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.

Nikki Engstrom is our current secretary, who 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.

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.

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Paul Courtney recently retired from a career in software and data management in order to dedicate more time to his artistic interests. He brings his experience as a technical specialist to the Cultural Council’s new website and community survey, as well as his skill as a photographer to the Council’s grant program, Music at the Table.

For Paul, the arts are not merely a personal indulgence but an essential component of community life. He believes all types of creative expression brings people together, foster understanding, and enrich the social fabric that binds us all. See examples of his photography HERE.

Ocean Eversley is an African American and Native American artist who previously owned several businesses on Martha’s Vineyard. Since retiring as a clinical social worker and moving to Falmouth, she has volunteered for several non-profits, including the Herren Project. 

She describes her approach to art, “In my photography, paintings, and poetry, I highlight the beauty in the ordinary, the extraordinary, and the whimsical moments in life that give voice to the social and environmental situations that need transformation.” Ocean brings all her experience to the Council’s outreach efforts to insure the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives on creativity. View her art HERE and on Facebook.

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 Kauffman 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.

Luke Okoshi-Michel is a junior at Falmouth Academy. He has played violin since age four and piano since age seven. Luke was selected to be the 2024 All Cape Concertmaster and performed as part of the Southeast Regional Senior Festival Orchestra in 2022 and 2023. In addition, he takes part in ceramics in school, where he has learned how to navigate the pottery wheel.

Through his great experiences in the arts, Luke is able to bring ideas to the Falmouth Cultural Council. When not playing music or throwing on the wheel, Luke can be found on the soccer field or skiing.

Rima Petrosyan is a junior at Falmouth High School who has been involved with art her entire life. She is a member of the National Art Honors Society, and is president of Crochet Club. Rima is also an avid member of her school’s theatre program, honors repertory singers and acappella group (Solfege), president of French Club, and chair of a group working to improve her school’s lunch (GRUB).

Outside of school she enjoys taking ceramics classes and working at the Falmouth Art Center as a teacher, teaching assistant, and the summer clay studio assistant. Rima is honored to be part of the FCC as a new student representative!

Marilyn Rowland joined the Falmouth Cultural Council 2019. 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.

President of ArtsFalmouth, Marilyn 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.

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.