The current chairperson of the Cultural Council, Alice is a long-time advocate for community engagement through the arts. A published poet and part-time potter, she curated a long-running series, Calliope Poetry, that brought local, regional and national prize-winning poets to Falmouth. Since being appointed to the Cultural Council in 2021, she has worked on advocating for town funding and expanding the Council’s outreach, including its Music at the Table initiative, in collaboration with Saint Barnabas Church, to feature local musicians at the church’s weekly free luncheons for the homeless. Follow Alice Kociemba on Facebook.

Marilyn Rowland joined the Falmouth Cultural Council 2019 and is currently secretary. She has been involved in the Falmouth ArtMarket almost since its inception in 2007. Now a co-coordinator of the ArtMarket, she sells her crafts there, lines up musicians, and promotes the market. Marilyn is president of ArtsFalmouth where she directs the Woods Hole Trad Stroll, Arts Alive, and the Jazz Stroll, free events celebrating the arts. Marilyn has been a producer/director at FCTV since 1996. She is a writer, editor, web designer, and musician, playing flute in Falmouth Town Band and cello with local fiddlers and with Cape Community Orchestra.

Ilene Karnow is a fabric artist who joined the Cultural Council in 2021, and currently serves at its treasurer. Long active as a volunteer in many community organizations, she extended the reach of the community survey to a variety of venues and events so that more community members would have a voice in defining the Council’s funding priorities. Ilene initiated the Cultural Council’s Music at the Table outreach program at Saint Barnabas, and books the local musicians. She believes that the arts should foster inclusive and accessible cultural experiences that enrich the entire community.

Sadie Inman is a senior at Falmouth High School. As a member of Falmouth Cultural Council, she represents the younger generation in order to support community based projects in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. Sadie appreciates the importance of the arts, “I have always loved and supported the arts. When I was younger I enjoyed playing the piano, dancing ballet, hip hop, jazz, and tap. I joined in hopes of bringing my younger perspective to the council and to help incorporate and fund more adolescent programs within our community.” Before heading off to college, Sadie’s goal is to invite more student representatives to the FCC to advocate for programming on behalf of the younger generation.

Nikki Engstrom joined the Falmouth Cultural Council in June, 2022 in hopes of helping to bring even more cultural arts, humanities, and science experiences to Falmouth residents and visitors. She joins the council as a working musician and teacher, currently performing primarily with her Celtic duo, Stanley & Grimm and student group the Sonnay Fiddlers. She believes that arts and culture are vital to Falmouth’s vibrant community, economy, and continued sense of fellowship. Click HERE for information on Nikki.

Carrie Fradkin is a painter, mosaic artist, teacher, and graphic designer. Since joining the Council in 2021, she has created the logos for the Cultural Council, as well as the PowerPoint presentation that persuaded Town Meeting members to vote to fund the Cultural Council even in excess of what it had requested. Carrie says, “I have been an artist all my life and I believe the arts and sciences are a way to bring all parts of our community together.” She hopes to advance this belief with her participation on the Falmouth Cultural Council.

Caroline Inman has lived in Falmouth with her husband, Matt, and two children, Sadie and Max, for more than two decades. It has always been important to her to contribute to the town she lives in, and as a result, she has volunteered and fundraised for many different non-profits. She joined the Falmouth Cultural Council because she has a deep appreciation for the arts and enjoys supporting and promoting the many diverse opportunities that exist because of the council.

Patricia joined the Cultural Council in 2023. A recent transplant from Boston, Patricia has worked for and with non-profit organizations, focusing on media planning and marketing. In addition to serving on the council, she volunteers for Falmouth Jazz and is responsible for press releases and promotion of live performances at local venues. A lover of the arts, Patricia believes they can foster greater cultural understanding, celebrate diversity and enrich our community.

George J. Scharr is a professional trombonist, lecturer & educator. He has spearheaded an initiative to include high school students as fully participating Cultural Council members. “Bringing art students from all disciplines into the funding and grant processes for the arts is an essential part of an arts education.” Mr. Scharr is the bass trombonist with the Cape Symphony Orchestra, former Director of Education and current Chair of the Arts Department at Falmouth Academy.

Since being appointed to the Council in 2021, Stacey Wiessbock has helped the Council get the word out to a larger share of community members through the creativity of her social media postings on the Council’s Facebook and Instagram. She is also deeply engaged in the Council’s outreach efforts by taking the community survey to such places as ArtsAlive, the Falmouth ArtMarket, the Falmouth Farmers Market, and the Falmouth Dog Park. This innovative approach gives the Council important feedback from a more diverse segment of our community so that the Council’s funding priorities more accurately reflect their concerns.