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About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Meet Some of the Crew Behind
SEA of Visibility
This is just a glimpse of the dedicated team that helps steer SEA of Visibility. We are a collective of independent teaching artists, arts administrators, curators, and mental health professionals—including social workers and art therapists—united by a shared commitment to inclusion and healing through the arts.
It takes immense time and energy for our staff and volunteers to realize our mission: creating a more compassionate, inclusive world for neurodiverse artists of all backgrounds, identities, and income levels. Our work focuses on destigmatizing mental illness and fostering reintegration through the power of community and multidisciplinary creative expression.
Highlighted here are just a few of our artist-administrators and mental health team members, chosen as point-people for questions about our arts and mental health programming. But SEA of Visibility is so much more than any one group—we are a vibrant movement powered by a wide network of artists, teaching artists, volunteers, and participants.
Explore our Education Programs, FREE Virtual Offerings, Exhibitions, and Events, and read our Testimonials to discover the heart of SEA: the people, the art, and the transformative community we’re building—together.
Our FOUNDER'S Story
Executive Director, Education Director
Anu Annam (they/flexi) is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed artist, arts educator, administrator, and curator with over 25 years of experience. Known for their emotionally resonant, impressionistic-to-semi-abstract portraiture, Annam captures their subjects' nuanced mental states, energies, and personalities—often turning inward through self-portraiture during deep introspection.
A fierce advocate for inclusivity, Annam is the Founder and Executive Director of SEA of Visibility (Supports Expression through the Arts), an arts-based organization that uplifts BIPOC, immigrant, queer, mentally ill, neurodivergent, and disabled artists. They also founded BOPPI (Bisexual, Open, Pansexual, People of the Islands), both organizations offering arts programs, performances, exhibitions, and education to fight stigma and empower marginalized communities. SEA of Visibility’s integrated arts education program provides free and low-cost multidisciplinary classes, both online and in-person, with support from Suffolk County and other public grants.
Anu Annam Arts & Education has served the Long Island arts community since 2005, offering arts mentorship and instruction for pre-K through lifelong learners, including those with special needs. They are a teaching artist at multiple institutions and have received numerous grants from NYSCA, NYFA, New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, and others for work with at-risk, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and disabled populations. The serve as the Education Director for SEA of Visibility Integrated Arts Education.
Their curatorial work includes projects for the Queens Museum of Art (Multicultural Arts Fair, SWAN Day), Islip Art Museum (Bowie-ween), Cinema Arts Centre (Born This Way, MOSAIC), Farmingdale State College (EMBRACE), and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Long Island
(I L L U M I N A T E D: a lens on gender, featuring Lex Barberio). They have served as in-house curator for Campari <Art House>.
Annam will be completing their Master's Program in Art Therapy from New York University in 2027. They earned their BA in English Literature and Fine Arts from Tufts University and the Boston Museum School. Their art has been showcased in 20 solo exhibitions, including Le Salon d’Art (NYC), Shrishti Art Gallery (India), The New York Open Center, Baruch Performing Arts Center (with Chitravina Ravikiran), and the Islip Art Museum.
They have been featured in Newsday, Fios 1, Canvas Magazine, The Hindu, The Week Magazine, and others. Career honors include a Proclamation from Legislator Rob Calarco for 25 years of LGBTQIA+ advocacy and the Vivekananda Award of Human Excellence in Service of Profession (India). Annam also advises the NYC Department of Education’s PEACE Project and is an active member of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Teaching Artist Affairs Committee. They sit on the Advisory Committee for the Brain Injury Association of New York State, and Patchogue Arts Council/MOCA of LI . They hold an Executive Board position with National Organization of Women’s Suffolk Chapter.
A passionate advocate for the cultural integration of multiply marginalized mentally ill, neurodiverse and physically disabled individuals, and a certified trauma-informed, culturally responsive and multi-lingual educator, Annam's work is rooted in community care, healing-centered practice, and anti-discrimination. They believe in the power of kindness and the arts to transform lives, as their own journey through intersectional marginalization continues to shape their purpose.
Artist's Website
Contact:
📧 anuannam@gmail.com
📞 631-838-7020
Meet The crew
Dr. Nichelle Rivers
Clinical Director, curriculum specialist, Ed.D, MA in Art Therapy
Dr. Nichelle Rivers is a distinguished K-12 educator with a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities in human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion training, program management, curriculum development, curriculum auditing, budgeting and grant management. Dr. Rivers is a self-starting, go getter with a uncommon background in the field of education and currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for Eastern Suffolk BOCES. Dr. Rivers is a practicing visual artist and Creative Arts Therapist who brings not only a creative outside of the box thinking to human resources but a depth of knowledge in mental health.
