Andrés San Millán | President

Andrés San Millán is an artist and activist born in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. He is the founder (with his wife, Marguerite) and Artistic Director of Cocoon Theatre at the Cunneen Hackett Arts Center. Since moving to Poughkeepsie, Andrés has devoted himself to working with local organizations and community members including Arc of Dutchess, Poughkeepsie City School District, Dutchess County BOCES, Nubian Directions, Hudson River Housing, Fall Kill Creative Works, fellow artists, and the City of Poughkeepsie. From 2017 to 2020, Andrés' spectacular floats have transformed the Celebration of Lights parade. Cocoon is supported in part by the Samuel H. Scripps Foundation.

Peter Van Aken | Secretary

Peter is a life-long resident of Dutchess County, graduated from Marist College in 1977, worked at the Gannett-owned Poughkeepsie Journal daily newspaper, and has lived in the City of Poughkeepsie since 1998.

His interest and appreciation for the local area comes from the many arts opportunities, cultural offerings, and recreational facilities that are available on a regular basis within a 5 mile radius of his home.

Playing a small part in contributing to the availability of these benefits in the past, was his inaugural efforts in 2017- when he partnered with Poughkeepsie Farm Project to sponsor the first ever outdoor sculpture exhibit at Vassar Farm in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Another local contribution was in 2013, when he brought the initial idea for a Dutchess Dragon Boat Race and Cultural Festival- a beginner-friendly, aquatic recreational team event- to a group of community leaders, who proceeded to make it happen on the Hudson River in the inaugural year 2014, and continue each year, going forward.

Carrie Decker | Treasurer

Carrie is a native of Poughkeepsie and recently moved back to the Hudson Valley from the New England area.

In 2020 she started a nonprofit Mobile Art Van, Crazy Over ART on tour.  Her mission is to bring art to adults and children with limited access to hands-on art projects.

She has been surrounded by art her whole life, and is well versed in Art History and Museum Studies. She brings a fresh creative perspective to Poughkeepsie as she has emerged herself in the artistic community. Wheaton Park Bridge was the perfect opportunity for her to expand artistic networking.

Her passions are art, travel and making jewelry, (Colin Michael Studio), which she sells in her art van.