Founder & Sponsor

Jess Powers is the driving force behind The Hope Collective, bringing her vision for a vibrant, multi-purpose community space to life. As a top-tier Rhode Island real estate agent, Jess has built her career on connection—helping people find not just houses, but true homes. A natural networker with a creative spirit, she saw an opportunity to blend work, art, and community in the heart of historic Hope. Through her sponsorship and ongoing support, The Hope Collective hosts monthly events that celebrate local talent, foster collaboration, and strengthen neighborhood ties.

Operations Manager

As Operations Manager of The Hope Collective, LuLu Locks is the behind-the-scenes orchestrator who keeps everything running smoothly. With a diverse background in business management, event coordination, and creative industries, LuLu thrives at the intersection of logistics and inspiration. She ensures members, creators, and guests feel welcome, supported, and empowered to bring their ideas to life. From managing day-to-day operations to curating events in our gardens, picnic area, and performance spaces, LuLu is dedicated to making The Hope Collective a true home for productivity, artistry, and community spirit.

Aritst in Residence

Kathryn Gearon is an accomplished Rhode Island–born artist whose work is rooted in the expressive power of abstraction. Working primarily in oil, her paintings are often likened to the dynamic energy of Nicolas de Staël, blending fields of color and layered texture to create spaces that invite quiet reflection. While oils remain her primary medium, Kathryn’s creative practice extends into other forms, reflecting her curiosity and versatility as an artist.

A graduate of the Museum School in Boston—earning her MFA in affiliation with the Museum of Fine Arts—Kathryn brings both technical mastery and a deeply personal approach to her work. She values the retreat-like nature of her studio at The Hope Collective, where natural light, gardens, and the building’s historic charm all feed her process.

As Artist in Residence, Kathryn will be offering classes and workshops, sharing her expertise and encouraging students to explore their own creative voices. Visitors are welcome to view her works in progress and purchase finished pieces, making art an accessible, living part of the community.

Kathryn’s presence at The Hope Collective is more than an artistic contribution—it’s an invitation to slow down, engage with color and form, and experience the transformative effect of art in a space where history, nature, and creativity converge.