who we Are

Mattie O’Grady is a Recreation Supervisor for the Town of San Anselmo and is responsible for a multitude of youth recreation programs and special events, and also serves as the staff liaison for the Arts Commission.  Prior to joining the Town’s Recreation Department, Mattie served as a program coordinator for the City of Emeryville’s youth services division.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (go Mustangs!) and truly enjoys recreation not only in her profession but also in her personal life.  She currently lives in San Anselmo with her husband, Emmet, and can be seen running, hiking, playing soccer, checking-out estate sales, or at any event around town!

Kathee Shatter has a passion for the Arts and is excited to be serve the community as an Arts Commissioner.  A resident of San Anselmo for over 25 years, she has come to know the amazing artistic talent in the Ross Valley and hopes to help shape events and projects that showcase the “treasures” of our Arts community. She is a Realtor with Pacific Union, serves on the Boards of the Marin Association   of Realtors and Integrated Community Services.

Barbara Shands moved to the Bay Area in 1996 to receive a Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley. She started her career as an architect focusing on educational, commercial and civic projects and currently has a local practice, Shands Studio. Barbara has been an adjunct professor at USF and volunteered with non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Architecture for Humanity.  A resident of San Anselmo since 2012, she has always had a passion for the arts and is excited to serve on the Commission promoting art within Ross Valley.

Kathleen Edwards, San Anselmo resident since 2000, is a painter, illustrator, bookbinder, muralist and woodworker. Her Work has been widely exhibited and collected. Serving on the Arts Commission aligns perfectly with her lifelong interest in the places where art meets daily life, and her belief that action on a local level can change the world.  

Elizabeth Grasso was appointed to the San Anselmo Arts Commission in 2019. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and spent her professional career in marketing with AT&T. Her life shifted after having children and for the last 20 years she’s spent her time volunteering at schools and numerous philanthropies. "Art in our community is important not just for how it makes us feel but for its inspiration to younger generations. Anything is possible with art!" Elizabeth is also on the board at National Charity League Southern Marin where you can find her volunteering with her daughter.

Marc Cohen is a retired data scientist and life-long artist. Today he paints in Studio 23 in Artworks Downtown on 4th Street in San Rafael. He has lived in San Anselmo for 15 years and is happy to be a member of the Arts Commission and help to nourish the culture for visual art in the Ross Valley.

Grace Angel painter, photographer and poet, has been a San Anselmo resident since 2010. Drawn to the nature and beauty of Marin County, she and her family - husband, Gary and two daughters - fled the foggy summers of San Francisco. An event planner for bespoke celebrations, intimate conferences & workshops and food and wine gatherings. She has served as a Trustee at the Presidio Hill School in San Francisco, and as Secretary, and Chair of Diversity and Inclusion at Marin Academy's MAPA, parent led committee. She volunteers with the Marin Friends of Ferals, caring and socializing feral cats in the San Rafael and San Anselmo areas. She is honored to serve on the Art Commission and hopes to utilize her skills as an event planner in assisting our town organize art centric events.

Nish Nadaraja A relatively new resident of San Anselmo, Nish hopes that his marketing and branding experience will help more people discover and appreciate the Art Commission's public works and programs. He has served on boards and committees with The Commonwealth Club of California, YBCA, and the Asian Art Museum and loves to collect and support local artists whenever he (and his wife Jane) can.

Jane Cunningham is excited to join the Arts Commission. "I have always supported artists and most especially local artists wherever I have lived and traveled to as well. I have lived in San Anselmo for over 40 years and volunteered in the schools for many years. I am a semi retired therapist, and did lots of volunteer work with my professional organization. I have a garden which is an ongoing project, like to hike with my dogs and enjoy the beauty we have here.”

Tara Catherine Pandeya is a third-generation San Anselmoite, second-generation dancer, choreographer, and scholar. A former soloist for Cirque du Soleil, trained dance ethnologist & Fulbright scholar, Tara teaches locally for the LINES Ballet's BFA program at Dominican University. She is dedicated to fostering diverse, inclusive, and socially-engaged art making and community building.  

Julia Wise is a Youth Commissioner. She currently attends Archie Williams High School and loves the San Anselmo community. She is very passionate about music and is the lead singer of her band “Mystery of Birds” who perform at local restaurants periodically. She has a creative mind and aims to bring more art and music to San Anselmo through the arts commission as well as support youth artists in their journey with art.

Hanna Janson is a junior at Archie Williams, and an active member in both their music and drama programs. She loves to sing, act, hike, and just explore the outdoors. She’s excited to be a part of the commission and learn more about her town and the arts around her!