OUR TEAM
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York is backed by a dedicated professional staff whose work in the day-to-day operations ensures the organization is meeting its mission with efficiency and integrity.
Joshua Vink
Executive Director
A resident of Potsdam, Vink was a faculty member in The Department of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Potsdam, where he taught classes in Arts Management and Theatre, and helped to create the college’s Bachelor of Arts Management program. Previously, he taught at Bates College and was the Executive Director of a local arts agency in Lewiston/Auburn, Maine. Joshua began his career in New York City where he worked for fifteen years as an arts administrator, educator, and artist. As founding director of education at People’s Theatre Project in New York City, he brought project-based initiatives in multiple artistic disciplines to schools, community centers, and the public, serving predominantly low income and immigrant communities. As a teaching artist and professional development facilitator for the Lincoln Center Institute and The Dreamyard Project, he trained teachers and taught students at a diverse array of colleges and public schools. As a theatre artist, he has worked Off-Broadway, regionally and in independent film. He holds an MFA in Classical Acting from The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting, and bachelor’s degrees in English and Theatre from The State University of New York at Buffalo.
Susan Rice
Bookkeeper
“I came to St. Lawrence County in the 70s from the Adirondacks for school and never left. I’ve had a varied career path, which has included retail management, social services casework, advertising, sales, real estate, and healthcare – mixed in with many hours spent volunteering in various community roles and raising two kids. The arts, education, culture, and the power of language have always been the central core of my life’s mission. I hope to contribute to TAUNY by helping promote the stunning quality of work that the artists bring to our community. I believe TAUNY is a representation of our region’s tenacity, resilience, and creativity.”
environmental and informal learning experiences from painting to distance hiking and recently knitting.
Emily Gilligan
Development & Project Associate
Emily, originally from Northern New Jersey, has spent the last three years in the North Country pursuing her undergraduate degree. As an upcoming graduate from SUNY Potsdam, Emily will hold a BA in Theatre and Arts Management with an Educational Studies Minor. From a very young age, Emily has always been driven to work alongside artists, finding many of her interests fitting into the arts. She enjoys finding creative ways to tell stories and uplift different voices, oftentimes using theater as her main outlet. Previously, Emily held many positions on the SUNY Potsdam campus – working at the IT Service Desk as a Student Technician, being a Resident Assistant for Residence Life, as well as working alongside her department as the Director of Educational Community Outreach, all positions where she was able to enhance her connection and understanding of the differences that make up the community around her. In addition, Emily worked as the Theater Education Intern at The Naples Players, in Naples, Florida, where her focus was to assist in providing theater access to the youth in Naples while also working as a teaching artist. Emily has been an intern at TAUNY for the last year, and can’t wait to transition her knowledge and experience into this position. Emily is beyond fortunate to now call the North Country her permanent home.
Virginia Burnett
Folkstore Associate
Ginny joined TAUNY in 2023. Virginia has always been “irresistibly drawn to textiles and to things that sparkle.” As a young girl, she developed an appreciation of handcrafts from watching both of her grandmothers create a variety of beautiful textile art. She took weaving as an independent study in her senior year in college, but ultimately became fascinated with beadwork. Beadwork led to silk dying, and then to Shibori, quilting, embroidery, felting, crocheting and yarn dyeing. The TAUNY Folkstore’s collection of Virginia’s work represents both her textile art and bead jewelry. Her “Garden Companion” necklace won first place in Interweave’s Bead Embroidery category for 2023.
Debbie Courtney
Folkstore Associate
Debbie joined TAUNY in 2016. Debbie and her husband live outside the Village of Canton with their 4 rescue critters. Debbie retired from St. Lawrence County after 33 years of employment. They enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, gardening and boating on the St. Lawrence River. If they are outdoors, they are happy.
Kathy Flanagan
Folkstore Associate
Kathy works closely with Debbie to keep the Folkstore running smoothly. Kathy is a Canton native, as is her husband Jack. They have two sons: Sean and Kyle. Kathy worked for Kinney Drugs for 35 years before coming to TAUNY. She enjoys camping and spending time with her extended family.