Board Members
Rhonda Dallas, Chair, is founding President of ArtsFusion Inc., a non-profit arts development and international arts presenting organization. A career public relations, marketing and public affairs professional, Dallas worked for seven years with the National Black Arts Festival creating the signature Doll Art Exhibition. She has traveled the country, Europe and South Africa working with emerging artists. A graduate of Howard University, Ms. Dallas was recipient of an American Association of University Woman (AAUW) Achievement Grant while completing fellowships in faith based community development at Candler School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School. She currently serves on the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center’s Arts of Praise Advisory Committee, Youth Council for Prince George’s EDC Workforce Investment Board, and several other community outreach initiatives with the Office of the State’s Attorney. Ms. Dallas’s artistic mission is to strengthen communities through creative venues, affective arts programming and global cultural exchange.
Carolyn Adams is chief executive officer of Carolyn Adams & Associates, a consultancy specializing in museum audience development. An enthusiastic advocate for the arts, Adams founded the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Friends of African & African-American Art. She serves on the executive committee of the James A. Porter Colloquium on African American and is executive director of the National Alliance of African & African American Art Support Groups.
Jason Cook is a veteran of the Prince George’s County Public Schools and is lead educator for the Colours Arts in Education Program. Currently, he works with students to develop performing arts events to raise awareness and funds relating to domestic violence and breast cancer, various scholarship programs and for students in New Orleans and Mississippi.
Barbara Funk, Ex-Officio Member, is Chief of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. She oversee three arts centers, community arts services and programs and numerous partnerships, including the Bowie Center for the Arts, Gateway Arts District and the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland.
Steven Newsome is the Founding Director of the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center at North Brentwood. The recipient of the Association of African American Museum’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Newsome served as the Director of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum and Center for African History and Culture from 1991 until 2004. Prior to his work at the Smithsonian Mr. Newsome was the Director of the Maryland Commission on African History and Culture. Mr. Newsome was the President of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums and served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Museums. Mr. Newsome’s interest and commitment to arts and culture reached beyond museums. He was a member of the PGAC Transition Board in 2004 and 2005. He was PGAC’s Executive Director from 2006-2008.
Garth Rockcastle is Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at the University of Maryland, College Park Maryland. In 1981, he co-founded the architectural firm of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle, Ltd. Garth is known for his architectural creativity and expertise, especially his unique approach to the adaptive re-use of existing and historic structures.
Bridget Warren is an experienced arts programmer and marketer. She was also co-owner of Vertigo Books, an independent bookstore.
Jacquie Gales Webb is Radio Project Manager for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. She is a producer and performer who has received the Peabody and DuPont awards for her public radio productions, plus six local EMMYs for her television work. She also hosts WHUR’s top-ranked Sunday Afternoon Gospel program. She currently serves as Vice President of the National Capitol Area Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television and on the Alumni Board of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Staff
Lionell Thomas is the Executive Director of the Prince George’s Arts Council (since March 2009). Mr. Thomas was previously with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, where during his twenty-two year tenure, he held numerous roles throughout the agency; eventually serving as the Deputy Director and Interim Executive Director. Mr. Thomas is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with B.A. in Communications. A native Washingtonian, Mr. Thomas has developed a local and national reputation for his creative approaches to grants management and programming. He has served on state grants review panels and was co-chair of both the Assistant Directors/Deputy Directors and Grants Managers peer groups through the National Assembly of State Arts Agencieis. Of all his accomplishments to date, Mr. Thomas is most proud of the initiatives he developed to bring arts programs to underserved communities; many remain staples of the arts community today.
Ethel Lewis is an experienced arts professional, who has been with the Prince George’s Arts Council for over 12 years. She currently serves as the Administrative Assistant for PGAC and is noted for her hands-on approach to serving the public. Much to Ms. Lewis’ credit, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her job and has received numerous accolades over the years for her dedicated service to the arts in Prince George’s County.
