Meet the 2024-25 AZ Youth Arts Council

Lily Charley
Kayenta

Hello, My name is Lily Charley or Lennox. I enjoy drawing and animating. But I’m known for playing in MVHS advance guitar class and playing other string instruments. Such as the guitar, ukulele, and the banjo.

Sallie Choi
Globe

My name is Sallie Choi and I’m a sophomore in high school. Between playing bass, musical theater, and writing, the arts have always been significant in my life. Outside of reading Frank O’Hara and journaling, I like to perform bass at open mics and craft with my friends. I’ve also been learning how to produce music and play the drums on the side. I’ve been helping run creative workshops out on the Reservation and at local schools for a few years now, motivated by the goal of spreading an interest in art. This has led me to the AZ Youth Arts Council, so I’m looking forward to making a difference in my community–and state–through the arts.

Ashton Dolce
Phoenix

“My name is Ashton, and I am a 12th-grade student attending BASIS Scottsdale. My interest in art stems from creating murals in my school and creating action art to support the Phoenix youth climate movement. I serve on the board of my school’s National Art Honor Society where I helped start the first three mural projects bringing color and creativity to once bare walls. In my free time, I enjoy creative pursuits like painting and printmaking. I also love to bake tarts, croissants, and other chocolate bakes.

Robyn Foley
Tempe

My name is Robyn Foley and I am a freshman at Arizona School for the Arts. I am a multidisciplinary performing artist. I am a percussionist in my school’s band and percussion ensemble, a choral singer who has participated in both regional and national ACDA honor choirs, a performer at various local youth theaters, and dancer at Ballet Theatre of Phoenix. Performing arts bring me so much joy, and as a council member, I hope to share that joy with other young people in Arizona.

Archana Gurudu
Phoenix

My name is Archana Gurudu, a junior at Paradise Valley High School. As a visual artist, I enjoy using oil, acrylic, and drawing media to achieve a loose realistic style in my work. Engaging with art organizations across Phoenix has given me the opportunity to recognize the valuable intersection between the arts and the development, resilience, and self-expression of youth. I look forward to advocating for equal access to the arts and learning from the diverse perspectives of our council members this year!

Shea Lee
Chandler

My name is Shea Lee, and I am a senior at BASIS Chandler. My passions include using music to connect with different populations, such as youth with disabilities and employing visual arts as a way of educating the community on health issues. Art and music have always influenced my life by teaching me not only how to interact with others but also how to lead and connect with those who share similar passions as me. My goal is to educate young people on how to express themselves through the arts and use their talents to advocate for and give back to their communities. I am excited to serve on the AZ Youth Arts Council this year and continue making a positive impact in our community!

Carlos Madrid
Tucson

Hi my name is Carlos Madrid, I’m a senior at University High School in Tucson, Arizona. For me art has always been a big part of my life from dance, to music, to artwork. I have a passion for learning about different cultures artworks, and traditions. I have aspirations of eventually becoming a museum curator focusing on Latin American Artwork. I’m so excited to represent my community of Southern Arizona on the Youth Arts Council.

Adam Michelson
Kingman

I am an onstage performer with years of experience in acting, singing, dancing, and improvisation. I have been in dozens of plays and other productions from the local Beale Street Theater community, so I am knowledgeable about how to organize and execute a community play.

Savannah Molenar
Yuma

Hi! My name is Savannah Molenar! I am 17 years old and a senior in high school. I am the Student Body President, the National Honors Society Vice President, and a member of the Veterans Heritage Club. My whole life I have grown up surrounded by artists and creative people, and I have a deep passion for the arts. Specifically, I enjoy working with ceramics and textile arts. I am excited to represent Yuma and to make a difference in the Arizona Youth Arts Council!

Dahlin Mungkieatskul
Ajo

Hi, my name is Dahlin. Currently, I am in GED and I just turned 18! I dabbled in drawing when I was younger and love writing poetry, but what I am pursuing the most is jewelry making and pottery. I learned metalsmithing in a beginner’s jewelry class in 2023 at Mesa High and am studying pottery at my local studio. I am very nervous and excited to be part of the AZ Youth Arts Council. I live in a small town with fewer resources, I am working on starting my own jewelry business, and would honestly love to learn more forms of art. There is so much I want to learn not only for myself to grow as an artist, but also for the difference I hope I can create with my community and the art community.

Imani-Love Riggs
Tucson

Imani-Love Riggs is a visual artist specializing in watercolor on paper and acrylic on canvas. She is an High School student at Compass High School in Tucson, Arizona, where she practices Woodworking and Fashion Design. She enjoys baking cakes, skating, and making art. As an artist, she continues to submit work into art shows and she plans to study Real Estate as one of her future endeavors.

Ava Rios
Flagstaff

My name is Ava Rios! I’m a sophomore in high school and I love theater and the performing arts! I love to sing and act and I love to be on stage! The stage is my home and when I’m participating in a show I feel so welcome and loved. My love for the performing arts is never ending and My goal is to share that love with everyone!!

Blanca Velasco
Somerton

Hello :D! My name is Blanca. I’m 15 years old and attending Kofa high school. I am originally from Mexico but moved to Arizona some time ago. The art I do includes digital, traditional, felting, theater, and writing. I’m also very into fashion design, and sculpting. For me, art has always been a way to express and depict any thoughts or ideas in a way which is visually appealing or interesting. I, with certainty, believe that anything is art as long as it holds a genuine meaning to the artist. I am excited and looking forward to working alongside my fellow youth art council members.

Clarice Villanueva
Prescott

“My name is Clarice Villanueva and I’m a senior at Prescott High School. A couple of years ago I requested a set of watercolors on a whim thinking it might be fun to give it a whirl. I instantly fell in love with the medium and I continue to explore and grow in my discovery of art, not just in watercolor, but in all my artistic endeavors. I make an effort to experiment with natural light and my goal is to instill a sense of life and soul into every piece I create. My community has given me many opportunities and shown a lot of support in my artistic journey and I would love to return the favor. I look forward to helping promote art engagement in Arizona with the AZ Youth Arts Council.

Keeshaun Young
Phoenix

As a hopeful contributor to my community, I envision making significant impacts on those around me. I believe the world can improve, and I’m determined to advocate for that progress. Art, in its beauty, serves as a powerful means of expression and a catalyst for change.