Staff

OSLP Arts & Culture Program Staff

Arts & Culture Program Director: Mija Andrade

Mija grew up in California but has lived and worked in Eugene since 1995. Mija worked for many years in graphic arts and attended the UC Santa Cruz graphic design and production program. She became involved with the Lane County non-profit organization MECCA in 2006 and worked as their executive director from 2008 to 2013. She has worked and partnered with many Lane County organizations, planning community events and serving on Boards. She is an artist and long-time member of the local philanthropic women's art group the ArtChics. Mija was the Resident Artist at the OSLP Arts & Culture Program before transitioning to the role of Development Director. She also loves being out and about in her community, dancing and playing with friends and family and singing with her daughter.

Arts & Culture Program Coordinator: Sterling Israel

Sterling is a mixed media artist originally from San Francisco. Since childhood she remains deeply influenced by her creative family of musicians and ceramists. Sterling is academically trained as a painter, and trained by community in many types of craft-making, with an emphasis on recycled and found objects. She currently has nine years of experience teaching art for K-12, as well as adult students. In addition to crafts, painting and ceramics, she does illustrations, and is very engaged with her creative writing. She believes in the value of practice, family craft traditions, and the artistic spirit within all of us. Sterling holds a BA in studio art from Humboldt State University, and an MS in community arts management from the University of Oregon.

Arts & Culture Program Resident Artist: Joseph Peila

Joseph Peila has been an artist and creative professional for over 25 years. Mentoring and teaching about art are his passion. He has been called a renaissance man by too many of his friends. Joseph has gotten his hands dirty in many areas. From being a produce clerk for many years during his youth to working for top-notch design firms as a graphic designer and photographer to being an alfalfa farmer and recently a dedicated volunteer for OSLP Arts & Culture. Not to mention being an exhibiting artist, mentor, and teacher to many. He is a master at creating ideas and empowering individuals.

Development & Communications Coordinator: Emily J. Payne

Emily is a graduate of the University of Oregon’s Arts Administration Master in Science Program (2016), specializing in Performing Arts Management. Along with her MS, she received a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the UO’s Planning, Public Policy and Management Program. Emily’s involvement with OSLP started in November of 2015 by way of her Master’s research, as she and three other women developed a three-year strategic plan for the OSLP Arts & Culture Program, and she officially started in her position as Development Assistant in July 2016. Additionally, Emily comes with over 10 years of experience in stage management for local community theater groups and loves a good trip to the coast when she has the time.