Board of directors
executive director Nacho amor (he/him)
Nacho Amor is a Queer Mexican-American still life photographer based in Providence, Rhode Island. His work explores the complex relationships between race, sexuality, and culture. Amor has exhibited work in New York City, London, Paris, Milan, and Saint Petersburg, Russia.
After graduating with a degree in Photography from Parsons the New School for Design, Amor began a career as a set dresser for music videos and stage performances. Shortly afterward, Amor transitioned into the production side of fashion runway shows. Currently, Amor works as the collections photographer at Brown University, with previous experience digitizing the collections of the Smithsonian, MoMA, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
When not working behind the lens, Amor previously served as Vice President of Folsom Street East, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in New York City. Folsom Street East celebrates and supports the fetish, kink, and LGBTQIA+ communities by creating safe spaces and awarding grants to other nonprofits serving these communities.
Scribe (secretary) Phos Ivestei (They/them)
Phos Ivestei is a non-binary artist and activist from the Tidewater region of Virginia. Their work has focused on LGBTQIA+ health and law in the past.
In 2016, they co-founded a project with Trans Lifeline called Microgrants, which helps transgender, non-binary, and gender variant people afford and obtain legal name and gender marker amendments on a national scale.
In 2019, they joined Mazzoni Center's Legal Services in Philadelphia, PA, as a legal case manager, helping numerous residents in the state navigate name changes, family law, employment discrimination, and living wills.
During the pandemic, Phos returned to school to finish a bachelor's degree in Anthropology. They transferred to Rhode Island College in 2021. While finishing their degree, they have worked in public health for the state, training employees on health equity and LGBTQIA+ cultural competency.
Today, they are a full-time student and eco-photography artist working with plants and other biodiversity to create emulsions for printing.
treasurer M.B. Vargas (they,them)
M.B. Vargas, a Philippine-born American with 20 years of experience in the photography industry, previously worked in the photography and digitization departments for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts. Currently, M.B. is a photographer at Sotheby's auction house in New York City, photographing flat art such as Old Masters and Impressionists paintings, photographs, and other works on paper for web and publication. M.B. holds a BFA in Photography from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA.
at-large julio e. berroa (He/Xe, They)
Julio E. Berroa (BER ROH-uh) was born in Salcedo (s-aa-l-s-EH-d-oh), Dominican Republic, Providence resident since 2012. Berroa earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Digital Media Design and a minor in Photography. His passions include the Arts, Sex and HIV Education, and Youth Advocacy. All of this drives him to share his experiences through Art to help advocate for young aspiring artists of color. He hopes to inspire and influence his viewers.
Berroa has participated in multiple group exhibitions with his advanced photography class, was awarded a scholarship, and participated in a group exhibition at the Providence Art Club. Berroa participated in the Andrew Mellon Summer Internship as a Creative Production intern at the RISD Museum in the summer of 2020 and 2021 Rhode Island College Senior Art Award Recipient. In 2021 Berroa along with a group of friends opened Rhode Island’s first-ever youth shelter for Queer and BIPOC young adults ages 18 to 24 called Haus of Codec
at-large JONATHAN DORADO (they,them)
Jonathan Dorado, also known as JD, is a Philippine-American photographer based in NYC. JD has received degrees in Photography and Art History & Museum Studies from FIT. They are currently an Exhibition and Collections Photographer with the Imaging and Visual Resources team at The Museum of Modern Art as of early 2023. JD was previously the Collections Photographer at The Brooklyn Museum for 10+ years. Some of their varied interests lie in museology, community engagement, accessibility, and working with other artists.
at-large lisa rodrigues (she /her)
Lisa Rodrigues is a Cape Verdean-American educator and part-time photographer with over 15 years of experience in both fields. With a strong focus on youth advocacy, Lisa seeks to integrate art as a means of self-expression in her work. Originally from Dorchester, MA, and later Brockton, MA, she is deeply attuned to the intersections of culture and race, striving to reflect these themes in her roles as an educator and photographer.
In her current position as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Curry College, Lisa is dedicated to dismantling systemic oppression that impacts the success of historically marginalized students.
Outside of her professional commitments, Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends, raising her two daughters, Maya and Summer, and fostering community in her new home state of Rhode Island.
at-large Kyleen Nixon (they,them)
Kyleen is a Puerto Rican artist based in Providence, RI since 2022. Their personal work primarily focuses on the intersection between mental health and art, while exploring different mediums and concepts. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, but later living in northern Maine, they have dedicated time to creating meaningful spaces for BIPOC and Queer individuals in communities where they may be underrepresented, in the hopes of bridging the gap in those areas.
Kyleen has previously been presented with junior literary awards and publishing on abstract writing focused on abuse awareness and sexual trauma, and led public efforts to add more safe spaces for survivors to tell their stories. Between 2019 and 2021 they partnered with the brand Self-Care Is For Everyone to create apparel geared toward mental health awareness and advocacy.
Today, Kyleen is an Admissions Associate to Johnson & Wales University. Outside of their professional life, they enjoy exploring new artistic avenues and creating digital spaces online that are aligned with their advocacy goals.
Board Member Application Form
At-large
Job title: Board Member (At-Large)
Department: Board of Directors
Reports to: Board Chair
Summary: The At-Large Board Member is a member of the board of directors who is responsible for providing support and guidance to the organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Serve on at least one board committee. Committees include (Curatorial and Exhibition Design / Marketing and Communications / PR and Event Management / Community Engagement and Outreach)
• Attend all board meetings and actively participate in discussions
• Build and maintain relationships with other board members, and stakeholders
• Represent the organization to the public and media
• Support the organization's mission and vision
Qualifications:
• Strong interest in the arts
• Commitment to social justice
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to volunteer time and energy
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Info@GridGalleryRI.org
All applicants are welcome, regardless of current location. However, this is a UNPAID volunteer position