Jill Kearney is a writer, visual artist, and a former journalist and film executive. She is the daughter of artists who founded The Contemporary Art Workshop, an art center housed in a rambling former dairy factory in Chicago, Illinois.  As a child, she spent many formative summers in Provincetown, Mass, where local arts institutions anchored a diverse community of artists, writers, and fishermen. She graduated from Harvard with a degree in English and Creative Writing, worked in Hollywood as a creative executive at Francis Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios,  served as west coast editor of American Film and Premiere Magazine, and later ran the Tribeca Film Center-based offices of Los Angeles film producer Art Linson. She married Stephen McDonnell, founder of Applegate Farms Organic and Natural Meats, moved to Bucks County PA, worked briefly on the sausage line wearing a white cap, raised three strong and capable daughters, and sat on the board of Applegate Farms. Before launching ArtYard she produced theater, dance, and literary events in a cavernous unheated barn in Bucks County PA,  where she developed a deep appreciation for the practice of art as a collaborative enterprise.

Lucinda Warchol is an artist, writer and curator. She grew up in Manhattan and Bucks County. After graduating from Pratt Institute in 2015 where she earned a degree in Critical and Visual Studies, an interdisciplinary program grounded in contemporary critical theory, Lucinda worked in the context of both the primary and secondary art markets in New York City. She recently worked as the creative director to Spoonbill Studio, a project space founded by the unconventional art bookstore, Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers in Brooklyn. Lucinda’s own writing and work investigates collective memory, reinventing the archive and citizenship in times of displacement.

Chris Langhart is among the early innovators in lighting, rigging, staging, and sound, that helped shape rock & roll production. Chris was the technical mind that made significant production contributions to the Fillmore East, the Rainbow in London, Woodstock, the Wings tour of Europe with Paul McCartney, Jefferson Airplane, and any other show or event with which he was involved. Langhart created much of the production values that are the touring music business today. Teaching and mentoring others, Chris’ classes at New York University (NYU) theatre program in the late 1960s gave rise to students and future entrepreneurs such as Richard Hartman, Bob See, John Tedesco, John Chester, Bob Goddard, and Michael Ahern.

Eric Fiorito is an artist, performer, and proud toolpusher. Born and bred in New Jersey, Eric graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts in 1995 with a degree concentrating in Sculpture and Performance Art.  A fascination with prosthetic special effects makeup and the sculptural nature of lighting, rigging and facilitating camera movement, led him into a 24-year career in the motion picture film and commercial industry. Eric has worked as a Key Grip, Gaffer, Rigging/Dolly Grip, Assistant Camera, and Scenic Designer/Builder on numerous feature films, commercials, documentaries, museum installations, and music videos. Eric has been living and making art in Frenchtown with his wife and two children for over a decade, in this time he’s come to know, love and participate in a community like no other he has ever encountered. 

Sarah Finn is an independent theatre maker, performer, and writer. Her work has been seen internationally, most recently at the 2019 Prague Fringe Festival, with her play, In the woods where the men work; as well as Ponderosa Tanzland Festival in Stolzenhagen, Germany and various venues in New York including The Tank, The Hudson Guild Theater, Cloud City and Dixon Place.  In 2019, she was a resident artist at the Barn Arts Collective as well as The Cannery, both in Southeastern Maine. She has worked and interned at a variety of community art spaces and non-profits both abroad and in the states, including ZOO Venues at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Ponderosa Art Centre and Movement Research. She graduated with her BA in Theatre and Literature from Sarah Lawrence College and completed the two-year conservatory training at Ecole Internationale de Jacques Lecoq. Her created work investigates routine, denial, and hierarchy amidst environmental catastrophe and she is passionate about both making and facilitating artistic work that stems from and breeds community. Sarah is absolutely stoked to join the team at ArtYard and contribute to its mission.

Steven Maiorano grew up on Long Island New York.  He graduated with a B.F.A. from New York Institute of Technology. While a student, he worked in the professional screenprint workshop, meeting and working with established artists to produce limited edition prints. Steven started his own fine art print studio in 1978 called Screened Images, Inc. where he handled every phase of production from original concept to finished product. During his thirty-two years in business he collaborated and worked with many well-known artists including Shatzia Sikander, Romare Bearden, Jim Dine, Keith Haring, and Andy Warhol.  He produced the majority of Tom Wesselmann’s limited edition prints.  Screened Images also collaborated with many organizations including MOMA, Lincoln Center, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Paris Review, and the Fabric Workshop of Philadelphia. Steven was chosen by MOMA to be the printer of their first limited edition book by artist Beatriz Milhazes.

Barbara Rossi’s bio coming soon!

Founder and former CEO of Applegate Farms Organic and Natural Meats. Stephen’s experience as a leader as well as his wisdom and consistent support, have been crucial for ArtYard. He is the finest mentor that we could ask for. Learn more about Stephen here.