Phoebe Legere is a visionary artist, composer, and educator who has devoted over 20 years of unpaid service to founding and leading a team of volunteers that provides free, multidisciplinary art and music education to children in low-income communities. Trained in art at Vassar College and in music at Juilliard and the New England Conservatory, Legere created the only free afterschool program of its kind in the nation, based on her original pedagogy that consistently delivers transformative results.
An internationally recognized painter and composer, Legere has conducted symphonies, been shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize in Music, and has work in major museums and collections. She invented an adaptive instrument for children with disabilities, spearheaded large-scale environmental art projects, and continues to expand access through her children’s educational show The Color Wheel.
Her collaborators and circle span icons from David Bowie to Joni Mitchell, Allen Ginsberg, and Keith Haring. Fluent in six languages and active in the Abenaki Language Recovery Movement, Legere bridges cultures, disciplines, and generations—always with the mission of making art and music free, inclusive, and life-changing. Learn more
Board of Directors (All Volunteer)
Susan Rakowski, President/CFO
Susan Rakowski is an author and educator. She is a winner of the prestigious Acker Award for service to the Avantgarde. As bass player in the Arts Action Collective MONAD, a seminal East Village artpunk band, When MONAD opened for David Bowie on his National Tour they played songs like Addictive Personality and The Freedom is here." She was a participant in MONAD street art perfomances in the East Village. Those performances grew into world changing musicals like Legere's Hello Mrs. President about the first female president and Queen of New England, about the Native American Holocaust. Susan Rakowski is Foundation for New American Art's Comrade in Arms, working, teaching, dreaming and doing. and As VP, CFO and writer for the Foundation for New American Art Susan Rakowski continues her tireless work on a global scale. Susan Rakowski worked with American Assistance to Cambodia to build a sustainable school /community center and garden in Stung Treng. She is the author of a series of books empowering young women. Her articles have appeared on the pages of the Wall Street Journal, The Advocate, and the New York Post. Her groundbreaking article grief appeared in the Advocate. Grief. Sue Rakowski's "Suetastic" series of books have changed the lives of thousands of grieving people. She is widely syndicated. Ms.Rakowski is the former Editor in Chief of Small Business Opportunities. A long time philanthropist and advocate for women and children, Susan Rakowski is a graduate of New York Junior League's Nonprofit Board Clearinghouse training program, "Leadership Through Governance."
Dr. Barnaby Ruhe, Vice President
Dr Barnaby Ruhe, professor of art at Gallatin School of NYU, dancer, founder of Whitney Counterweight Museum Scaled Art Exhibitions in NYC, World Champion six times Boomerangist, healer, author, painter, advocate for women and children.
Urszula Abolik, Secretary
Urszula Abolik is an artist and community organizer. She has over twenty years experience as a teacher in the Pennsylvania public schools. She speaks Spanish, Polish and English. A scholar of Latin Culture and Dance, Abolik leads cultural tours of South American countries. She is a DJ and Dance Instructor in Latin American dance styles.
Our Staff
Lytza R. Colon, Set Design, Costumes
Lytza is a "Super Creative" from the South Bronx. Lytza is Latina, a person with disabilities, and a proud grandmother. Lytza has made sets on Broadway and Off-Broadway. Lytza assists with design, props, costumes, language translation. She has worked as prop and set designer for Foundation for New American Art for over a decade. She made the costumes and set for FNAA’s The Color Wheel - our Pandemic Streaming children’s educational show.
Brian Park, Sound Engineer, Lighting Designer
Brian is perhaps best known as the host of his own podcast, "Feeling Asian." Brian hails from Korea and lives in the East Village. In addition to his technical work, managing lights and sound, Brian brings his acting and comedic skills to "The Color Wheel" playing the part of "Mr. Kitty." Brian is always cheerfully available for our in-person shows and classes as well. He will be doing sound and lights for our Festival de la Posibilidad concert July 16.
Terry Lee King, Choreographer, Dance Instructor
Terry is an African-American Lower East Side legend. He is the beloved Dance Teacher for the children of the FNAA. Terry is a Performing Arts Professional. He is a proud LGBTQ Army Veteran who received an Honorable Discharge. Terry serves as Dance Instructor and mentor to students, supporting their artistic interests and dreams. Terry participates in "The Color Wheel" program, assists as an aide in our After-School Program and with the Lower East Side Children's Chorus, teaching movement, rhythm and choreography.
Haoyan of America, Director, Editor, Cameraman, Website Design
Haoyan is the brilliant director/cameraman for "The Color Wheel" He contributes his skills to our online learning sessions. His editing skills and technical knowledge help shape our programs into professional presentations worthy of our audiences. Haoyan was born in China and now lives in Brooklyn. He helps with language translation to expand our reach to the Asian community.
We educate, strengthen and nurture the artistic & musical spirit of children of low-income communities!
THE COLOR WHEEL SHOW: Phoebe Legere is Host "Bambi Bernstein"" (a small furry animal) with Puppeteer, & Set Builder Lytza R. Colon
