Our Collective Members
Our Core Collective is a group of dedicated volunteers who take responsibility for particular areas of Communication’s overall programming model.
Communication is a nonprofit with a board of directors that help guide the long term path of the organization, while the Core Collective manages the day to day workings of the space. We believe in compensating artists and performers, and we aim to do that transparently. We also believe in the value that volunteer labor can bring to a community. These two ideas coexist in a space that we navigate with great care.
-
Sara Meredith is part of our Operations Team and our Shop Team. In the past she has handled all parts of running both our physical and online shop. She has been a passionate volunteer at Communication since very early on. She has handled artist and shop volunteer communication and coordination, writing the artist’s checks, creating and maintaining inventory systems, and shop displays. Her goal in both physical and online store to make sure that the shop is inclusive. Every artist that has work at Communication has a at least 1-2 items visibly featured in an area of the shop.
Outside of Communication, Sara is an interdisciplinary artist going by Smere Tactics. She creates a range of work from painted original woodcuts and prints to sculptural social practice work. Her artwork explores human nature and natural communities, drawing parallels between culture, ecology, psychology, community and science. She has exhibited in several galleries, markets and small businesses in the Midwest. She brings her artistic experience, passion and care for intersectional communities into her work with Communication. For more information about Sara visit her website.
-
Michael Wojtasiak is part of our Operations Team and our Events Team! He handles the booking for bands who perform at Communication, manages equipment set-up and sound tech for shows at the space, and trains all events volunteers. Michael has been performing and booking in DIY spaces since the 1990s.
Outside of Communication, Michael works in IT System Administration for an energy non-profit. He writes and records music at home, and formerly ran a boutique record label & online record shop.
-
Lauren Stephenson is on our Operations Team, and handles everything volunteer-related as our Volunteer Coordinator! She responds to all inquiries from prospective volunteers, orients new volunteers to our space and programming processes, liaises between our core collective and volunteer community, and generally acts as first point of contact for all volunteers who are not sure where else to turn.
Lauren loves to pick up volunteer shifts at the shop, help at shows, and table at off-site markets, so say “hi” when you see her at our events! Outside of Communication you can find her reading under a tree or napping with her cats.
-
Madeline Umscheid wears many hats as core support member on the Operations Team — including shop and events support, market lead, and organizational process wizard. She joined the team in 2022 and can often be found knitting while tabling for Communication off-site, or behind the shop counter.
-
Kate Mead is a member of our Print Collective Team! Kate has been on the team since July of 2022 and handles onboarding and support for members of the Communication print collective.
Kate is a graphic designer by trade, and is energized by projects that involve a combination of making art and problem-solving — which is why she’s such a great leader for the print collective! Kate loves to split her time between the city and her family’s space in the country, hanging out with her dog Mr. Man and jamming out to dad rock and indie pop.
-
Vincent supports events and exhibitions operations at Communication, with a special interest in zines. He has been a core collective member since February 2024.
You can sometimes see Vincent in the shop on Saturdays or working the door for concerts. He has volunteered or worked in events spaces continuously since high school both in Madison and Chicago. He loves drawing and watching film and is always eager to find ways to bring those in to Communication!
-
Jayce Thoyre is part of our Arts Programming and Operations Teams! An artist by trade, Jayce specializes in illustration, traditional painting, figurative sculpture, prototyping, and jewelry. They’re often found hosting Communication’s weekly community paint nights every Thursday.
Jayce strongly believes in reconnecting everyday people with their creative sides, seeking to dissolve the barrier between amateur and fine artist. They work to cultivate third spaces where people can connect with others outside of the home their careers, believing that third spaces are vital to maintaining physical and emotional health. When not engaged in the arts and community development, Jayce enjoys analyzing TV and film, reading trashy romance novels, and roller skating. Their work can be found under the banner of Table Tray Studios.
-
Abby joined the Operations Team in the summer of 2024 and supports fundraising efforts and other operational needs that may pop up! She’s a strong believer that artful and intentional organizations deserve artful and intentional systems to keep them thriving. What better place to live that out than Communication!
Abby is an artist, primarily creating dance and pottery. During the day she works at Fractured Atlas, a fiscal sponsor for artists. When not doing those things, you can likely find her puttering in her patio garden, sitting by Yahara River, or hanging out and reading with her cat, June.
-
Agnès joined Communication in summer 2024. She supports volunteer coordination and website operations. Born in the UK and raised in Colorado by a community of artists, Agnès believes that art is for everyone, rejecting the pretensions of high-art. When not working as a graphic designer, she can be found reading by the lake, hanging with her cat, Owain, and giving unsolicited lectures on hamster care.