlets as The Washington Post and National Public Radio. He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York City and has been an adjunct professor of arts journalism at Vanderbilt University. He also hosts a Sunday morning radio program on WXNA FM in Nashville.

Tonya Mirtes

Deputy Director

Tonya Mirtes is the recently appointed Deputy Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, where she has previously served as Administrative Services Coordinator since March 2019.  Her current role includes visitor and member relations, accounts payable and receivable, and bookkeeping administration. Her role also includes administrative facilitation of MACC’s educational programming, such as new student enrollment and active maintenance of class rosters for youth and adults, while maintaining relations with parents and teaching artists on staff.  A Nashvillian since 1990, she moved to Hendersonville in 2018.  She has over 15 years of non-profit experience, formerly working at Autism Tennessee since its inception, and continues to be active in the disability community with organizations such as Best Buddies TN.

Celeste Davidson

Development Director

Celeste Davidson joined the staff in 2022 and oversees all of the MACC’s fundraising operations. She brings significant experience to the position. As the former owner of The Go Go Gourmet in Gallatin, Tenn., Davidson was responsible for planning and executing major events. She also managed her organization’s client database. Prior to launching her own venture, she worked as chief operating officer of Nashville’s Educational Marketing Group. While there, she helped design and implement corporate strategies for this multi-million-dollar firm. She also assisted the CEO in fundraising. At the MACC, Davidson will oversee fundraising strategy and be responsible for planning and executing the organization’s annual campaign.

Drew Kirk

ART TEACHER

Drew Kirk is a multifaceted artist and Navy veteran, whose creative journey has been enriched by his diverse experiences. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Austin Peay State University, his passion for art blossomed into a profound exploration of mixed media, sculpture, photography, and pottery. Drew has shared his expertise and creativity as a middle school art teacher, inspiring countless students to unlock their artistic potential.

Susan Prado

Grants Director

Susan Prado is the Grants Director for Monthaven, where she has served since July 2017. She is also a founding member of the Women of Monthaven volunteer auxiliary board, and contributed to the preliminary long-range strategic vision of Monthaven with in-kind design consultation and architectural design services for the planning of a future expanded campus.

Prado is also a visual artist, writer, community arts facilitator, and public art project design coordinator. A native Nashvillian, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from MTSU in 2001, and began working in collaboration with husband Jairo Prado in 2005, establishing Prado Studio. She has one foot in the world of interior design, architecture, and urban planning, and the other foot in the world of fine art, craft, and community investment, with an emphasis in grant writing, managing public art projects and architectural installations. Her most recognized project collaboration to date is "Migration," a 30’ x 12’ architectural mosaic mural commissioned by Conexión Américas for the façade of the Casa Azafrán Community Center, sponsored by the TN Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts. Her personal and community-based art explores creative, cultural and spiritual identity as well as the process of transformation.

Donna Weekly

Accountant

Donna Woodley joined Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in 2023 as an accountant to handle all in-house bookkeeping duties for the center. Her experience over the years has included working for Big 4 firms, property accounting, general accounting, audit, and non-profit work. While Donna has managed a successful accounting career for over 25 years, she is also an accomplished visual artist and art educator who maintains her studio practice in Nashville, TN. Donna was named Nashville’s Best New Artist in 2016 by the Nashville Scene’s annual “Best Of” issue. She was a featured artist for the Rep. John Lewis Mural project installed in downtown Nashville. Donna has exhibited nationally and internationally. Her achievements include the award-winning group exhibition We Count: First Time Voters at The Frist Art Museum and a solo exhibition in the Nashville International Airport. Her commissioned works are included in the 2nd and 3rd classes of Vanderbilt University’s Trailblazers Initiative collection in addition to works included in the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center collection. One of Donna’s recent accomplishments was serving as liaison and logistics coordinator for the inaugural performance of the National African American Wind Symphony in Boulder, Colo. Sponsored by the NAACP Boulder County Branch, the performance attracted 1,200 people. She enjoys laughing, helping people, making and teaching art, and spending time with her family.

