DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience.
They set the tone for everything we do.

HEAD CURATOR & EXHIBITIONS CURATOR

Elise Fippinger is a multidisciplinary artist working in clay, glass, and painting. After leaving her hometown in rural Illinois, Elise graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute with a BFA in Ceramics in 2024. She is currently completing her second year as an Artist in Residence at Englewood Arts in Independence, Missouri. 

Within the recent year, Elise took on the role of Head Curator & Exhibitions Coordinator at Studios Inc, This role expands her engagement with curatorial practices, understanding of exhibition design, artist support, and the collaborative processes behind presenting contemporary art. She aims to continue expanding her knowledge and practice by approaching both with a commitment to community, intentionality, and cross-disciplinary dialogue. 

GALLERY: COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
ADMINISTRATOR: ASSISTANT CURATOR

Jaede Bayala is a queer Puerto Rican artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. They earned a BFA in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2026 and have cultivated a practice rooted in both artistic production and community engagement.

Bayala has gained experience through internships with local arts organizations including Habitat Contemporary and Studios Inc. They currently serve as the Director of Communications & Marketing at Studios Inc., where they contribute regularly to the organization's blog through a dedicated written series.

Their exhibition history includes residencies, solo exhibitions, and group shows throughout Kansas City. Following a residency at The Waiting Room Gallery, Bayala presented a solo exhibition of work developed during the program. They have also held a solo exhibition at Holsum Gallery and participated in numerous group exhibitions across the city.

Committed to fostering a vibrant local arts community, Bayala remains actively involved in supporting fellow artists and creatives through advocacy, collaboration, and community-centered initiatives.

PREPARATOR & ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER

Terri received her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1996 and studied fresco painting at Veracruz University in 1997 under Maestro Melchor Peredo. She has done group and solo exhibitions in Kansas City, MO, and Kansas City, KS; Rochester, NY; Lawrence, KS; and Chicago, IL. She has a fresco in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Terri has participated in several projects with The Sketchbook Project in Brooklyn, including the traveling libraries that have shown in a variety of cities in the United States as well as Paris and London. Terri has been a member of the Kansas City Artists Coalition since 2007 and served on the board from 2016 to 2023. Terri had her first artist residency at Escape to Create in Seaside, Florida, in February 2025, her second residency will be in Venice, Italy in September 2026. She has studio space in the West Bottoms in Kansas City, MO.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Aurora Cottrell is an arts professional based in Kansas City, dedicated to providing a helping hand to artists in a multitude of ways with her “jack of all trades” skillset. After receiving a BFA in Illustration & Sculpture at the University of Central Missouri, she began as a gallery attendant at Studios Inc in 2023, eventually moving to the Marketing Manager role, and is now transitioning into Studios Inc’s Graphic Designer.

Currently, Aurora is pursuing her Master’s degree in Museum Studies at the University of Kansas while continuing her work at Studios Inc. At KU, she aims to develop a refined skillset and deeper understanding of museum management practices for future opportunities in the Fine Arts community. 

Aurora holds a strong passion for growth, guidance, and compassion; she is happy to share these passions whether it be assisting others with a project, or making them a batch of cookies.