Pigeon Arts

Jesse White, Director/Arts Educator

Jesse has been teaching creative and expressive arts to children, teens, adults and seniors since 1997.  She earned her joint BA in Psychology and Integrative Studies (theme: Creative and Spiritual Process) from Guilford College in 1999 and her MBA in Health Care Administration from American Intercontinental University Online in 2005.

After acquiring her BA, Jesse worked in a variety of settings as an expressive arts therapist including: art centers, community centers, homeless shelters, camps and churches as well as in partial hospital day programs, in domestic violence survivor centers and in a Special Education school.  Jesse is culturally competent with a clear understanding of how to engage a wide variety of audiences.  She has especially enjoyed working with disenfranchised/marginalized communities including: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People; Mental Health Diagnosed, Developmentally Disabled, Drug & Alcohol Dependent and Chronically Homeless Consumers; Victims of Hate Violence and/or Domestic Violence.

Jesse’s art has been exhibited in the Greater Philadelphia area, Allentown, PA, Greensboro, NC, Penland, NC, and London, England. Her poetry has been published in several literary magazines, both locally and nationally. For information on purchasing or commissioning a painting by Jesse, please contact her at Jesse@pigeon-arts.com.

Phoebe Murer, Therapeutic Arts Apprentice

Phoebe assists in the facilitation of Pigeon Arts’ workshops for special communities. She has a BA in Psychology from Arcadia University (2006) and a Certificate in Fine Arts/Painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (2002). An accomplished artist and playwright, Phoebe has exhibited her works in the Greater Philadelphia area and New York City. Her solo shows in the Philadelphia area include exhibitions at Holy Family University, the Metropolitan Bakery and the A-Space. You can learn more about Phoebe by visiting her website at http://www.phoebemurer.com.

Angel Hogan, Literary Arts Assistant

(Photo by Michael Hogan, Progresso Beach, Mx)

Transplanted from a rural horse farm to downtown Philadelphia in her teens, Angel Hogan learned early that there is great adventure, beauty and often dark comedy in “diverse” experiences.  After studying Literary Theory at Bucknell University, Angel traveled cross country and spent time in the Yucatan, where her mother currently lives.  Much of her writing is fueled by her non-traditional upbringing and a passion for seeking out the unusual.  Angel currently works at University of Pennsylvania and is a member of The New Philadelphia Poets.  She lives with her cat, Mamacita and is completing her first book.  See more of Angel’s work at: www.angelhogan.com

Barbara Zanelli, Therapeutic Arts Apprentice

Barbara graduated with a B.F.A. from Syracuse University in 1999 and then moved to NYC.  She had her first solo show in Williamsburg at Figureworks Gallery in 2001.  Looking to study classical technique, she decided to move to Florence, Italy.  She lived there for one year, studying drawing under Mario Pachioli, a student of Pietro Annigoni.  In 2004, she moved to Philadelphia on a scholarship to study with Nelson Shanks at Studio Incamminati.  She has since left the atelier and continues to live and work in West Philadelphia.  You can learn more about Barbara at http://bzarte.com

Han Meadway, Assistant Educator

Originally from Philly, Han is currently in law school at Drexel University.  He graduated cum laude from Smith College as a double-major in American Studies and Afro-American Studies.  He has been an educator and workshop facilitator for over twelve years, working on issues of privilege, anti-racism, queer and trans identities, and youth empowerment and leadership.  He has been an organizer and presenter at numerous conferences including LEAD in Philadelphia, the Translating Identity Conference, and the EastEd Institute.  You can usually find Han walking around farmer’s markets downtown with his dog Morris.

Donna Fitzgerald Robb, Assistant Educator

After graduating from Moore College of Art with a BFA in Painting & Art Education, Donna worked for the Helen Drutt Gallery in Philadelphia and New York for six years gaining knowledge of all aspects of directing a gallery.  Always interested in cooking she took intense on-the-job training at a local gay favorite restaurant (Judy’s Cafe) and became an accomplished chef.  She has worked for the past 15 years at various Philly favorites before opening her own restaurant in Mt. Airy.  Donna is now working on a variety of mixed media works and is hoping to attend graduate school in the very near future. She shares her home with her daughter, Spencer, and their dog, Echo and cat, Mabel Stark.