Women to Watch Awards Finalists – Arts

Jaya Kandasamy

Director of Youth Development, DREAMS Center for Arts Education

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“As director of youth development, I champion every DREAMer’s journey – supporting innovative curriculum and empowering our vibrant teaching artists. I work to ignite curiosity, encourage bold creativity, and build a space where young people and artists alike feel fearless to explore, express, and transform challenges into triumphs.”

What are some of your career highlights so far? 

“Before joining DREAMS, I was a full-time artist and teacher with a background in child and adolescent mental health. My journey began as a volunteer, grew into a teaching artist role, and ultimately led me to become director of youth development – all while teaching.”

What inspired you to start creating art? 

“My grandmother is not only an artist but a true inventor. She sews, draws, cooks, and gardens at the master level even though she only attended school until the eighth grade. When she couldn’t find fabric for my baby clothes that matched my mom’s outfits, she would take apart my mom’s clothes and put them back together seamlessly with fabric to spare for me. When she couldn’t find paint, she would use coffee grounds. She stone grinds all of her curry powders and concocts her own plant food. She still inspires me to this day!”

Marcy McAninch

Owner, Riverwalk Glass

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“I create stained glass designs and bring them to life with glass, copper, and solder in my home studio. … I also teach others the exciting process of making stained glass art.”

How do you hope to make an impact through art? 

“I want to make glass pieces that inspire me but also make something that someone might hang in their home or office and be able to enjoy in the sunlight – maybe make them smile when they look at it. I also would love if I could inspire someone to pick up the art of stained glass the way I did by teaching them in a small local classroom. … Stained glass is said to be a dying art. Hopefully introducing the art form to a younger generation may keep the interest alive and kicking.”

What themes/issues are most important in your work? 

“I love the ocean. I gravitate towards water and ocean themes, which reflect in my color choices and designs. But I also love using bright colors – the more bold the better! Sometimes the pattern or color of glass may even dictate the design or inspire a piece, whether it is a swirly colorful piece of Oceanside Fusers Reserve glass or a Florentine starburst pattern of Wissmach cathedral glass.”

Summer McPherson

Owner & Director, Wilmington Latin Dance

Describe your role and work that you do.

“As owner, it is my honor and responsibility to uphold the essence and values of WLD (Wilmington Latin Dance) throughout our classes and events, creating a space that is fun and inclusive for our students and attendees. As director, I create/co-create courses and workshops that allow our students to enjoy their learning journey. I host events and collaborate with local businesses to create spaces for the community to come together and experience the joy of Latin dancing.”

What are some of your career highlights so far?

“We have created amazing memories over fourteen years! I will never forget standing on the deck of the Battleship North Carolina, looking at the sea of dancers at our event, Port City Salsa Splash. Working with the production team, actors, and dancers of (feature film) Merv was exhilarating. Hosting Island Parties – a unique dance adventure. My favorite highlights are when students share how WLD has made a positive impact in their lives; it fills my heart.”

What themes/issues are most important in your work?

“Celebrating and sharing Afro-Latin music and dance is meaningful to WLD. It both expands us as individuals and brings us together as a community. Creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment is very important to us. Our teams love to have fun, and it shows in our approach to teaching. Getting people to laugh and have fun while learning is the best!”

Erin Sullivan

Owner & Creative Director of Center Stage Studios

Describe your role and work that you do.

“I am a solo arts entrepreneur of my boutique performing arts studio. I coach ages seven years-plus in whatever focus of the performing arts the student desires – everything from audition preparation, to working on the material for a show they booked, to vocal growth, acting, dance and movement, college audition preparation, self-esteem and confidence, and helping navigate the industry as well as Wilmington’s very busy theatrical community.”

What are some of your career highlights so far? 

“I have been incredibly blessed to have performed in so many remarkable shows over the course of my career. Playing Amber Von Tussle in the Broadway national tour of Hairspray was a highlight! In 2015, I was cast to portray Marilyn Monroe in a new play written and directed by Tony Award-winning playwright Mark Medoff. … I then fell into the hands of a group of NYC producers who encouraged me to pen and star in my own one-woman show about Marilyn that I performed around the country. The crowning moment was when I was brought home to perform on the main stage of our exquisite Thalian Hall – the stage I had grown up on, in my hometown. Being back in Wilmington, getting to perform locally, every show I am cast in, is a gift.”

Lilli Summers

Lead Instructor, Shoot Like a Girl

Describe your role and work that you do. 

“In my everyday life, I am a photo-videographer and storyteller, but during the summer, I have the privilege of leading the Shoot Like a Girl program where we teach high school girls how to be filmmakers. We offer the tools and guidance for directing and camera that provide them the confidence and knowledge to produce professional music videos for female-fronted bands. I teach girls how to listen to their intuition, trust one another, and execute their vision with professionalism and enthusiasm.”

What themes/issues are most important in your work? 

“Women are the through line for all my work. I am a mere reflection of all the women who raised me, who taught me, and who inspired me; therefore, their stories and issues are the focal point of everything I contribute.”

Anything else you want us to know about you?

“As of July, we’re editing our SLG music videos to premiere at the Wilmington Underground Film Festival in October. I’m in pre-production for my first feature film, and we’re already prepping for Shoot Like a Girl 2027! Aside from the future goal posts, I’m most excited to learn and listen; every day is a new opportunity to ask someone a question. When we listen, we understand.”

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

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