Lois Brink
As Chief Strategist and co-founder of The Big SandBox, Lois Brink provides design and community engagement support for the organization’s projects in Philadelphia, Denver and Portland. Lois A. Brink (M.L.A., University of Pennsylvania) is a Philadelphia native, landscape architect, tenured professor at the University of Colorado, and principal leader of the Learning Landscapes project in Denver, a $50 million design and construction initiative that in 2012 completed 96 elementary schoolyards over a 12-year construction schedule.
A faculty member at the University of Colorado for 26 years, Prof. Brink’s knowledge and experience in playground development—coupled with her 30 years as a landscape architect—has kickstarted similar initiatives in other cities, most recently in Philadelphia. During her stewardship of Learning Landscapes in Denver, the organization made substantial progress across multiple school districts in Colorado.
A faculty member at the University of Colorado for 26 years, Prof. Brink’s knowledge and experience in playground development—coupled with her 30 years as a landscape architect—has kickstarted similar initiatives in other cities, most recently in Philadelphia. During her stewardship of Learning Landscapes in Denver, the organization made substantial progress across multiple school districts in Colorado.
Erike De Veyra
Erike is a designer, project manager, and founder of Design Gym, demystifying design to designers of all ages and experiences through activities, workshops, experiences, and providing expertise to increase access and representation in design. Erike uses training and experience in architecture and public programming to design and develop initiatives, public programs, and experiences for clients and the design curious.
Erike serves the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce - Greater Philadelphia as the events coordinator, and on the Jefferson’s College of Architecture & the Built Environment Advancement (CABE) Council and was honored in the inaugural cohort of Philly Girls Do Good—recognizing and celebrating women leaders in design and community development. In the fall of 2017, through the Public Interest Design Institute, became a Social Economic Environmental Design (SEED) Certified Professional, and previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Philadelphia Chapter and the Center of DesignPhiladelphia. Erike has a Bachelor of Architecture and MS in Design Thinking & Entrepreneurship, with over 20 years of experience managing projects and initiatives.
Marita Fitzpatrick
Marita Fitzpatrick has a BFA in Painting from Moore College of Art & Design and a Masters Degree from University of the Arts. She received the 2019 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. 2021 PAEA Outstanding Secondary Art Teacher. In 2022 Philadelphia School District named her Art Teacher of the Year. Since 2012, Marita has raised over $40,000 for her classes & Bodine HS. Teaching IB Art, Crafts, Ceramics, & Art at Bodine High School for International Affairs, a magnet public school in Philadelphia.
Full Resume: http://bit.ly/2NPkddTFitzCV
Darla Jackson
Darla Jackson is a sculptor living in Philadelphia. She received a BFA in Sculpture from Moore College of Art in 2003, and after receiving a John S. and James L. Knight Arts Challenge Grant in both 2011 and 2013, founded the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, a membership based community sculpture studio.
Her work has been shown in numerous exhibitions locally, including galleries and museums such as the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Seraphin Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Woodmere Art Museum, and a Wind Challenge exhibition at the Fleisher Art Memorial, and across the country at museums and galleries such as the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City, California, and the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts in Wilmington, Delaware. She has shown internationally in Belgium and Germany and has lectured about her work at venues including The Barnes Foundation. Jackson has taught sculpture at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Tyler School of Art, Fleisher Art Memorial and various workshops across the country.
Jackson is currently a Medallic Artist for the United States Mint in Philadelphia, PA.
Pat Jordan
PAT JORDAN is a professional actor, spokesperson, narrator, singer, writer and director whose credits include leading roles in musicals and dramas throughout the East Coast. As a historical presenter, she has portrayed Famous American Women nationally at the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, Truman Library, White House Visitors’ Center and Cooper Union, among many other sites.
In film, Pat can be seen in principal roles as Larry’s Mom in "Lucky Numbers", Molly in "Cash Crop", Sarah Gibbons in "Eyewitness to History", and Betsy Ross in the American Flag Association’s "History of the American Flag". She has credits as a narrator, spokesperson and host/co-host in numerous broadcast productions. Musically, Pat enjoys performing Broadway and popular classic genres.
Writing credits include "Classic Literature for Teens", "Mini-Myths", "Plays from Around the World", and "Nursery Rhyme Plays", four in a series of anthologies entitled "Every Teacher’s Friend Classroom Plays" (Players Press), and introductions to six college-level classic play releases (Drama D’Arts Publishers). In a commissioned documentary, Pat wrote and directed "If Walls Could Talk: the Story of Laurel Hill Mansion," which premiered in 2010 on Comcast Ovation and at the Philadelphia International Film Festival.
Pat studied at H-B Studio in New York with Herbert Berghoff and Hal Holden; and the Juilliard Opera Workshop with Vincent LaSelva. She holds a BA (cum laude) in Theatre/Communication Arts from Villanova University and advanced study in acting, directing and playwriting.