Our
Story
The Genesis Collective story is made of talented artists, passionate community members, and supporters like you.
2021
January
Our Genesis: Seed Funding Granted
The Genesis Collective was granted seed funding from Arts Equity Reimagined.
2021
May
The Genesis Collective Launches
The Genesis Collective begins its journey in Aliquippa, PA.
2021
June
Creatives are Heard
We started community listening sessions for creatives.
2021
August
Collaboration with Aliquippa Impact: Inside Out Project
We installed the Inside Out Project, collaborating with another local nonprofit, Aliquippa Impact.
2021
November
Being Black in Beaver County: An Invitational for Black Creatives
We hosted Being Black in Beaver County: An Invitational for Black Creatives.
2022
January
Educational Partnerships Launched
We launch educational partnerships with Black artists and Black-serving youth development organizations.
2022
February
Creatives Podcast Launched
We launch The Genesis Collective Creatives Podcast.
2022
April
Art Madness!
The Genesis Collective facilitated Art Madness, organizing a series of art events.
2022
June
Summer book club: The Artist’s Way
We launched a summer book club, aimed at helping creatives.
2022
August
Uncommon Concerts and Conversations
Season One of Uncommon Concerts and Conversations launches.
2022
September
Lending Library Launches
We stocked the Lending Library with technical equipment for creatives.
2022
December
Our Stories
The Genesis Collective Media Institute presented "Our Stories," an original piece of community theater.
2023
January
Tomorrow: Aliquippa listening sessions began
Many residents of Aliquippa voiced their thoughts to the panel of Aliquippa judges who chose the mural to represent their thinking.
2023
January
Collaboration: City House, Beaver Falls
We started working with City House, Beaver Falls to share their story.
2023
January
Change of Status and Convening of Board
The Genesis Collective received its 501(c)(3) status, becoming a charitable organization, and convening its board.
2023
April
Community Advocacy: Petrochemical Plant
We commissioned and presented creative advocacy work around the community’s response to a petrochemical plant in our county.
2023
August
Season 2: Uncommon Concerts and Conversations
We kicked off Season 2 of Uncommon Concerts and Conversations!
2023
June
Aliquippa Impact: Theatre Introduction
We partnered with Aliquippa Impact again, this time to showcase theatre to the community.
2023
July
Community crosswalk painting in Ambridge
We collaborated with other nonprofits to paint six crosswalks with handprints and other designs.
2023
August
Underground Railroad Series by Marlon Gist
Marlon Gist, of Genesis Collective, began the Underground Railroad Series.
2024
May
History of Black Aliquippa
The History of Black Aliquippa project begins with The Genesis Collective Media Institute.
2024
June
Muraling with Aliquippa Impact
We created more murals with Aliquippa Impact.
2024
August
Season 3: Uncommon Concerts and Conversations
This time the event spans the bridge with concerts in Aliquippa and Ambridge.
2024
September
Seen and Heard: An Invitational for Black Creatives
The Genesis Collective hosts Seen and Heard: An Invitational for Black Creatives.
2024
October
Art Month!
We gathered artists to display and sell at community festivals throughout the region.
2025
January
Media Institute Partnership
We began a Media Institute partnership with Trails Ministries’ DOVE program.
TODAY
We share our vision with you
The Genesis Collective continues to evolve, adapt, and innovate, building on past successes to create a brighter future for all.
Our
mission
To support Beaver County creatives, provide accessible art experiences in our communities, and build our region’s cultural equity and creative economy.
Support Creatives
We do this through public art commissions and teaching opportunities, connections with other artists, mentors, and partners seeking art, and professional training. The perspectives of creatives are powerful agents of change, and they are to be championed.
Provide Accessible Art Experiences in our Communities
We make a way for the public to speak into the development and beauty of their communities and respond with public art that comes from these conversations. We offer free concerts, artist talks, exhibitions, educational opportunities, and events to the public and to partner organizations. We believe that there should be no barriers to encountering the arts.
