We host a series of brief lectures by York, PA's makers and doers, who talk about their craft. Our speakers come from varied backgrounds, but they all work systematically and intentionally to create visceral experiences.
PechaKucha Night York utilizes the 20x20 PechaKucha presentation format: 20 slides that automatically advance every 20 seconds. Learn more at PechaKucha.org.
Featured Speakers AT November 9, 2023 PK NIght Event
Our twenty-first event featured six presenters talking about their respective crafts. The event was hosted at the John D. Bare Center at Guthrie Memorial Library in Hanover.
Matthew Jackson
The Art and Courage of Servant Collaboration
Through trial-and-error learning and pivoting on a host of challenging projects (and letting go of ego!), Matthew Jackson has tapped into an effective working pattern to get teams to the finish line: authentic joy in serving diverse peoples and building Beloved Community; bold, good faith visioning; solid, mission-driven partnerships; and relentless advocacy and doggedness.
Communications, policy, grant, and strategic planning consultant; editor and essayist; published historian and poet; public-private partnership specialist; community mobilizer and human rights advocate and activist, Matthew is the chief editor of Main Street Hanover’s award-winning Heart of Hanover Trails (2022) and York’s award-winning Downtown Action Plan (2007). A catalyst for WitnessingYork.com, Matt’s also a co-founder and editor of the growing social media group, THE VALLEY: Building Community and People Power in the Susquehanna Valley.
Rissa Miller
Chiaroscurist
In all of us, there is bright and dark. The idea of chiaroscuro comes from the study of light in painting. Basically, the concept means that shadows define the light. In a world where most people turn from the shadows, Rissa learned to embrace them both in life and in art. Understanding the shadow is a critical part of existing and living a creative life. To find her way between worlds, Rissa's work has long walked the line. She equally embraces sunshine and flowers, ghosts and graveyards. In fact, all four could certainly exist at once in her writing and art.
Rissa Miller is an editor, author, herbalist, seer, artist, and storyteller. She believes the most enduring stories teach us not only about humanity's past, but also give reason to reflect on our own present beliefs and realities. Rissa grew up in York, PA and has lived in several East Coast states, working in fields of journalism, commercial photography, literature, and history. Wandering in the woods, drinking hot tea, and getting lost in libraries are among her favorite pastimes.
Brian Shea
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Sometimes, spur of the moment decisions end up being the best ones. Learn how Brian found joy and fulfillment in performing on stage despite not taking the plunge until he was 41 years old.
Since appearing in his first play in 2009, Brian Shea has sought out almost any chance he can to get on stage and make people laugh. He has performed and directed at Hanover Little Theatre. He also served on the HLT Board for seven years, including three as President. He began taking improv classes in 2015 and has performed in Baltimore, Frederick, State College, Lancaster, Harrisburg, New York, and an adult improv summer camp in the Poconos. He co-founded Highwire Improv in 2020 and continues to serve on their board and produce shows. Brian began teaching and coaching at Lancaster Improv Players in 2022. Earlier this year, he wrote, produced, and directed his first sketch comedy show at Dreamwrights in York. He can be found at brianjshea on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube and brianshea.org on the web.
Jeremy Slagle
Lessons Learned, Onstage and Off
Throughout his life, Jeremy has channeled his creative energy into a variety of mediums. However, it is his involvement in theatre that has brought him the most satisfaction and personal growth. From acting at a young age to transitioning to behind-the-scenes work in directing, scenic design, and painting, Jeremy has gained valuable insights into acceptance, community, loss, endurance, and self-discovery through his theatrical experience.
Jeremy Slagle, a downtown York resident and avid cheese lover, serves as Creative Director for the York County Economic Alliance. When not spending his days ‘making things happen’ for York County, by night (and whatever free time he can dig up) he’s an actor, director, and scenic designer at local theatres, as well as an artist and all-around creative guy.
Raine Dawn Valentine
Creativity is Spirituality
Raine sees art as a powerful tool, not just for gratification of self-expression, but as a vehicle of personal and collective transformation. She believes art is prayer, a sacred and vital discovery of one’s own special presence in the world. Through creation, Raine teaches that a person illuminates and illustrates their inner being, while creating something which also stands separate from themselves. Through exploration and experimentation, Raine teaches how art can help us each shine light on our inner worlds, allowing us to utilize expression as a means of healing and remembering we are all connected.
Raine Dawn Valentine is an intuitive Spiritual teacher and creative arts director who pulls from her Native American lineage to facilitate a space for all to connect with their higher selves. She has been teaching middle school art for 16 years in Baltimore County, Maryland, where she facilitates a space for her students to create, explore, experiment, question, express, and reflect. Raine is also an associate professor at Notre Dame of Maryland University, sharing methods for teaching in the secondary classroom with graduate students who will one day become art teachers. When not teaching in a school setting, Raine hosts art workshops for all from her studio in Spring Grove, PA.
FEATURED PRESENTERS AT OUR EVENT ON November 9, 2023. LEFT TO RIGHT: Brian Shea, Raine Dawn Valentine, Jeremy Slagle, Rissa Miller, Matthew Jackson.
Photo by Allison Witherow