Stephanie Rubin
LCSW
Social Worker Director
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through trauma-informed care. Grounded in a strong academic foundation—earning my MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work and a BA in English from Marymount Manhattan College—I specialize in clinical practice with a focus on survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and related trauma.
My professional journey spans individual, group, and crisis counseling across diverse settings, including schools, communities, and clinical environments. I have worked extensively with teens, adults, children, couples, and families, using an integrative approach that incorporates talk therapy, art-based interventions, and psychoeducation. At the core of my work is a deep commitment to cultural humility, empowerment, and healing.
In addition to my clinical roles, I have supervised MSW interns, led psychoeducational groups, and actively collaborated with interdisciplinary teams. My early experiences in youth development and volunteer work continue to inform my compassionate, strengths-based practice.
Terri Muuss
Poetry Coordinator, Staff Counselor. :LMSW
Ms. Muuss has a BA in Theatre from Kean University and a MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work. She is also a graduate of the AMDA’s Musical Theatre Program. She is also the author of Over Exposed: A Poetic Memoir (JB Stillwater, 2013). As a motivational speaker, actor, teacher, director, writer and social worker, Terri is always looking for new challenges and actively seeks ways to bring together the various passions in her life.
Web Development, Virtual Access Coordinator, Co-Facilitator
Multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, and peer facilitator with 15 years in visual communications and 20 years in hospitality and community events. Queer, neurodivergent perspective informs work that centers transformation, accessibility, and healing. Proven record of elevating brands, producing inclusive exhibitions, and guiding adult survivors of childhood abuse toward self-directed recovery.
Kyle "Royce"
Music Coordinator
Kyle Royce is an emotional singer-songwriter based in Long Island, New York. From the age of 2, he started playing piano and composing by the age of 9. An experimentalist at heart, he aims to make a marked change in the way we listen to pop. He has one message: Peace Love, Progression. #PLP
Kyle Horne
Assist to the Director
I am a dedicated Graphic Designer with a passion for crafting intricate visual stories through art. With a strong and diverse background in illustration—highlighted by my published works—I bring creativity and depth to every project. I’m also committed to giving back, actively contributing to my community through volunteer work and meaningful collaborations.
Resume
Morgan Sendek
Grant Supervisor
Morgan Sendek is an actor and multi-disciplinary teaching artist from Arlington, Virginia with 8 years experience in arts education grant writing and development. Morgan specializes in early education, providing arts strategies to guide social-emotional development and giving students tools to grow and express themselves with confidence. Morgan loves collaborating with writers and has performed in new works at the Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage Festival and the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival. Her first feature film, Dakota, debuted at the DC Independent Film Festival and held its West Coast premiere at Dances with Films. She won Best Actress in a Comedy Award for SHRUG Production’s multi-award winning short film Mean Cuisine. Morgan received a Bachelor of Music from The Catholic University of America and studied classical theatre at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Morgan currently teaches with Arts Ignite, Community-Word Project, Queens Theatre, and Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. www.morgansendek.com
Meet the board
Nancy Richner
Sonnet Takahisa
Ama Kari-Kari Yawson
Jason Bowman
Nancy Richner
Sonnet Takahisa
Ama Kari-Kari Yawson
Jason Bowman
Meet our Amazing Collaborators
Oya Bangura
Oya Bangura, Choreographer, Originally from West Africa, Sierra Leone, Oya began her dance training early as a scholarship student with Jacques d’Amboise and his National Dance Institute. She has appeared at Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center’s Outdoor Festivals, American Ballet Theatre, New York State Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Balboa Park (San Diego), NDI’s schools (Maine and New Hampshire), and performed with NDI at the Rodotto and Fenice (Venice, Italy). As a member of Tap Kids USA she appeared with the Pointer Sisters for Polaroid’s 50th Anniversary (Boston) and has performed and trained with Mary Tyler Moore, Ann Reinking, Cloris Leachman, Charlotte d’Amboise, Christopher d’Amboise, Judy Collins and Savion Glover.
Additional training at Dance Theatre of Harlem, classes at Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center. Student of Dance, Theatre/Drama Theory, Music/Music Theory, and the Fine Arts at the Jose Feliciano School for the Performing Arts. Trained in dance and choreography at Dana Hall, Wellesley MA. At Boston University she studied and prepared Street-Jazz, Hip- Hop, African, Afro-Modern, Afro Caribbean and Tap works for students at BU and the Black Theatre Company at Tufts University. Oya has continued her theater and dance training at Suffolk County Community College where she became the 2013 KCATCF-National Irene Ryan’s Award Winner.
