Our Staff

Aimee Olivo || Executive Director

Aimee Olivo, a true believer in the power of the arts to transform lives, is incredibly proud to serve as Art Works Now’s second executive director. She is a passionate community builder and advocate for equity and social justice.

Prior to joining Art Works Now, Aimee served as the Chief of Staff for Prince George’s County Council Member Dannielle Glaros (D-District 3). Aimee is most proud of her work to promote economic development, support non-profit organizations, improve the environment, and promote community in that role. Previously she spent nearly two decades working as a professional fundraiser.

Aimee has held numerous volunteer leadership roles advocating for educational equity and student success. She was appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley to serve on the Board of Trustees for Prince George’s Community College in 2010 and continued in that role through February 2022. She served as a member and chair of the Prince George’s County Commission for Education Excellence under County Executive Rushern Baker.

 In 2012, Aimee was recognized by the Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund as a member of their inaugural “Prince George’s 40 Under Forty” cohort. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University), in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. On nice days, Aimee bikes to work from her home in Cheverly.

Aimee looks forward to a strong and enduring future for Art Works Now as together we continue to create the world we imagine.

Mánique Buckmon || Senior Director, Programs

Mánique is an artist, an advocate of the arts, and has a passion for building long lasting relationships with communities in Prince George's County and surrounding areas. Prior to working at Art Works Now, she served as the Program Manager of the arts education non-profit Artivate in Montgomery County for 3 years, where she facilitated the placement of over 1000 performance and visual art programs with local and international teaching artists for schools and communities throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Her trajectory of work includes, Youth Programs Assistant Coordinator of the Youth and Teen Department at the Columbia Art Center in Howard County. She led within the organization at different capacities for over 5 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Maryland, College Park and is currently an Emerging Arts Advocate with Maryland Citizens for the Arts.

Lisa Kiczales || Senior Director, External Relations

Through her many years of experience in marketing and publishing, Lisa has acquired the necessary insight and perspective to design strategic and creative marketing programs. Her analytical, detail-oriented side (she actually finds designing the perfect Excel spreadsheet compelling) works seamlessly with her imaginative side giving her the ability to bring innovative creative solutions into existence. For as long as she can remember, Lisa has been a creator. Recently her focus has been on collage and photography, often combining the two. She’s excited to be using her skills to deepen the connection between Art Works Now and the community by sharing stories that will inspire more people to create the world they imagine. Lisa cannot think of a better place to merge her professional experiences with her passion for sharing the transformative power of art. 

Houkje Ross || Associate, External Relations

Houkje comes to Art Works Now with a background in writing and communications. For 15+ years, she worked for a variety of non profits in the D.C. area that focused on improving the health of individuals and underserved communities.  After studying and practicing health and wellness coaching (via Martha Beck), she discovered that creativity and self expression can serve to heal both individuals and communities. She is excited to be at an organization that encompasses so many of her passions (art, community, re-imagining the world, health and wellness) and looks forward to helping Art Works Now grow into its next phase.

A mixed-media artist, Houkje loves exploring and linking nature, art, and community. She lives in Mt. Rainier Maryland and loves that her bike commute to Art Works Now takes her by blue herons, turtles, and other wildlife.

Adanma Huria || Facilities and Studio Manager

Adanma Huria is a native of the Greater Washington area and a longtime member of the AWN family. She studied visual arts at Drexel University and has several years of experience in space organization and facilities management. A student of our Founder and Executive Director during her high school years, Adanma has participated in AWN programs and witnessed the organization’s growth since its inception. She is passionate about her work keeping the wheels turning so that AWN is a safe and comfortable space for our community.

Luca Dehais || Registrar

Luca Dehais is a lifelong learner and a multi-disciplinary artist, with a young, fresh mind. As Registrar, he is looking forward to using his exceptional organizational skills, ability to apply himself to whatever comes his way, and his capacity for quickly adapting to new situations to help ensure a positive and welcoming experience for all AWN students. As an artist, he is passionate about the creativity that is inspired by exploring different forms and mediums of art. In his role as AWN teaching artist, Luca strives to provide his students with the tools and building blocks that will spark their creativity and ability to express themselves through art.

Aida Ebrahimi || Clay Studio Fellow

Aida is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator in Washington DC. Their passion is creating, expressing, and questioning life through visual arts such as photography, drawing and paintings, sculpture, and writing. A life-long learner, Aida is always looking for ways to grow and add new skills to her toolbox, and she strives to create a loving and welcoming space for others to express and explore themselves through the arts. Aida currently teaches after school art programs at DC public schools, along with yoga and art to adults and older adults.