Utica Creative Reuse Core Team

Sarah Marris-Swann

Executive Director

Sarah (she/her) is an artist and a registered nurse from Utica, NY with over a decade of experience working in community and mental health. She started Utica Creative Reuse in 2023 with the goal of establishing a space in CNY for artists of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to connect, create, and inspire each other through the creative reuse of materials, accessible education, and a shared makerspace.

Christian Jones

Treasurer

Christian (he/him) joins the Utica Creative Reuse Board of Directors as a life-long admirer and supporter of the arts. A fellow artist, born and raised in Utica, Christian has long appreciated the city’s commitment to the arts, but recognizes barriers to access and is excited to aid the organization in combating them. 

Christina Fliege

Board Chair

Christina (she/her) is a scientist who comes to Utica Creative Reuse as a recent transplant from central Illinois. Christina dabbles in music and fiber arts and is passionate about lowering the barrier to entry for trying new art activities as well as removing items from the waste stream.  Christina lives in Utica with her husband and two house rabbits

Elissa Johnson

Secretary

Principles of reuse and ecology are core threads running through the many interests of Board Secretary, Elissa Johnson (she/her). When she is not teaching college courses on climate change and cultural food systems, Elissa does her part to keep clothing and home decor in repeat rotation through her vintage business. In the warmer months, she farms edible flowers for direct-to-chef sales. Elissa sees the principles of creative reuse as necessary elements of a community working toward climate justice, waste reduction, and a better city for all of us.