Board of Directors

AMANDA M. MASSON - President and Gallery Director

Amanda M. Masson is a painter and mixed media artist. Her works are explorations of emotions, responses, and a practice of art therapy for herself. She is heavily influenced by the works of the Great Masters, Surrealists, and Pop Artists of the mid 20th century. When not at GALA, Amanda spends time in her studio with her cat Gracie or in her garden in Lynn.

LISA CONNOLLY - Treasurer

Lisa is a passionate art and community enthusiast, a dedicated volunteer at the Galleries at Lynn Arts, a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother.  With a lifelong love for the visual arts and the City of Lynn, Lisa has always been drawn to the ability of art to tell stories and evoke emotion. She joined the gallery volunteer team in 2024, eager to immerse herself in the downtown Lynn arts revival and contribute to its accessibility for all.

DASH LOPEZ - Board Member

Dash Lopez is a multidisciplinary artist, event curator, and community advocate passionate about using the arts to bring people together. His work as founder of Lumina Collective focuses on building opportunities for artists through community engagement, creative programming, and collaborations. Dash is committed to helping strengthen Lynn’s creative ecosystem and growth of the city’s vibrant arts community.

JAMES TREVINO - Board Member

James Treviño is an artist who skillfully blends abstract exploration with detailed portrait observation. Using acrylic and oil, James applies innovative techniques to push the limits of artistic expression. He views art as a journey of exploration, embracing the lessons found in mistakes and imperfections. James is also the Executive Director of Artpie Gallery and Studio, a nonprofit art organization doing work in Chicago and Boston helping artists create life enhancing art experiences.

JIMI SIMMONS - Board Member

An early interest in painting and art led to a scholarship at the University of Washington. However, this was cut short by an opportunity to delve into the new world of digital image-making. For the next 35 years, my career would be in the film industry, specializing in visual effects. Being at the origins of digital imaging has allowed me to work in various film genres with many directors, from dedicated storytellers like Francis Ford Coppola to visionary image makers like George Lucas.

Now retired, and with the advent of Artificial intelligence, I've returned to more traditional art forms. I enjoy using my acquired experience to create visual art and storytelling. Sharing this knowledge with the next generation of artists has become part of my new purpose.

KAREN SUSAG - Board Member

Karen is a mixed media artist. She has extensive experience serving Boards. In 1998, she co-founed an environmental justice organization. She has passion for community, justice, and equity.