Sandy Elias
Bookkeeper | Office Manager
Sandy graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and is part of the accounting team at Art + Artisans. As the Bookkeeper, Sandy leverages her extensive experience in accounting processes gained from her previous role at a computer software company. Transitioning into the art industry has been a thrilling journey for her, providing a newfound appreciation for the creativity and meticulous planning involved in art consulting. Witnessing the innovative solutions art consultants bring to clients has heightened Sandy’s awareness and enjoyment of art in everyday life. Outside of work, Sandy loves exploring the city with her dogs, discovering new dog parks and trails, and catching the latest movies.
Art That Connects +
Adriana Arriaga is my favorite artist because she masterfully combines art with activism. Her work powerfully spreads Chicano pride and culture. She inspires me with her dedication to social justice through creative expression.
Lauren Smith
Marketing Associate
Lauren is a member of the A+A business development team. A graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Public Relations, Lauren is passionate about helping tell stories that connect people together. As the team’s Sales and Marketing Associate, Lauren performs design and marketing heroics that share the power of art to all who interact with Art + Artisans. She loves getting to explore and display the many delights A+A projects bring to clients. When not in the office, you can find her on long hikes in the hill country, or dancing at her beloved South Austin aerial studio.
Art That Connects +
I love surrealist work, my favorites are from the Czech artist TOYEN and of course, Rene Magritte! I love the exploration of that special space between dreams and reality.
Taylor Alvis
Project Manager | Art Consultant
Taylor is a member of the A+A Project Manager|Art Consultant team. After graduating with a degree in Art History from the University of Houston, she continued her education at Parsons, The New School for Design in New York, completing a Master’s in Design History and Curatorial Studies. Taylor has had a varied career path, working in fine art logistics, art consulting, and interior design, demonstrating her passion for art, creative vision, and project management. At Art + Artisans, Taylor’s love of problem-solving and sharing her knowledge of art and artists dovetail perfectly. She is thrilled to work with artists and clients to create unique, individualized spaces
Art That Connects +
As an Art Consultant, I am constantly discovering new artists and artworks, so my favorite artist tends to change daily. From a historical perspective, I love learning about underrepresented female artists of the past, such as the Swedish painter Hilma af Klint and American photographer Vivian Maier.
Joyce Rosa, ISA-AM, USPAP-Compliant Appraiser
Project Manager | Art Consultant
Joyce graduated with a degree in Art History, concentrating on post-war contemporary art. Her art career began at a modern contemporary art gallery in Washington, DC, where she specialized in art brokerage and consulting services. Throughout her tenure, she became the lead curator for gallery exhibitions and honed her experience with installations. As an art consultant, Joyce relies on her decade-long career in the art field to find creative solutions for client’s needs while maintaining and cultivating lasting relations with various artists. She immerses herself in the artist community as a collector and admirer. With this appreciation, Joyce takes each project as a personal investment, guiding the client at every step to add something impactful that will elevate their environment. During her spare time Joyce enjoys spending time with her two children and their three dogs.
Art That Connects +
Mark Rothko is one of my favorite artists because of his profound emotional depth and spiritual resonance conveyed through his use of color and form. I was initially impressed with his strict work ethic and routine, often spending a traditional 9-5 day focusing on his skill and aesthetic. Rothko’s work transcends mere visual representation, offering a unique experience that connects deeply with anyone’s aesthetic and has a strong ability to create meaningful conversations through his large-scale works.
Andy Berkebile
Business Development
Andy is a long-time Austin resident and has witnessed its growth over the years from a sleepy college and government town with just a handful of buildings flanking the downtown skyline into a big city with new towers and cranes transforming it into an architecturally vibrant city. Andy feels Austin’s small-town “cool” vibe is still ever-present, with many developments incorporating beloved structures and nature into their designs.
Andy graduated with a Broadcast Journalism Degree and gravitated toward a career in sales. She relies heavily on her communication skills to create lasting relationships with clients who trust that she understands and cares about their business goals. Her love for design led her to become a top-producing Sales Director for a nationally renowned Architecture & Design publication. Andy took her career to the next level when she joined a records management company where she designed storage solutions via space management, inspiring her to launch her own organizational and design business in 2016.
Longing to be a part of Austin’s cityscape transformation in a creative capacity, I joined Art + Artisans in April 2023 in a Business Development role. I am thrilled to be a part of a team responsible for curating unique art pieces to help my client’s projects stand out and make connections.
Art That Connects +
A city’s architectural skyline forms an intrinsic part of its identity and the identity of everyone living within that place. Like architecture, art, in all its mediums, tells a story. My passion is to communicate the client’s vision through customized art selections, which in turn attracts individuals to a building or space. Whether it’s a sculptural piece, an abstract painting, mural or framed photography, I love it all, especially how art engages and inspires the senses.
Zarina Adams
Project Manager | Art Consultant
Zarina has been working at Art + Artisans since 2016. She studied Art History and Urban Planning at the University of Texas at Austin and loves working in client service and with the arts community. She focuses her efforts as a project manager on delivering well-researched projects with high attention to details and the ultimate goals of each space.
Growing up, I went to a lot of art museums; it was the first stop in every new city my family visited. But it wasn’t until I was studying urban planning and art history in college that I understood the impact and importance of art outside the museum. Finding a way to bring a space to life, and making it a positive, enriching environment through a well-curated art collection is such a rewarding experience for me. I love art that’s playful and colorful, but is still sleek and sophisticated. I love getting to work with artists, and helping them bring their ideas to life.
