Anita Durst has been a star, a muse, and a patron of the avant-garde performing arts and emerging arts scene in New York City, since she was 18. She founded chashama in 1995 following the death of her mentor and artistic professor Reza Abdoh. While performing and working in his company, Dar A Luz, she learned the value of unbridled expression and how to value art objectively. In the wake of Reza’s absence she was driven to create a place for artists free of financial and subjective constraints. Anita has worked tirelessly for over 20 years to secure over one million square feet of space in New York City for artists.

She believes programs like Chashama are the vital building blocks to ensuring cultural capital in New York City. Anita was born in New York City and was the flower child to hippy parents living in New Foundland Canada, Ibiza Spain, and the suburbs of New York City. As a precocious teenager she resisted conventional schooling. Shortly after graduating high school she moved back to New York City to help care for her grandfather.

She is a proud mother who ensures her entire family eats healthy, practices mindful movement, and lives in the moment. True to her ability to be in the moment and greatest strength of objective thinking, she believes all art to be valuable.

Marc has worked with and for Chashama since its inception in 1995 as a performance art company, segueing from performance to field assistant, manager and administrator. He took a sabbatical in 2010, returning in 2014, and most recently assists Chashama on a volunteer basis while the Covid-19 protocols are in effect.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., he is a graduate of Bard College with a degree in music.

Liza joined Chashama in the Fall of 2020 as a recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Fashion Marketing and Management. As Chashama’s Programs Coordinator, Liza programs both exhibitions and small businesses. Outside of work she enjoys reading in her backyard.

Jiwoo joined Chashama in the Summer of 2021. She currently curates and coordinates lobby exhibitions and performances for Anita’s Way. Before joining Chashama, Jiwoo worked on commercial and non-profit public arts projects at art consulting companies based in both Seoul and New York. Her passion is supporting emerging artists, and connecting art and people. She received B.A. and M.A. in Art History. In her free time, Jiwoo enjoys long runs in Central Park.

Rob has ten plus years of property and facility management experience, as well as carpentry and handyman skills. He’s not afraid, and in fact enjoys rolling up his sleeves to get things done.

Marie joined Chashama in the Fall of 2021. When she isn’t assisting the grants team, Marie is a singer, actress, writer, and editor.

Examples of her work can be found at:

http://marieanello.com/

Debbie joined Chashama’s Finance & Accounting department as Bookkeeper back in 2014.  She has a BS in Accounting from NYU and also an Associate’s degree in Photography from Parsons.  She has accumulated a wide range of work experience in audit, accounting and photography over the years.  Additionally, Debbie has always had a strong passion for dance, initially having dedicated many years to Lindy Hop, but now is primarily focused on various styles of Street Dance.

Alison has worked in the field of accounting for over 20 years, including retail apparel and nonprofit accounting. As Chashama’s Accountant, Alison is responsible for providing accurate analysis and results presented through clear means and in concise language.

Donna Rae Kessinger is currently Gallery Director and Curator at ChaShaMa’s  Space to Create and Present programs in Matawan, New Jersey.

While she was Executive Director of the Monmouth Museum her Contemporary Arts-based Autism-focused programming won the 2021 Jersey Shore IMPACT 100 Grant.  The museum was also awarded grants from New Jersey State Council on the Arts, NJSCA Emerging Artist Fellowship, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, plus a PPP loan during the COVID 19 pandemic.

As an Independent Curator and Artist, she has a passion for creating programs that embrace inclusion, social justice and diversity including working with kids born into gangs in the Young Curators Unplugged project in Newark, New Jersey, and creating art exhibitions programs with adults who are on the autism spectrum, in multiple venues. Kessinger is an advocate for the concept of the Museum as a healing space that works to bring the community together.

Donna Rae was mentored by female directors of Museums, Womyn’s Artist Colonies  and Art Spaces early on in her career including Marsha Tucker, Alanna Heiss, Jenny Dixon, and Kate Millett. This experience helped shape her vision and ways of interacting with shareholders, community members, artists, and board members.

As an Adjunct Professor of Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky, she has provided emerging artists and arts administrators guidance and mentorship from 2017-2020 on both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Donna also worked as the Installations Coordinator and Chief Preparator during the first Greater New York Exhibition and Summer Warm Up Party at MoMA PS1 Contemporary Art Center from 1999-to 2000.  She produced the Collaborative Arts Projects (CAP), Emerging Artist Residency Program at the Bronx Museum of the Arts from 2000-2006, managed Curatorial, Education, and Public Programs for Aljira, a Space for Contemporary Art from 2007-2008, and was the Production Manager at the ICP from 2008-2009.

Mariana joined Chashama in the fall of 2023 and currently works in the development team as the art event and cultivation producer. Before joining Chashama, she worked as an Associate Festival Coordinator for New York City’s Celebrate Mexico Now Festival and in Bogota’s LGBTQ Community Centers. Mariana holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Arts Management from The New School. During her master’s program, she worked as a Graduate Student Assistant and produced an artistic workshop for immigrant students.