Our Team
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Jess Powers
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.
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LuLu Grejdus
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.
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Kathryn Gearon
Artist 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.
Our Educators
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Kelly Robertson
Artist
Kelly Robertson (she/her) is an actress, educator, and producer who’s been teaching and performing around New England for over a decade. She’s got a BA in Acting, studied at NYC’s Atlantic Acting School and under clown teachers including Virginia Scott, Gemma Soldati, and Dr. Budi Miller. Kelly has a certificate in teaching applied theater to neurodivergent folks. Most recently Kelly founded and directed the theater Program at the K-7 Croft School. Kelly believes in the inherent therapeutic value of community, movement, and imaginative play. She’s passionate about creating spaces for folks of all ages, abilities, and genders to connect to their own creative bodies and to each other! @kellysrobertson https://kellyrobertsonprof.wixsite.com/kellyrobertson
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Dawn Temple
Artist
Dawn Temple is a Rhode Island-based Artist and Educator, graduating with a B.A. in Painting from Rhode Island College. Dawn has spent years teaching visual art and photography courses to youth and adults for various RI organizations. These include: South County Art Association, Portsmouth Art Guild, Rhode Island School of Design’s Continuing Education Programming, and has been an Upper School Visual Arts, Photography, and Filmmaking Educator at Rocky Hill Country Day School since 2018. When not teaching, you will likely find her hanging out with her husband and 2 ginger cats, gardening, or riding around on her Vespa with her club, the Vespa Club of Rhode Island.
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Heather Caunt-Nulton
Artist
Heather Caunt-Nulton has been an active member of the Rhode Island arts community for over two decades. The connections she has built with the other creators at The Hope Collective are one of her favorite parts of being a part of this active and vibrant arts scene. She is best known for her mehndi art, as Henna by Heather. In addition to still doing plenty of henna, she is currently pursuing interests in permanent tattooing, pyrography (guitarpyrography.com), and music (The Dirge Carolers, The Dandy Highwaymen, Call of Kazulhu, and FUN>FUN).
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Melanie Ducharme
Artist
Melanie Ducharme (she/her) is a Rhode Island mixed media artist and educator. Her artwork is a response to the world around her. Her current work focuses on nature, joy, play, and gender. She is a former member of Gallery X, a cooperative art gallery in New Bedford, MA. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and her Masters in Art Education from Rhode Island College.
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Regina Foster Bartlett
Artist
Regina Bartlett is a multi-media artist, author, and TEDx speaker. She has been creating custom designs since 2009, opened her storefront in 2014, and has had a mug featured on Buzzfeed!
Regina specializes in one of a kind pieces using assorted mediums including wood, polymer clay, fiver, macrame and more. She offers personalized gifts for your organization or event
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Nikki Has
Artist
Nicole Haslam is the co-founder of Yoonie Co, a creativity-focused brand centered around art, play, and meaningful connection. With a background in leadership and program development, she is passionate about helping adults reconnect with creativity through hands-on workshops, art kits, and immersive experiences designed to inspire joy and self-expression.
Nicole’s work blends whimsy, storytelling, and accessible creativity, creating welcoming spaces where people can slow down, make something meaningful, and rediscover the importance of play in everyday life. In her free time, Nicole enjoys needlecrazy felting, writing, and spending time with her husband Kevin, and her two sons.
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Brianna Luderer
Artist