About RAC
Board & Staff
Riverside Arts Council is led by artists, arts administrators, community advocates, creative professionals, and board members who believe the arts are essential to thriving communities.
Leadership & Service
Artists working for artists and community
RAC’s staff leads day-to-day programs, partnerships, communications, events, and artist support across Riverside County. The Board of Directors provides governance, guidance, and community leadership that helps sustain RAC’s mission.
Together, staff, board members, interns, volunteers, teaching artists, and partners help keep arts and culture visible, accessible, and connected to the people and places RAC serves.
Staff
Meet the RAC team
Rachael Dzikonski
Rachael Dzikonski has been with Riverside Arts Council since 2008, beginning as a teaching artist before serving as Program Director for over a decade and stepping into the role of Executive Director in 2022. She holds a BA in Arts Education, an MA in Art History, Theory & Criticism, and an MFA in Media Design.
Rachael is an active multi-media artist whose work spans woodworking, photography, graphic design, and drawing, and she has exhibited throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California. She leads RAC’s strategic direction, program development, and regional partnerships, with a focus on expanding access to the arts and strengthening the creative community.
Magnolia Mills
Magnolia Mills has been involved with Riverside Arts Council since 2016, first as a volunteer and later joining staff in 2022. She serves as Program Director, overseeing coordination and implementation of RAC programs including Artswalk, Arts Education, Arts & Healing, and major community events.
Magnolia is a multi-media artist whose creative practice informs her approach to program development and artist engagement. She works closely with teaching artists, partners, and event staff to ensure programs are accessible, well-executed, and responsive to community needs.
Fernando Blanco
Fernando Blanco joined Riverside Arts Council in 2022 and serves as Creative Director, leading RAC’s marketing, branding, and visual communications. He plays a key role in shaping RAC’s public presence and expanding its reach through digital platforms and promotional strategies.
Fernando’s background as a multi-media visual artist informs his creative direction, helping connect artists, organizations, and audiences through clear and engaging content.
Amber Schmeltz
Amber Schmeltz serves as Office Manager and Bookkeeper for Riverside Arts Council, overseeing administrative operations and financial recordkeeping that support the organization’s programs, events, and day-to-day activities. Her attention to detail and organizational skills help ensure RAC operates efficiently while supporting artists, partners, and the community.
Amber enjoys being part of an organization that strengthens the arts throughout Riverside County and values the opportunity to contribute behind the scenes to programs that make a lasting community impact.
Eloa Anmari Noa
Eloa Anmari Noa supports engagement with artists, organizations, and community partners across the region. In this role, she assists with program outreach, communications, and coordination of opportunities that connect the public to arts and cultural programming.
Eloa is a longtime artist with a passion for acrylic painting, watercolor, and epoxy resin art, and previously participated in Riverside Artswalk as a vendor. Through her work, she enjoys supporting and connecting with artists while helping foster creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
Creative Workforce
Creative Workforce Fellowship
RAC’s Creative Workforce Fellowship provides emerging creatives with hands-on paid experience in graphic design, marketing, digital storytelling, communications, and arts administration. Fellows support RAC’s communications and outreach efforts while gaining practical skills and professional experience.
Participants are recruited in partnership with local colleges and universities, with a focus on Riverside County students.
Board of Directors
Community leadership supporting RAC’s mission
RAC’s Board of Directors provides governance, oversight, and community leadership in support of the organization’s mission, programs, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
Gregory Cuellar
Owner, Paint Party Professionals
Year joined: 2024Peggy Roa
General Manager, Menagerie
Year joined: 2024Orlando Torres
Owner, Orlando Torres Torregrosa, CPA
Year joined: 2026Jessica Walls
Deputy District Attorney, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office
Year joined: 2024Dwight Tate
Retired Financial Advisor
Year joined: 2005Janice Penner
Executive Director, Riverside Downtown Partnership
Year joined: 2022Shawn Benjamin
Attorney at Law, Public Defender’s Office
Year joined: 2025Celia Cudaimat
Retired Nonprofit & Philanthropic Leader, Inland Empire Community Foundation
Year joined: 2026Marlene Flowers
Retired Art Educator
Year joined: 2022Denise Kraemer
Professor Emeritus / Artist, CSU San Bernardino
Year joined: 2023Carrie Miller
CPA, CFO, Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County
Year joined: 2005Marissa Peterson
Vice President, Business Banker, Icon Business Bank
Year joined: 2025Kaitlin Reierson
Director of Marketing & Communications, City of Riverside
Year joined: 2025Work With RAC
Help strengthen the arts across Riverside County
RAC’s work is strengthened by board members, staff, interns, volunteers, teaching artists, sponsors, partners, and community members who believe in the power of the arts to connect people and places.
Learn about RAC’s mission, history, values, and role in the region.
02 ImpactSee how RAC supports artists, programs, partnerships, and community access.
03 ProgramsExplore RAC programs across arts education, public art, events, healing, and creative careers.
04 ContactConnect with RAC about programs, partnerships, board service, and opportunities.