Oya continued training at Long Island University- Post, classes at Broadway Dance Center, STEPS and Nassau County Performing Arts Center (Long Island). Oya was the Dance Coordinator for the Great South Bay Y Dance Program. She teaches and choreographs all over Long Island including Theatre Three, Theatrics Performing Arts, Stage Door School of Dance, The Tilles Performing Arts Center’s Arts and Education program at LIU- Post (Long Island) and was a Teaching Artist in Jacques D’Amboise’s National Dance Institute- NYC.
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Stephanie Pitocco
Stephanie Pitocco has been trained in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, and hip hop across Long Island and NYC since the age of 2. She has previously performed as the lead role of “Clara” at the age of 10 for Long Island Ballet’s Production Of “The Nutcracker,” as well as several other featured roles in the ballet performance. Stephanie‘s work with several high school dance teams has led her to a grand national title, along with many other awards, such as an innovative choreography award. In 2008, Stephanie had the opportunity to train and perform with the national hip hop company Hip Hop Connxion Chicago, focusing on empowering youth through dance and movement. Her work with Hip Hop Connxion Chicago exposed her to performing with some of the top hip hop artists in the country and several television appearances. Stephanie has also previously choreographed several children’s productions for a local theatre organization, where her choreography has been noted as fun and energetic. Currently, Stephanie teaches at several dance studios and school communities across Long Island, sharing her love for dance and music, while providing youth with a confident self vision.
Stephanie currently holds a BA in Speech-Language Pathology from Hofstra University and a MA in Social Welfare from Stony Brook University.
About
Project MOVE
Project MOVE is an arts-in-education organization offering a variety of different programs including hip hop dance, theater arts, yoga, and costume design programs to meet your school’s goals.
Unlike most arts-in-education Programs, Project MOVE is geared with a mission to raise leaders through the arts by meeting each individual school community’s goals and needs. Our directors spend many hours planning for each individual school’s program and designing the best plan possible to meet your school community. Every program is designed around building confidence, self-love, motivation, team work, and healthy exercise habits, amongst many other topics, to ensure a positive experience.
Alexandra A. Roldan, LMHC
Psychotherapist
Alexandra A. Roldan (she/her) is an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). Alexandra has over 20 years of experience in mental health and psychotherapy.
Alexandra’s passion is working with those in marginalized communities. With a career spanning multiple communities, she has worked with a diverse range of individuals and families. This experience includes the HIV+/AIDS population, LGBTQIA+, inpatient psychiatric care, foster care and family prevention, as well as private practice. In her practice, Alexandra uses a trauma informed framework often calling upon a multitude of treatment techniques in expressive arts therapy, internal family systems/ “parts work,” attachment theory, somatic and bodywork as well as neuropsychology.
Over the past decade Alexandra has put down roots in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn where she is the founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Avenues Mental Health Counseling. Avenues Mental Health Counseling has a deep commitment to serving the local community. At Avenues Mental Health Counseling we encourage our clinicians to be agents of change and embrace and serve marginalized communities. Our clinicians are trauma informed, racially & ethnically inclusive, LGBTQIA+ allied, and social justice minded.
Miriam Kagan
Miriam Kagan (she/her) is an LCAT (licensed creative arts therapist) and is trained in utilizing the visual arts to assist in the therapeutic process. Miriam provides trauma-informed care, meaning it will be an empathetic, accommodating and collaborative environment to establish trust and safety in the therapeutic alliance. She hopes to connect with you through this process and walk alongside you with patience and understanding. Miriam appreciates working with you and learning from you however and whenever you show up. She utilizes CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT and psychodynamic interventions to safely delve into the subconscious or psyche and allow the most growth to occur, for you to reach the goals of your healing journey.
The most recurring themes that Miriam has worked with include managing depressive and anxiety symptoms, developing self-concept and improving self-esteem, and gender-affirming care with the LGBTQIA+ community. Other mental health diagnostics that I’ve worked with include PTSD, personality disorders, substance use disorder, OCD, DID, schizophrenia, and bipolar, among clients from ages 6 to adulthood, from varying backgrounds including low-income, and at-risk communities in the NYC metropolitan area. Miriam is now offering Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, providing healing and support through the process of using ketamine as an enhancement to the therapeutic treatment. If you are interested in learning more about this, Miriam is here to guide you in the collaboration of a personally tailored program to specifically suit your needs. Miriam has been working at Avenues Mental Health Counseling since June 2023.
About Avenues
Founded by Alexandra A. Roldan, LMHC, Avenues Mental Health Counseling is one of the first private practices to provide outpatient mental health services to the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn.
We are a group of therapists with diverse backgrounds offering a wide range of specialties and personalities to suit the needs of the people we serve. We have a deep commitment to serving the local community and have strong ties with the neighborhood. Our patients come from all over New York Metropolitan area.
Avenues Mental Health Counseling is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. It is a safe space for all, all sexual orientations, & all gender identities
virtual counseling and art therapy