Meet the Team
Chloe Kuhn
Market Director
About:
Previous Experiences:
As a nonprofit professional, Chloe has held a variety of past positions at local organizations, including the Jacksonville Zoo, Museum of Science & History (MOSH), and Hope Haven. She additionally has held volunteer roles with Renaissance Jax, the Duval County Envirothon, and is involved with local animal rescue organizations.
About RAM:
"I am so excited to be a part of the RAM team and begin working closely with not only our vendors, but also with our visitors. I truly believe that RAM can be a space where people come to learn and experience new things, and am looking forward to bringing my lens as an informal educator to the Market. There is no other place in Jacksonville combining art, food, music and culture in the way that we are doing here at RAM!"
SJ Osborne
Market Manager
About:
SJ brings a diversity of experiences to the role of Market Manager, including managing trade shows, operating music festivals, and supporting film set production. Before relocating to Jacksonville in 2022, SJ has worked with various small businesses, taking on roles in management, operations, marketing, event planning, and customer service—most recently at Greenhouse Bar. As a neighborhood resident, SJ cares deeply about Riverside and Avondale and connects the causes and goals of RAM to the advancement of the neighborhood at large.
A graduate of Mira Costa College in Oceanside, CA with a B.A. in Communications, SJ looks forward to clear and consistent communication with all of the 300+ RAM Vendors that call the Riverside Arts Market their home. Contact SJ for any questions about becoming a vendor at RAM, cause or theme days, operations logistics, or just to learn more about this incredible neighborhood event.
When SJ isn’t working, you can find them reading a book in the park, trying out local restaurants, and enjoying a delicious glass of natural wine.
Previous Experiences:
As a multidisciplinary professional, SJ has worked with local businesses across the Southeast and with new and small businesses in Jacksonville, including Alps South LLC, Local Honey Salon, De Buyer USA, and Greenhouse Bar. They have also contributed to festivals such as Hangout Fest and Pilgrimage Festival, and assisting in the production of major and local films.
About RAM:
"One of the things that I'm most grateful for about working for RAM is the opportunity to be more involved with the community. Forming genuine connections, building relationships, and working together to create a successful market is what I'm most looking forward to! The values of RAM align with my own and I'm committed to honoring them each day and celebrating them with our community!"
Marisa Whittemore
Digital Media Manager
About:
Marisa, a Jacksonville native and local artist, is the Digital Media Manager for Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) and Riverside Arts Market (RAM). As a marketing and communications professional and champion for small businesses, Marisa has worked in a variety of industries that have allowed her to grow in many aspects and bring more knowledge and depth to each role she has taken on. Her passion and knowledge for all things social media arose when she realized the positive and meaningful impact a good social media strategy can have on small businesses. Marisa can be found every Saturday Under the Bridge, capturing the Market and uplifting the 300+ businesses we support.
When she's not working, you can find Marisa daydreaming of new art ideas, working on her art commissions at home, and spending time with her dogs and family.
Previous Experiences:
Marisa has worked for brands and companies like Rip Curl, Advanced Disposal, JAXUSA Partnership and operates her business, MSW Stained Glass.
About RAM:
"As someone who has always loved and admired the Riverside Avondale neighborhood, I am very happy and grateful to be a part of such a wonderful organization that works to preserve its historical features as well as promote the businesses, arts and culture that resides within the community. As a local artist, it has also been an amazing experience to dive deeper and be more integrated in the operational side of Riverside Arts Market. I love getting to know all the vendors and helping them grow to reach their goals."
Teresa Pham
Marketing & Communications Intern
About:
Teresa is a Jacksonville-born and raised creative and is the Marketing & Communications Intern for the remainder of the 2024 year. She is currently a full-time student at the University of North Florida studying Public Health expected to graduate Spring 2025. Throughout college, she has worked in Sales & Marketing, specializing in digital marketing and social media. Her passion for all things creative took place when she started going out to the Jacksonville community to take photos. Now, she is local content creator and is a stylist at Aritzia Jacksonville. In her free time, she is the President of the Vietnamese Student Association at UNF working with her own team, cooking, or thrifting with her friends and family.
Teresa can be found almost every Saturday at RAM taking behind-the-scene photos or connecting with strangers.
Previous Experiences:
Teresa was a project manager for Curbside Agency and a social media intern for public figure Nate Does Food, Eartha’s Farm & Market, and Beauty Depot.
About RAM:
“As someone who frequents going to the Riverside Avondale neighborhood, I have always found the historical and unique features charming for the community. Now that I am part of the team, I am ecstatic to be part of a community-driven organization that is continually working to promote the businesses and events taking place in Jacksonville. As someone who loves supporting small businesses, I am looking forward to learning more about the history and logistics of the Riverside Arts Market & neighborhood.”
Casey Roth
Development Manager
Previous Experiences:
Casey previously worked at the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, supporting the Duval County Teacher of the Year program. He co-founded Jacksonville Global Shapers, organizing the “Shaping Florida 2022” conference - a project highlighted at the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Annual Summit in Geneva. Additionally, Casey initiated the Young Professional Delegation of Jacksonville, elevating young professionals into pivotal decision-making roles to help shape the city's future.
About RAM:
"Every Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridge, we bring people together. Artists, farmers, neighbors - all gathering by the river. We share our work and our lives. We build a community. Being part of RAM allows me to write myself into this story, where every moment is as honest and enduring as the sunlight on the water."
Shannon Blankinship
Executive Director
About:
Shannon is a long-time resident of Jacksonville’s urban core neighborhoods and believes Riverside and Avondale are the heart of our great city. Shannon grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, receiving a B.S. in Environmental Economics and Political Science. After working for the Delaware Riverkeeper in Philadelphia, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida and received her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law with an emphasis in pro bono community service and the Environmental Certificate.
Shannon worked at St. Johns Riverkeeper for nearly a decade, starting as Outreach Director, guiding the bi-annual Eco Heritage Boats Trips, hosting River Ruckus at the Riverside Arts Market, and leading the annual River Friendly Yards program, plus more. Once becoming Advocacy Director, she worked to develop policy action plans, legislative strategies, and administer the Water Policy Group. Her focus issues were resiliency and growth/land development.
Previous Experiences:
Shannon served as the first Chair of Resilient Jax (now the Jacksonville Climate Coalition), a coalition of community organizations working together to elevate concerns regarding resiliency in Jacksonville. Other committee work includes serving on the 2014 COJ Consolidation Task Force, the Groundwork Jacksonville McCoys Creek Restoration Task Force, the COJ Planning Department Adaptation Action Area Working Group, and the COJ Special Committee on Resiliency as a Special Expert.
In May 2021, Shannon became Executive Director of Riverside Avondale Preservation. In this role, Shannon continues to focus on preservation. She is an advocate for the land and water that defines our neighborhood, the walkable streets that lead to independently-owned businesses, and the historic homes that shape our community. Shannon is a graduate of the Class VI Hightower Fellowship and the Jim Moran Institute Nonprofit Executive Program.
Frank Widner and Roy Peak
Specialized Support at RAM
About:
Riverside Arts Market would not be what it is if not for these two extraordinary men! Frank (pictured left) and Roy (pictured right) have been providing support to RAM since the very beginning and are the backbone of our story. They show up every Saturday to help us put on the best market we can be. Frank helps us start the day by setting up and breaking down every Saturday. And Roy provides his master expertise when it comes to sound. The River Stage would not be a premier performance spot if not for his skillset.
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