"I am volunteering with Jing’s current projects because I believe in her vision of bringing a feeling of connectedness with one another and nature.  My experience as a middle school teacher for the past twenty years has taught me that children and adults both will benefit from exploring their inner talents, practicing mindfulness, and having a greater feeling of connectedness to others and the environment. " 
-  Nick Fanelli

"I believe in the Fan Your Talents program because there is a need for a program, non-affiliated, for bringing a community or family together and to create strong confidence boosting opportunities for young people."   
- Jordan Mary

"I love working with Jing. She has an energy that lights up the whole room. Her passion and knowledge truly comes to life in the Fan Your Talents program. I encourage all walks of life to be a part of the program and embrace all it has to offer. "

- Michelle Michalko 




2019 Fan Your Talents Volunteers


Native New Yorker Lauree Feldman is a photographer and graphic artist. Aligning these talents throughout her career, Lauree began work in 1977 as a production assistant creating multi-projector, animated slide shows for corporate clients.


Marcy’s personal art is a unique combination of collage, photography, paint and encaustics. She has shown her work in NYC galleries as well as the Hudson Valley.  Through the formation of Roost Studios Marcy connects many creative people in the community.


Jordan Mary   Project Public Relations


Jordan is an artist in the Hudson Valley. She believes in the Fan Your Talents program because there is a need for a program, non-affiliated, for bringing a community or family together and to create strong confidence boosting opportunities for young people.


Kelvin Antonelli   Project Public Relations


Kelvin has been a resident of New Paltz for 17 years and she is a licensed clinical social worker.


Patrick Carpenter - Digital Media Assistant 

Patrick majored in Digital Media Production at SUNY New Paltz. He provided videography services and assisted Jing with writing in 2019.


Michelle Michalko is a versatile artist with an emphasis on color theory, painting, digital media, sculpture, and advanced printmaking techniques. Her flexible nature and education has led her to work with an array of artist from all around the globe.


Nick Fanelli - Project Development Coordinator 

Nick Fanelli is volunteering with Jing’s current projects because he believes in her vision of bringing a feeling of connectedness with one another and nature.  His experience as a middle school teacher for the past twenty years has taught him that children and adults both will benefit from exploring their inner talents, practicing mindfulness, and having a greater feeling of connectedness to others and the environment.

Steve Lowery - Project Art Activity Assistant


Emre Arapkirli   Project Art Activity Assistant


Emre studied economics, mechanical engineering and music at SUNY New Paltz. His degree is in music. He assisted Jing in the 2017 grant writing process.


Project Team 2017

This is a community oriented project for friends and families.  Without the incredible people who have been working with me, I would not have been able to submit a grant application to Arts Mid-Hudson in 2017; nor, would I have been awarded an individual artist commission to launch this program.  This truly speaks to what a wonderful community we live in.

I believe that this program will be more meaningful and beneficial to the entire community if more people get involved, volunteer and help to support this effort.   Marcy Bernstein, the founder of Roost Studios and Gallery has been very supportive of all of the Roost artists and provided valuable direction and moral support.  Emre Arapkirli, a SUNY New Paltz graduate volunteered to assist me in writing the grant submission.   Emre provided a tremendous amount of time editing my work and modifying my original document.   When I started to work on the grant, Emre was preparing for his final examinations, I was so touched that he always found the time to work with me.

Even my 94 year old mother in-law has pitched in to support my efforts.  I am still working out the details of this effort and my Tai Chi students Kelvin Antonelli an energetic social worker and Beth Wynne, another intern from SUNY New Paltz both meet with me often to provide guidance. 
- Jing Shuai


Team Members


Kelvin Antonelli
Kelvin has been a resident of New Paltz for 17 years and is a beginning Tai Chi student of Jing's. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has been helping Jing with editing and program promotion.

Emre Arapkirli
Emre studied economics, mechanical engineering and music at SUNY New Paltz. His degree is in music. He assisted Jing in the grant writing process.

Beth Wynne
Beth has been editing Jing's work for her project. She is a creative writing major and an art minor at SUNY New Paltz where she dances, writes, and makes art.