In my free time, when I’m not chasing after my rambunctious toddler, I love going on long drives with a good audiobook, exploring small town antique shops, and being in nature, especially near water.
Art That Connects +
I connect most with art that is colorful, and is a little bit of fun, but still looks kinda sleek and sophisticated.
Emily Palmer
Project Manager | Art Consultant
Emily graduated from Savannah College Art & Design with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Painting and a minor in Art History. Emily began as an artist herself and now cherishes the opportunity to meet and work with artists worldwide to create beautiful, impactful spaces. Her career in the art industry began at Christie’s Global Auctions in London, England. She was a senior client services representative and the associate valuer for the Classical Departments, which included Old Masters Painting, Drawings and Antiquities, books and manuscripts, and science and natural history.
Art holds a significant place in culture and society, and Emily is passionate about the subject. She always knew she wanted to grow a career in the art world as she enjoys helping others appreciate artwork. Emily combines creativity with business skills to guide clients in selecting artworks that resonate with them and enhance their environment. Additionally, Emily believes supporting artists through collecting and appreciating their work contributes to the art community’s culture and growth.
Art That Connect +
I have always connected with the impressionist painting style because of it its ability to capture the essence of a moment in the changing world. The organic brush strokes, colors, connection to nature, and shift of perspective have always captivated me.
Sarah Young, PMP, OSHA
Project Manager | Art Consultant
Sarah is an art consultant and project manager at Art Plus Artisans. A graduate of the Luddy School at Indiana University with a degree in New Media Arts, Sarah is passionate about seeing how the arts affect the community around her. As a part of the project management team, Sarah connects with clients, artists, and vendors on a daily basis. She loves interacting with each of them closely in order to gain project success. She takes pride in the beautiful results of a finished project. When not in the office, you can find her chilling by the pool with her family on a hot summer day or jamming out to live music around town.
Art That Connects +
Dimensional and interactive art is my favorite. Anything that draws the viewer in closer is a win!
Melissa Spence, WELL AP
Project Manager | Art Consultant
Melissa has a diverse background in art, design, and architecture. Her role as an Art + Artisans WELL AP Project Manager and Art Consultant has her involved in creating meaningful art installations that consider wellness principles. Her educational background in Architectural Technology from Orange Coast College and Graphic Design from California State Polytechnic University Pomona provides her with a solid foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of design. Melissa has a passion for connecting with clients and building trust, she values relationships and strives to understand the unique narratives and preferences of each client. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring through travel, appreciating historic art and architecture, and attending concerts and sports events.
Art That Connects +
Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin are known for their unique styles and significant contributions to the art world. Dutch heritage connects me to Van Gogh’s work, which has an unforgettable style. Paul Gauguin’s paintings from Tahiti often depict vibrant tropical scenes, which resonate with my natural affinity for the tropics. My father’s cousin, Frank Nix, a Dutch painter and sculptor sent me his relief drawing as a wedding gift which holds a lot of sentimental value that I will always cherish. Having prints and original artworks from these artists create a meaningful atmosphere in my home.
Inda Hahn, PMP, IIDA, LEED AP
Creative Director
Inda Hahn is a Registered Interior Designer who has practiced with large commercial interior firms and managed a family-owned art gallery. With experience in both Commercial Design and Fine Arts, she has overseen some of Art + Artisans’ largest projects. She is a certified PMP and LEED Accredited Professional with over 15+ years of project management experience.
As the Creative Director, she oversees the art curation of projects and oversees the PM team. When not putting out art emergencies, she navigates the delightful chaos orchestrated by a pint-sized carbon copy.
Art That Connects +
My art appreciation is ever-evolving, with no single style capturing my heart for too long.
Jennifer Brener Seay
Founder & CEO
Jennifer is the Founder and CEO of Art + Artisans. She has helped clients create meaningful, impactful spaces for over two decades. Jennifer is passionate about helping her clients succeed and showing them how art can be part of the strategy to achieve their vision and attract their ideal market. She believes that art creates spaces with unique identities that people love and want to visit repeatedly, bringing countless positive experiences that inspire and build community. Her favorite thing about art consulting is seeing the joy that art brings to clients, artists, and the people who get to experience it every day. ‘I think the work we do lifts humanity and helps people feel more connected to the places they live and visit and to one another. I love that we bring positivity into people’s daily lives.’
Jennifer views her primary role today as Chief Relationship Builder with clients and within her team. Jennifer has built a culture at A+A deeply rooted in delivering excellence in both client service and quality of work delivered. Developing and nurturing trust with clients, team members, artists, and vendors has enabled Art + Artisans to successfully grow for 22 years. Jennifer has led many large commercial projects nationwide with clients who understand the importance of integrating art to tell a story, convey their brand, build community, and engage people. She has helped hundreds of companies, real estate developers, universities, and healthcare facilities use art to differentiate their space, stand out from their competitors, and create destination-worthy properties.
Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has lived in Austin for over 30 years. When she is not working she loves traveling with her family and will do almost anything to get her teenage kids to laugh, including riding every roller coaster in Florida and scream-singing Taylor Swift for hours! Jennifer has served on the Executive Board of CREW Austin and as a Guardian Angel for the Center for Child Protection. In 2018, she was a nominee for the Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power, a finalist for the Austin Business Journal’s CEO of the Year in 2019, and a Bisnow honoree for Women Leading Austin Real Estate in 2024.
Art That Connects +
I love Mark Rothko. I love color and form and his paintings draw me in and make me feel peaceful.
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