Franklinton Arts District Board Members

Franklinton Arts District Employees

Travis Hoewischer | FAD Executive Director
Travis Hoewischer is a writer, artist, performer, and non-profit leader who brings more than two decades of media, arts organization, and community engagement to FAD. In addition to years of collaboration within the District, he previously covered the arts as Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning (614) Magazine, spearheaded the rebrand of arts empowerment non-profit We Amplify Voices (WAV), and most recently served as Director of Development for Franklinton’s Gladden Community House, creating new revenue streams, sustainable partnerships, and inventive programming for both organizations.
Adaptive and collaborative, Travis is passionate about storytelling and relationship-building and believes in creating mutually impactful opportunities for organizations and communities.

Liz Kirkpatrick | FAD Creative Placemaking Director
Liz Kirkpatrick is a dedicated arts and community advocate with a dual degree in Arts Management and City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University, specializing in arts and cultural policy and creative placemaking. With over seven years of experience in the Central Ohio arts community, Liz has honed her expertise in organizing large-scale events, including the renowned Dublin Irish Festival during her tenure with the City of Dublin. As a former member of the development team for the North American-based non-profit Strong Towns, Liz has a strong foundation in community-oriented planning.

Passionate about fostering a welcoming environment for creatives and stakeholders, Liz is committed to enhancing community-focused placemaking that elevates the voices of those who call Franklinton home. Through her work, she aims to cultivate organic dialogues that strengthen the artistic fabric of the neighborhood.

Heidi Clifford/Primary Child | FAD Marketing Coordinator
Heidi Clifford, a.k.a Primary Child, is a muralist, installation artist, and designer, with a background in marketing and graphic design. She's known around Columbus as Primary Child, covering walls with color, balancing play within art-making, and connecting communities with meaningful public art. She has run her mural studio in Franklinton for the last 4 years, and has lived in Franklinton for the last year. Heidi loves the community and neighborhood here, and as FAD's Marketing Coordinator she appreciates the opportunity to advocate for artists and opportunities locally.

2024 Board of Trustees

The Franklinton Arts District (FAD) Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of the organization. Board members are responsible for executing all aspects of the organization's events, arts programming/education, and other initiatives. FAD is a 501(c)(3) organization and the members of the Board of Trustees are not compensated for their contributions.

Sophie Hess, President | Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus (Franklinton Resident)

Sophie Hess has been involved in the Franklinton Arts District for almost 10 years. She is an accomplished professional in the energy industry. As an engineer with Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus, where she oversees the delivery of innovative and effective solutions to clients in the oil and gas, nuclear, and energy sector. She is known for her ability to develop and implement successful programs that enhance safety and reliability.

Sophie is an active member of the Franklinton community, where she resides with her family. She and her familiar were the recipient of the 2023 Michael B Coleman Award.

Dean Monnin, Secretary | Jones Lang LaSalle
Dean Monnin is a project manager and regional market leader for Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a global real estate consulting firm. Dean’s passion for the arts was sparked while attending the University of Cincinnati College of Design Art Architecture & Planning (DAAP) and continued to grow while working as an interior designer in Washington, D.C. Eventually, his passion found a home 19 years ago when he moved to Columbus and discovered a vibrant arts community. He has previously been involved with FAD as a volunteer for Scrawl 15 & 16 and has supported other non-profit organizations through volunteering. When not at work or enjoying the city, you can find him rowing on the Scioto River with the Greater Columbus Rowing Association.

Blake Compton, Vice President | Compton Construction, LLC

Blake is the founder of Compton Construction a construction company who has worked on local Franklinton Projects like Glass Axis, Land Grant Brewing Co, Idea Foundry, Roosevelt and Taft’s to name a few. Blake has been involved in the Franklinton Arts community since 2013 shortly after a magical dragon boat race where he met Jim Sweeney and many others who have shaped the neighborhood to what it is today. He recently opened a pop-up art gallery (project unicorn pop up) and previously had a video game club known as Close Quarters. Blake is actively involved in the neighborhood helping revitalize and save some historic houses on Walnut Street. Blake previously supported Wild Goose Creative in moving down to Franklinton through a decade-long effort as the advisory board chair.

Blake’s passion for joining the board is to help bring in a positive energy to connect all the stakeholders in the neighborhood and lift the area up through promoting the creative and working class and connecting their talents with the builders of the neighborhood.

Board Members

Erin Gibbons | Franklin County Board of Elections (Franklinton Resident)
Erin Gibbons is a fourth generation Franklinton resident with a passion for improving her community through art, volunteerism, and public service. Erin currently serves as the Executive Manager of the Franklin County Board of Elections and previously served as the Director of Community Engagement for Columbus City Council. Erin spends her free time walking her dog, Rosie, and volunteering for events, such as Urban Scrawl, Franklinton Litter League, and is a patron of the arts in Franklinton.

Aly Moore | Good Land Brand
A Columbus native and proud business operator in Franklinton, Aly Moore is a passionate advocate for the local arts community and small businesses. With a BFA from The Ohio State University, she has cultivated a vibrant career centered around community engagement, creative collaboration, and empowering artists and entrepreneurs. As a Franklinton community partner, Aly sees the arts district as essential to the area’s vitality and is dedicated to enhancing this unique neighborhood. She runs the Good Market, a Franklinton Friday vendor market, where artists and small businesses alike find a platform to shine. Aly’s vision is rooted in listening and supporting the artists and businesses within Franklinton, strengthening the Franklinton Arts District’s mission to foster a more connected, colorful, and thriving community

Michael Amerine | Heartland Bank
Mike Amerine has been active personally, professionally and creatively in the Franklinton neighborhood for the better part of the decade. As a commercial loan officer with Heartland Bank, he has helped support small business growth, the lifeblood of any vibrant community. To that end, Mike also serves as the president of the Franklinton Board of Trade. Mike first got to know the Franklinton area by DJing and providing music production support for the Franklinton Arts District's Scrawl. Since that time, he has been passionate about ensuring that the arts and artists remain a cornerstone and driving force in the neighborhood's development.

Jason Moore | Board Member
Info coming soon!

Andrew Lundberg| Lundberg Industrial Arts
Info coming soon!

Mary Sundermeier | Equity
A creative thinker who loves seeking solutions using communication and marketing technology, Mary brings the perspective of the Gravity Brand to the FAD Board. With an enthusiasm for turning ideas into reality, Mary will guide the board on event planning and connecting the District with new residents in the area.