Oakwood Arts

Shannon Castleman
Founder and Executive Director

Shannon is an artist,/photographer, and educator with an extensive international teaching and exhibition history. Since 2012, she has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Photography and Film at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). From 2006 to 2013, she was an assistant professor of Photography and Digital Imaging at Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design, and Media in Singapore, where she was a founding faculty member of Southeast Asia’s first BFA program, co-created the Photography & Digital Imaging curriculum, and designed the 4-D foundations curriculum. Prior to that, she taught photography at Dar Al Hekma College, a women’s college in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 2004 to 2006. She also served as visiting faculty in Interdisciplinary Studies at the San Francisco Art Institute, leading courses in Vietnam (2013) and Cuba (2016). Her photography has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States, Asia, and Europe. A native Richmonder who spent nearly a decade helping to develop art communities abroad, Shannon brings a unique perspective and contagious enthusiasm to Oakwood Arts.

Jon Cope
Creative Arts & Culture Coordinator

Jonathan Copeland (Jon Cope) is a Multi-hyphenate Fashion Stylist, Creative Director, actor and host based in Richmond, VA. Copeland has over 10 years of experience in fashion retail, visual merchandising, blogging, magazine publication, public speaking, fashion event planning and hosting. Copeland has recently established a media company, In My Fashion Media (IMF MEDIA), geared towards social impact for BIPOC, Queer, and marginalized businesses by creating uniquely heart-felt and resonating content that engages audiences towards inspired action to support businesses that aspire to contribute to social equality and wellbeing. He is also a youth educator, community organizer, and certified yoga instructor.

Jasmine Elmore
OA JET Program Coordinator

Jasmine joined the OAJet program in October of 2021 and has continued working with Oakwood Arts as a mentor following her graduation. In May of 2022, she officially began working with Oakwood as a Production Coordinator and OAJet Program Coordinator. Jasmine is a multimedia installation artist, filmmaker, and curator. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Photo/Film from VCUarts, her concentration being film. Since graduating, she has worked on several shows in the camera department, including on a major Apple TV+ productions, and in the props department on a NBC Universal production.

Ramsay Tapp
Operations Manager

Ramsay is a Richmond native, jewelry designer mother and lover of the arts. She has earned an Associate's of Science in Information Technology, has over 20 years administrative experience in fields from mortgage to healthcare and medical coding. Ramsay has a dedication to quality and a genuine positive attitude that she brings to our team along with a shared belief in the vision of Oakwood Arts

CONTACT

Address: 3511 P Street, Richmond, VA 23223

Email: info@oakwoodarts.org