Oakwood Arts

Shannon Castleman
Founder and Executive Director

Shannon is an artist/photographer, educator, gardener, and mother. Was an adjunct professor at VCU in the Department of Photography and Film from 2012- 2019. From 2006 to 2013 she served as an assistant professor of Photography and Digital Imaging at the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. From 2004 to 2006 she taught photography at Dar Al Hekma College, a women’s college in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 2013 and 2016 she was visiting faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies at San Francisco Art Institute, leading classes to Vietnam and Cuba. 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 who has a passion for advocating for marginalized peoples. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Photo/Film from VCUarts, her concentration being film. Outside of her degree, Jasmine’s work extends to an eclectic range of mediums including: photography, soundscape development, paint, sculpture, writing, and craft studies. Jasmine’s love for film and video production derive from the ability to blend a range of art forms into one. In addition to her own practice, Jasmine enjoys volunteering within the local community and hopes to become a Director of Photography and educator as she gains more experience in the film industry. 

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

Alliannah Hamilton

Lead Mentor & Equipment Manager

Alliannah unearthed her passion for art at a young age, initially expressing it through poetry and photography. Driven by this passion, she pursued her dreams in higher education, culminating in the attainment of her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Printmaking and Photo Media, with a minor in Film & Video Studies. Following college, she embarked on a fulfilling path as a full-time, multi-disciplinary artist. Her overarching mission is to impart to the world the transformative power of art and expression in overcoming mental barriers and social disorders, much like how she did herself.

CONTACT

Address: 3511 P Street, Richmond, VA 23223

Email: info@oakwoodarts.org