Build our Region’s Cultural Equity and Creative Economy
Diversity is good for any culture, and The Genesis Collective promotes creatives from underrepresented communities for the health of our entire region. The creative sector has not been a major economic or cultural driver in Beaver County, but through our work, we are changing that reality.
The Genesis Collective Art Team
We make our decisions as a team. A core group of creatives responds to community needs and a vision for a creatively engaged Beaver County to design programming and art that serves our people.
Leadership Team
Seth Whitted
Videographer
Seth Whitted is a dynamic storyteller within The Genesis Collective, utilizing both filmmaking and podcasting through his business, Whitted Media, to amplify diverse community narratives. His award-winning mini-doc "White Comfort" exemplifies his ability to explore local experiences through a visual medium, while his podcasting ventures further contribute to the collective's work in fostering dialogue and creative expression.
Leadership Team
Jordan Foust
Project Manager
Jordan Foust is the dedicated Project Manager for The Genesis Collective, skillfully guiding the organization's creative initiatives. Beyond his crucial role in project execution, Jordan is also a talented artist, expressing himself through music, spoken word, and comics, further enriching the collective's vibrant artistic landscape.
Leadership Team
Andrenna Williams
Artist
Andrenna Williams is a vital part of The Genesis Collective team, bringing her passion for community and the arts to the forefront. An Aliquippa resident and the director of Uncommon Grounds Cafe and Ministry, she actively engages with the local community.
Leadership Team
Chris Padgett, BFA
Videographer
Chris Padgett is a co-founder of The Genesis Collective and serves as the organization's community filmmaker, directing their storytelling initiatives. He plays a key role in bringing the collective's vision to life through film.
Leadership Team
Erin Ninehouser
Photographer
Erin Ninehouser is a founding member of The Genesis Collective and the photographer behind Rust Belt Mayberry Photography. Based in Beaver County, her documentary approach centers on community, care, and elevating local voices through visual storytelling.
Leadership Team
Marlon Gist
Painter
Marlon Gist is a vibrant artistic voice contributing to The Genesis Collective's mission to celebrate and amplify local creativity. As a talented painter, exemplified by his prize-winning work "Gist Ave." in the Beaver County art invitational, Marlon brings a powerful visual perspective to the collective's efforts to showcase the diverse artistic talent within the community and explore meaningful themes relevant to the region.
Leadership Team
Guy Ruff III
Portrait Artist
Guy Ruff III is a talented portrait artist and muralist who is an integral member of The Genesis Collective team. Through both his large-scale murals and traditional works, he brings a unique artistic vision to the collective's projects and contributes to the vibrant creative landscape of the community.
Leadership Team
Jacob Swanson
Artist
Jacob Swanson is a traditional and digital artist and a creative member of The Genesis Collective team, demonstrating his commitment to the collective's mission of fostering creativity within the community.
Leadership Team
Kevin Farkas
Podcaster
Kevin Farkas is a key storyteller and technical mind supporting The Genesis Collective's commitment to amplifying community voices. As an award-winning audio producer and public historian, he brings expertise in narrative and technical production to projects that share and preserve local stories. Through his leadership of The Social Voice Project, Kevin embodies the spirit of The Genesis Collective in connecting with and showcasing the heart of the community.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors is a group of invested individuals who are experienced in nonprofit work, the arts, community development, catalyzing community agency, or some combination of all of the above.
Board Member
Pamela Rossi-Keen, PhD
Director
Dr. Pamela Rossi-Keen, PhD, PMP, is the visionary Executive Director of The Genesis Collective. As an accomplished art scholar, dedicated educator, and passionate advocate for urban youth, she brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to leading the collective in its mission to cultivate creativity and strengthen community bonds throughout Beaver County.
Board Member
Jay Washington
Board Member
Board Member
Ursula Payne
Board Member
Board Member
Leslie Benedetto
Board Member
Board Member
Kenya Johns
Board Member
Board Member
Jacques Moye
Board Member
