DESIGN
OUR TEAM
BOARD
Molly Bombardi-Mount
Kelly Dorsey
Joshuah Gregory
Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier (Secretary)
Mary Linden Salter (Chair)
Evelyn Yeargin
Claudia Bonnyman (Vice Chair)
Jen Purdom
 Dance Machine by Tony Fleming |  Serenity by Anne Ambrose |
|---|---|
 Sunflower by Ruby Collins |  Poppy by Kurt Wishing |
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Lynece Benton-Stewart
Executive Director
Lynece Benton-Stewart oversees teaching and administrative staff; works with the Board of Directors to identify strategic plans and policies; leads efforts to gather evaluative data of HAPI’s programs; and identifies opportunities for growth through fundraising, partnerships, and service expansion. Ms. Benton-Stewart has over 20 years of clinical experience, is a licensed mental health counselor, and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision. She is passionate about the use of art in the recovery process, is an art collector, and volunteered with HAPI for years prior to her appointment as Executive Director.
Kiara Bacon
Middle TN Program Coordinator
Hello I'm Kiara Bacon. I'm the new Project Coordinator for HAPI. I've been with the organization since mid-February. I met Ms. Lynece through healing arts myself and we hit it off from the start. Some of my favorite hobbies include helping others, and cooking and trying new recipes. I also enjoy painting, along with arts and crafts. I enjoy trying new styles on my daughter. She's my "Better Me" and loves fashion. So, she truly helps me stay creative. I'm also a Licensed Esthetician so learning marketing is bringing out my creativity as well. I'm as unique as a Unicorn and fierce like a Dragon.
Garrett DeVaughn
Social Media and Marketing Manager
Garrett grew up in Alabama, and moved to Nashville in 2005. After working in the non-profit arena with mental health and addiction recovery for 15 years, Garrett began pursuing a career as an artist. Garrett joined the HAPI team in December of 2022, and excited to be working to improve the community around him again through art and through HAPI.
TEACHERS
Marlynda Augelli has a C.F.A. degree and experience with after-school art programs. She teaches art classes and occasional print-making and tie-dying classes.
Marta Beatriz is a contemporary artist/poet/singer who lives in Memphis, TN since 2013. She is also a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Therapeutic Art Coach with Transformation Academy. She uses healing arts as a tool to help people cope with symptoms of mental health creatively.
Crystal Brown is a multi-faceted artist, well-versed in the healing arts. She explores her professional passions through painting commissions, murals, portrait art as well as playing acoustic instruments at Sound Bath events. As a reiki master and yogi, she brings a powerful skill set to world communities.
Selina Hyzer graduated from MTSU with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. In 2020, she joined HAPI as the Outreach and Arts Coordinator. As her ministry in Coffee County began to grow, she felt lead to pursue it full time. In 2021, Selina stepped down from her administration position with HAPI, but is still involved today as a HAPI instructor, and independent artist.
LeeAnn Love has an master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Lesly University. She is a licensed art therapist and clinical mental health counselor. She has a private practice and has worked to create art therapy programs for children, youth, and families. http://www.leeannlove.com/
James Spearman has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He specializes in interior architectural design and space planning. Beyond the classes he teaches for HAPI, Jame has also taught art classes in elementary schools and the YMCA. https://www.jamesspearmangallery.com/