Festival Committee

Katie Ross

Festival Coordinator

Katie brings all the moving pieces of BSAF together—from artists and performers to volunteers, sponsors, and community partners—with one goal: creating a place where Bloomington can connect through creativity.

A former art teacher and owner of The Arts Creative, Katie creates community art experiences throughout the Twin Cities. She loves gardening, growing food, dreaming up public art experiences, and bringing her HOT ART Bus to life. She believes everyone has a place in the creative process—and her festival advice is simple: Do your part. Buy some art!

Stephanie Fingerson

Committee Admin

Stephanie helps keep the behind-the-scenes details of the festival organized, from coordinating meetings to helping everything run smoothly on festival day. You’ll find her at the information table, pointing people in the right direction—or jumping in wherever she’s needed.

A bioinformatics scientist by day and creator by night, Stephanie loves learning, experimenting with new art mediums, traveling, spending time with friends, and, of course, her cats. She’s especially excited to see the fashion show and youth artists—and believes you never know what your next creative passion might be until you try it!

Sami Hernandez

Community Partnerships Chair

Sami brings Bloomington businesses, organizations, and artists together to help make the festival bigger, stronger, and more connected. She’s also the founder of FITSO Plus Size, creating thoughtful apparel and accessories for plus-size humans.

A puzzle-lover and collector of cozy hobbies, Sami believes in community showing up for community. Her festival wish? Artists selling out, neighbors sticking around, businesses making real connections, and everyone leaving feeling like they were part of something special.

Adrian Lowe

Fashion Installation Coordinator

Adrian is helping bring fashion into the festival in a whole new way, developing the Fashion Showcase and the hands-on creative workshops that follow it.

A digital and fine artist who also designs clothing, Adrian loves exploring creativity across mediums and hopes the festival inspires others to do the same. They’re especially excited to meet new people, lead the fashion workshops, and—of course—spend some time at the HOT Art Bus!

Leslie Ritenour

Social Media Marketing Volunteer

Leslie brings BSAF to life online, creating the content that introduces our artists, shares festival happenings, and gets the community excited for the big day.

Known online as @BabyBeanLettuce (or perhaps as the artist with the bright yellow hair!), Leslie is a Minnesota-based digital and traditional artist and projection designer with a love for colorful, quirky, whimsical work. When they’re not creating for BSAF, you can find their projections lighting up local theatrical stages. Their festival advice? Explore every artist—you never know where you’ll find a hidden gem!

Megan Thorpe

Youth Tent Organizer

Megan is launching the festival’s very first Youth Artist Tent, helping young artists prepare for their first art fair—from pricing and marketing their work to confidently talking about what they create.

When she’s not cheering on young creatives, Megan loves supporting local restaurants, being outside, reading endlessly, and dabbling in creativity herself. She’s most excited to see artists and neighbors of all ages come together—and especially to watch our youngest artists proudly share their work with Bloomington.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse