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.
Executive Director, CEO
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…
Chief Operation Office
Chief Operation Office
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…
Deputy Director
Deputy Director
Tonya Mirtes is the recently appointed Deputy Director of Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, where she has previously served as Administrative Services…
Development Director
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…
External Affairs Coordinator
External Affairs Coordinator
Kaylin Warden serves as the MACC’s Creative Design and Operations Manager. In this post, she oversees the organization’s graphic design work for exhibitions, events and special projects…
Grants Director
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…
Accountant
Accountant
Valentine Adams is the MACC’s healing arts director. In this role, he works to empower adults, teens and children suffering from post-traumatic stress…
Events Coordinator
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…
Regional Arts Director
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…
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 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 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 is the 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, and 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 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 oversees fundraising strategy and is responsible for planning and executing the organization’s annual campaign.
Kaylin Warden serves as the MACC’s Creative Design and Operations Manager. In this post, she oversees the organization’s graphic design work for exhibitions, events and special projects. She also coordinates the MACC’s arts outreach activities and assists with bookkeeping, among other duties. Kaylin, above all, 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.
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.
Valentine Adams is the MACC’s healing arts director. In this role, he works to empower adults, teens and children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other mental health disorders. A retired combat veteran, Adams also oversees the MACC’s Between the Lines healing arts program for military veterans, working with participants at the American Legion Post 17 Veterans Residence in Gallatin, Veterans Recovery Center in Murfreesboro, and other locations. Adams is probably best known in the Nashville area as a master metal sculptor. Working with found metal objects, he transforms discarded materials into captivating works of art. For Adams, the act of repurposing old things into something new symbolizes the profound allegory of the resurrection of spirit in humanity. He firmly believes that all that is broken is not lost, and through his art, he channels this belief into each intricate creation. As a retired Air Force officer, Adams found solace and healing in metal sculpting, using it as an artform to surpass the harrowing experiences of warfare. His work reflects his personal journey of turning fragmented shards into powerful statements of rebirth and resilience. Through his art, Adams aspires to inspire others to embrace their own life experiences, encouraging them to rise above their challenges and transform themselves into champions of their lives rather than victims.
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.