O'Hanlon Center for the Arts Mill Valley Names New Co-Directors

The following was submitted for publication by Murphy Productions & Publicity:

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley has recently hired Kellan Christopher and Erma Murphy, to direct the 45-year-old nonprofit.

The new Center Director is Kellan Christopher of Mill Valley. Kellan is in charge of facility, gallery, and center operations. Erma Murphy of Stinson Beach is the new Director of Programs and Outreach. She will be in charge of programming, special events, and community outreach.

“We are very lucky to have found two such gifted and dynamic individuals as Kellan and Erma to lead O’Hanlon Center at this critical time in our history,” said O’Hanlon board president Abby Wasserman. “Building on the accomplishments of our outgoing director, Megan Wilkinson, Kellan and Erma will encourage new creative growth and innovation while continuing to honor the philosophy and tradition of our founders, Ann and Dick O’Hanlon.”

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts is a unique community-focused nonprofit art center located at 616 Throckmorton Ave. on two bucolic acres at the base Mt. Tamalpais in Cascade Canyon, Mill Valley. The Center is truly an artists’ sanctuary.

Founded in 1969 as “Sight & Insight Center” by Anne and Dick O’Hanlon as an artists community, their legacy continues today now as a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to provide programs, studio space, exhibitions and experiences that honor individual creativity, develop artistic practice, and build community. The Center gallery hosts new shows monthly open to the public . Classes are offered for both children and adults in the Loft in visual, literary, performing and meditative arts. For more information visit the O’Hanlon Center website.

Co-Directors Bios:

Kellan Christopher’s diverse background encompasses the performing arts, education, spiritual development, administration, hospitality, technology and property management. As a professional actor/singer, he performed in regional theatres, national tours, and on Broadway. He is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of MN, with further studies at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in NYC and SUNY Purchase.

Post-Broadway, he developed an industry-first Outreach & Education program for Actors’ Equity Association which was later emulated by SAG/AFTRA.

Kellan has been Project Manager for a private Trust, and has advised groups on organizational structure, efficiency and staff development. He created a powerful coaching practice supporting intuitive and creative development, and has recently provided website design and technology support for small businesses & non-profits.

Kellan enjoys photography, hiking, fiber arts and ceramics, and occasionally performs locally as a vocalist. As an avid believer in nurturing every individual’s unique creative process, he is thrilled to step into his new role at O’Hanlon Center for the Arts.

Erma Murphy has lived in Marin since she was three years old. She graduated from San Marin High and received a BA in Anthropology from UC Berkeley. She is an events producer and community activist whose company, Murphy Productions, was honored with a Milley Award for Creative Contributions to the Community this last October. She has been a publicist for many arts and music organizations in the Bay Area for over ten years and serves as the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Artist Liaison.

Erma loves to dance, study Tai Chi and hike on beautiful Mt. Tam. She sings with West Marin Common Voice and is a member of the Outdoor Art Club and Vimala Sangha. She is excited to share the offerings of the O’Hanlon Center with the community and to explore and expand her own artistic side with a special interest in photography and poetry.