Elizabeth S. Young, executive director -Elizabeth has an extensive background in both the performing and visual arts. Her experience working with non-profit organizations spans program development, board relations, fundraising, publicity and marketing. She earned her B.A. in Art History and Theater from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. After spending nearly a decade in New York City as a Casting Director for film, television and theater she relocated to the Florida Keys in 1987.
Her professional life in the Keys includes being the business manager of Island Wellness for 15 years, and from 2002 to 2007, working in all aspects of the business of the fine art photography gallery of Alan S. Maltz. Additionally, she assisted Mr. Maltz with the completion and promotion of his award-winning coffee table book, Florida… Beyond the Blue Horizon.

Mrs. Young’s volunteer work spans being President of the Board of Directors for the Montessori Elementary Charter School, a current Board Member of Congregation B’nai Zion, working backstage at Nutcracker Key West as the assistant stage manager and as a devoted volunteer La Leche leader for over 15 years.

As Executive Director of the Arts Council, she has expanded her duties to include activities such as serving on a grant panel for ARRA funding from the Division of Cultural Affairs, presenting at the City of Key West’s Ambassador program and for the Board of the Tourist Development Council to being a judge of over 100 children at the infamous Fantasy Fest Children’s Day costume contest.

Liz and her husband, Gary with daughters, Emily and Claire enjoy being a part of the Florida Keys Arts community.

Jodell Roberts, business manager - Jodell brings a unique blend of an art and business background to the Arts Council. She has a BA in Philosophy from Northwestern University, BFA in drawing and printmaking from Florida Atlantic University, and photography studies at The Maryland Institute, College of Art. Following a career as a legal assistant in Ft. Lauderdale and Baltimore, she worked as administrative assistant, office manager and land planning technician for a Key West firm. Her recent art work has focused on pinhole photography. Teaching intensive pinhole photography seminars at the Key West Art & Historical Society’s summer youth program for 5 years has strengthened her commitment to our arts community, our young artists and the pinhole process. Jodell manages grants, programs, membership services, budget and financial records, and board and committee meetings.

Jackie Schofield, calendar coordinator - Jackie Schofield began her life in the small agricultural town of Seymour, Indiana. She was raised in Columbus, Indiana and it was there she was first introduced to the arts through modern architecture by Eliel and Eero Saarinen, I M Pei, Richard Meier and Harry Weese among others. Jackie's professional life began in advertising and marketing as an illustrator and designer with a concentration in corporate identity programs and sales incentives. In 1989, after visiting Key West numerous times she decided to become more than a visitor to the island by making it a temporary home through 1995. During this period she shifted her focus to office administration. With 20 years experience as an administrative assistant, Jackie had the privilege of working for Indiana University in The Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Cook Medical; Boston Scientific and Guerbet. She brings a background with a wide range of administrative and organization skills while reintroducing herself to the arts and Key West. For recreation Jackie enjoys the arts and the island view.

Reen Stanhouse, membership specialist - As Reen always says, "I'm out doin' the do." And she does it well. Reen's metal sculptures and ironwork are in collections throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Upon graduating from Syracuse University she traveled to the Florida Keys and never returned to the North or its ways again. She continues to pursue a broad freelance career from graphic arts to social work -- all the while following her passions as a “seawoman” and “soulster of metal”. Private commissions are the continuous thread in her journey, the latest being a 12-foot cigar sculpture for the Gato and Fuentes cigar families.

Valerie Vaugouin-Smith, executive assistant - Born and raised in Paris (France), Valerie has been lucky to live in various parts of the world such as Sierra Leone (West Africa), Guam, Japan, Hawaii, Louisiana, Florida and now resides in Germany. Holding a degree in Travel and Tourism Studies, she worked in this field before switching to an Arts focused career working in several galleries. Over the years, she has developed her administrative, organizational and computer skills and brought them to the Arts Council. After being our Executive Assistant in the Key West office for three years, she now creates our KeyArts Weekly e-blast and works on special projects for us from thousands of miles away.