Women to Watch Awards Finalists – Arts

Christina Brier & Linda Estep 

Executive Director & Artistic Director, Brooklyn Arts Music Academy 

Describe your role and work that you do. 

Brier: “As the executive director of Brooklyn Arts Music Academy, I oversee all operational and strategic aspects of the organization. I manage program development, fundraising, and community partnerships to ensure accessible and exceptional music education for our students.” 

Estep: “My role is labeled as artistic director of BAMA. This includes many responsibilities including day-to-day operation of our facility, program planning, meeting with prospective students and donors, as well as instructing weekly violin lessons. Another major role is overseeing and writing curriculum for our Music is Life! program that brings 450 New Hanover County School children free, weekly music education.” 

How do you describe the art you create? 

Brier: “As an orchestral harpist, I perform regularly with the North Carolina Symphony and Wilmington Symphony. As a chamber musician, I perform with the Brierwood Ensemble and harp duo Lilac 94. As a solo harpist, I perform for recitals, weddings, and events around Wilmington.” 

Estep: “I would describe the art I create as life-changing. Music is something that all humans can relate to. It doesn’t matter the background or life circumstances that someone may be experiencing. Music is an escape and a way to connect with others around us.” 

Amanda Goodyear 

Actor, Host, Radio DJ & Comedian, Momedy Comedy & Sunny 103.7 

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“I am literally the personality hire.  I work as an actor, host, radio DJ, and comedian, known for my roles in TV, film, Momedy Comedy, and broadcasts on Sunny 103.7. Each week, I juggle multiple events as a personality, engaging diverse audiences with humor and entertainment across various platforms. But for real, Momedy Comedy wouldn’t exist without my business partner Shannon Perez-who is the brains!” 

How do you describe the art you create? 

“Once I embraced being myself, everything started to click. For me, it’s all about connecting openly with my audience and being real. I strive to be an open book, sharing my journey and experiences along the way.” 

What’s a goal? 

“Let’s put it out there: I want a talk show!” 

What do you hope people feel when they look at your work? 

“I want my work to be a source of joy and a break from the tough stuff. I hope they feel seen, heard, and among friends. One of our favorite things to hear at the end of a Momedy event is, ‘I needed this!’” 

Louise Curtin Ramseur 

Artist & Coordinator, Art at the Hall 

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“I am a visual artist. I make abstract art using mostly fiber and mixed media. I also volunteer my time to coordinate Art at the Hall, which features local visual artists’ works displayed at Thalian Hall.” 

How do you describe the art you create? 

“I enjoy creating abstract pieces that are filled with moment and emotion. I like using unexpected materials to create bold visual designs. My most current work is a 6-foot-long crocheted knot, made of mixed fabrics with tassels and lots of frayed ends and texture.” 

What is your favorite medium or genre? 

“At the moment, I have been enjoying working in fiber – anything tactile: from yarn and paper to quilting and more.” 

What do you hope people feel when they look at your work? 

“Anything at all! If my art can inspire an emotion, positive or negative, then I’m satisfied. I think that visual art has the power to reflect the viewer’s emotions, and, in the best cases, bring to the surface feelings that the viewer may not have been aware they held.” 

LJ Woodard 

Founder & Artistic Director, Performance Club Kids/CEO & Chair, Performance Club Theatre Company 

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“My role is to provide a creative outlet for youth in our community, empowering them to express themselves and build confidence through the performing arts.  

For the past twenty years, I have been dedicated to delivering after-school programs, workshops, summer theater camps, and producing theatrical productions. As a director and teaching artist, I have had the privilege of nurturing young talents, guiding them in their artistic journeys, and witnessing their growth both on and off the stage. 

With the establishment of PCTC (Performance Club Theatre Company), our nonprofit arm, I am excited to extend our reach and impact. In my capacity as CEO and chair, I will have the opportunity to elevate our mission to new heights. This expanded role allows me to focus on strategic planning, community partnerships, and securing funding to ensure the sustainability and growth of our programs.” 

What’s a goal? 

“My vision is to make the arts accessible to all children, regardless of their financial background, and to cultivate a community that values creativity, collaboration, and personal development – hopefully with our own facility, a safe and welcoming space.” 

Jameka Wrisbon Purdie 

Jewelry Artist, Alter Ego Designs/Teaching Artist, DREAMS Center for Arts Education  

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“I have two roles, and I love them both. First and foremost, I am a jewelry artist. I think, sleep, and breathe beads. I am lucky to be a vendor at the Riverfront Farmers Market on Saturdays from April to November. I am even more blessed to be a featured artist in Art in Bloom Gallery in Mayfaire. The owner, Amy Grant, has been my biggest supporter and makes me feel like I could do anything.  

I also cherish my role as a teaching artist at DREAMS Center for Arts Education where I get to share my knowledge and techniques – alongside so many talented local artists – with young artists ages seven to seventeen. I teach jewelry-making and junk journaling classes after school during the school year and in summer camps. There is something truly special about encouraging the next generation of artists.” 

 What’s a goal? 

“I love teaching the children at DREAMS … and I will soon be teaching workshops for adults at Leland Cultural Arts Center. However, I would really like to bring the beautiful world of jewelry-making to even more individuals by offering many more classes, workshops, and seminars in the Wilmington area.”

To view the Women to Watch Awards Finalists main page, click here.

To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.

To view more of photographer Summer Lambert’s work, go to summerlambertphoto.com.

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