Morelia Cuevas

Events Coordinator

Morelia Cuevas joined the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in 2021 as events coordinator. In short order, she got things hopping at Monthaven, with such popular events as Sweet Summer Concert Series, ArtoberFest and our annual Christmas Tree Lighting all becoming much anticipated happenings. Naturally, Morelia brought considerable experience to the job. Known professionally as MORELIA, she is the only “Rhinestone Heiress” in the world. She is also one of the most sought-after hostesses in Nashville. This social lady is granddaughter of internationally famous Rodeo Tailor Nudie, and daughter of Manuel, couture clothier to the stars. Manuel is known as the legendary fashion designer for kings of other nations as well as kings and queens of film, music, and sports. Manuel is still in the creative prime of his life and continues to work almost every day, with Morelia frequently at his side. One of Morelia’s greatest assets is her laughter. She is recognized and loved for her infectious happiness and smile. When in her company for even a few moments, others soon find themselves feeling good and laughing out loud. Behind her smiles, she remains passionate and loyal in everything she does, for everyone she knows. Among her numerous community activities, Morelia serves on the Board of Directors for Nashville’s WIFT, Women in Film and Television. WIFT was established in 1997 and is dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media. As a diabetic herself, Morelia also strongly supports the American Diabetes Association in its efforts to help prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Morelia will always lend a hand to others, along with a smile and laughter with style and grace, and we all know that is what the world needs now.

Sarah Huffman

Healing Arts Coordinator

Sarah Ruccio Huffman joined Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in 2023 as our healing arts coordinator. She is an expressive therapist and clinical chaplain who has worked in the environments of residential addiction treatment, inpatient psychiatric treatment, medical hospitalization, and hospice care. Sarah strongly believes that creativity helps the process of mental, emotional, and spiritual recovery as it empowers individuals to make choices, access buried thoughts and feelings, and share their story through a new lens. Sarah is grateful to be part of the Healing Arts Program at Monthaven as a group facilitator to bring therapeutic art to community partners and help cultivate a culture of recovery through the creative arts. “Art is the set of wings to carry you out of your own entanglement.” -Joseph Campbell

Ruth Chase

Regional Arts Director
Ruth Chase is the Regional Arts Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, joining the team in 2023. For Ruth, the job is all about community, bringing people together to uplift and educate artists and art lovers alike. Her role at Monthaven is to strengthen the local artist community and build connections that will enrich Hendersonville and our surrounding communities through art exhibitions, art education, and opportunities for regional artists.
 
Prior to joining Monthaven, Ruth worked in the arts for over 30 years and is a multimedia artist and graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute. Her artistic practice is inquiry-based and engages in community bridge-building. She was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, curated and juried exhibitions, and has taught at the Crocker Art Museum.
 
Ruth was awarded an Artist-in-Residence for Artist Activating Communities through a grant from the California Arts Council for three consecutive years. Her film Belonging screened at both the 18th Annual Nevada City Film Festival and Wild & Scenic Film Festival. She has received the Legendary Female Artist of Venice award, and she has exhibited in The Crocker Kingsley, the Museum of Northern California Art, and the Diego Rivera Gallery at the San Francisco Art Institute. Ruth also continues her work as a Curatorial Consultant and Art director for the Californian Indigenous Research Project, where she has worked with the local tribe since 2018. 

Kaylin Warden

External Affairs Coordinator

Kaylin Warden joined the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center staff in 2024 as External Affairs Coordinator. In this post, she organizes special off-site events and manages the organization’s external communications. She also works with the development department by updating the MACC’s customer relations database, and she assists the executive director in setting up exhibitions. Above all else, Kaylin is passionate about the arts. It comes as no surprise, then, that she is now pursuing a master’s degree in art history. When she’s not at the MACC, you can find her reading her favorite books (especially ones dealing with maritime mysteries), cooking, gardening, playing with her cat and two dogs, and cheering for the Nashville Predators.