Staff & Consultants

Suzanne Sbarge, Founder/Executive Director of 516 ARTS

Suzanne Sbarge launched 516 ARTS in 2006 in partnership with the McCune Foundation. She focuses on contemporary art and interdisciplinary projects in an educational context and with an emphasis on collaboration. She previously directed Magnifico Arts, Inc. and the Harwood Art Center in Albquerque. She holds a BA in Art History and Studio Arts from Barnard College and an MA in Art Education from UNM. As a visual artist herself, she has brought her own particular creativity and passion for the arts to her leadership work in New Mexico for nearly three decades. She was born and raised in Connecticut and has lived in Albuquerque since 1989.

suzanne@516arts.org

April Chalay, Deputy Director

April Chalay is an accomplished arts nonprofit leader, artist, and experienced director in the nonprofit sector. She received a BFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2006, where she developed a strong foundation in interdisciplinary fine art disciplines and conceptual development. She also has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from The ILR School at Cornell University, eCornell. She served as the Director of Operations at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center and as Deputy Director at the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe before joining the staff of 516 ARTS as Finance and Grants Manager and moving into the role of Deputy Director in 2023. She has lived in New Mexico since 2013.

april@516arts.org

Rachelle B. Pablo (Diné), Curator

Rachelle B. Pablo is an enrolled member of the Diné Nation and is of Red Running into the Water Clan, born for the Water Flows Together Clan. Her duties encompass curating exhibitions, assisting in developing programs for the downtown contemporary art museum, and working with community and regional partnerships. Born in Gallup, New Mexico, Pablo is a veteran of the US Armed Services and holds an MA in Art History from the University of Delaware, a BFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Studio Arts with a minor in Museum Studies, and Certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship; and an Associates of Arts in Anthropology and Liberal Arts from Central New Mexico Community College. Pablo serves as a board member of IndigenousWays, a non-profit organization focusing on music, arts, outreach, and community events. 

rachelle@516arts.org

JC González, Programing & Marketing Manager 

Juan Carlos (JC) González is a designer, writer, and artist whose professional history includes various New Mexico-based arts nonprofits. He is originally from Anthony, New Mexico, and re-located to Santa Fe to attend the College of Santa Fe where he acquired a self-designed degree in media arts. Following his education, he pursued a design and communications career which led to working with the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe, CENTER, and as a freelance writer for various publications including the Santa Fe Reporter. Additionally, González works as an artist and self-publishes a regional, annual artist-showcase zine. 

JC@516arts.org

Daniel Ulibarri, Education & Engagement Coordinator

Daniel Ulibarri is an accomplished professional photographer and educator. He holds BA degrees in both English and Media Arts from New Mexico Highlands University. He develops youth and educational programming at 516 ARTS, manages social media, develops content, works with interns, creates professional video interviews with artists and project videos, and in 2022 he curated the photography exhibition Nathaniel Tetsuro Paolinelli: Downtown at 516 ARTS, which received international media coverage. Born and raised in northern New Mexico, he has been a resident of Albuquerque since 2021.

daniel@516arts.org

Kevin Paul, Fulcrum Fund & Development Coordinator  

Kevin Paul is a multimedia artist, writer, and fine arts professional. He was previously the Director of Operations at Peyton Wright Gallery in Santa Fe. He has written about art for many publications, including The Santa Fean, The Essential Guide to Santa Fe and Taos, The Collector's Guide. He is co-founder and co-director of Ecotone Physical Theater. He holds a BFA degree in Studio Art from College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and an MFA. degree in Dramatic Writing from the University of New Mexico. 

kevin@516arts.org