DAC Team
Julia Tomtania
President
Julia Tomtania is a wife and mother of four great kids. She leads her local church worship team and has a BA in Art, with an emphasis on Art History. She has held the role as a commissioner, vice chair and chairperson on the City of Dublin, Heritage and Cultural Arts Board since 2021. The limits are endless with her mediums which have included canvas, wood, cardboard, graphic designs and various objects with paint that best emulate the emotions of her work. She credits her love of learning for her seamless ability to take on new challenges, allowing her to grasp and adapt to the shifts that accompany her various roles and responsibilities.
A. Kelly Paschal-Hunter
Vice President
Kelly is currently the Chief Curator for Fruition Consulting. She has 25 years of contemporary art curation experience, representing visual artists and producing art exhibitions internationally. She excels in business development, particularly in arts, entertainment, and social impact conferences. Her energy and expertise make her a great leader in our organization.
Ken Nakamura
Treasurer
Ken is currently a Financial Service Representative III with KeyPoint Credit Union and has been with the company for over 15 years. He is passionate about helping his community, regularly engaging with individuals to improve their financial well-being. As our Treasurer, Ken's dedication and expertise greatly benefit our organization.
Ranjini Venkatachari
Secretary
Ranjini is a fine artist specializing in colored pencils for over 18 years, drawing inspiration from her rich cultural heritage. She completed her Still-life Atelier Training at Gage Academy of Art in WA and works out of her home studio in San Ramon, CA. Ranjini teaches colored pencil classes locally and across the US. She is a juried member of the International Guild of Realism, American Women Artists, and NAWA. As Chair for the San Ramon City Arts Advisory Committee and Secretary of the DAC, she is deeply involved in her community. Her extensive experience and commitment to both art and community engagement make her a valuable member of our team.
Sawsan Wolski
Community Liaison & Philanthropy Advisor
Sawsan is one of the three Dublin Arts Collective founders and the owner of The Frame Company and Art Gallery in Dublin. In the gallery, you will find local fine art on display, including paintings, drawings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and other fine arts. Many know her as a businesswoman but not as an accomplished artist. She graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Institute of Art, Baghdad, with degrees in painting, drawing, animation, and design. Currently, she serves on the Alameda Art Commission to represent District 1 in Alameda County. She belongs to and supports many organizations that focus on women's social and economic empowerment both locally and globally.
Sara Arasteh
Lead of Technical and Analytics
Sara is a computer engineer, artist, and art lover who, despite working in the tech industry, never stopped exploring and mastering new artistic techniques. She loves to tell stories through her artwork, which often features a surreal theme to bridge fantasy and realism, creating a vibrant world filled with colors and emotions. She joined DAC as the Lead of Technical and Analytics, aiming to merge her technical knowledge with her love for art. Her goal is to create a user-friendly platform that brings artists and art lovers in our community together, fostering the growth of both individual artists and the artistic community as a whole.
Gina Gabriell
Programs Advisor
Gina Gabriell is an artist, author, and illustrator who tells stories through a diverse range of mediums. Her creations translate thoughts and questions into tangible art forms, reinvent and connect through paint. She studied sculpture at the California College of Art. For the past years, Gina has been crafting props for film and television that are collected all over the world. Her multidisciplinary approach to storytelling and experience in visual arts make her a valuable addition to our team as a program adviser, bringing a unique perspective and creative expertise.
Buffy Davis
Circuit Show & Scary Art Show Co-Chair
Buffy was raised in Dublin when there were more fields than houses. She worked for the Dublin Unified School District for more than 15 years in special education before retiring in 2019 to pursue a degree in photography. Her work has won various national awards and recognition. Buffy has a love of the many alternative photographic processes, from the historic process of Cyanotype from 1842, intentional camera movement photography, and deconstruction photography. She is excited to take on the role of DAC Art Circuit Co-Chair and Scary Art Show Chair!
Mike D’Amelio
Scary Art Show Co-Chair, Website advisor
Mike D’Amelio, driven by a lifelong passion for art, views it as a powerful means of storytelling. Drawing from personal experiences, he invites audiences into his complex world, allowing them to make their own connections. While studying Fine Arts at SUNY Purchase College, D’Amelio gravitated towards abstract expressionism and neo-dadaism, exploring various mediums to find his artistic voice. Post-college, he balanced a successful career in Design while continuing to experiment with his art. Inspired by his daughter’s innocence and freedom on a canvas, his artwork truly found its voice. He is Co-Chair to the Scary Art Show and helps with web design.