Art House Productions, which has been Jersey City’s center for performing and visual arts for the past 24 years, will soon see a shift in its leadership. On September 24, 2025, Board Chair Michele Lewis-Bellamy will complete her service, closing out seven years on the Board of Trustees, four of them as Chair. Following board term limits, she will step aside, and trustee Michael Lord has been chosen as the next Chair.
The change comes as the nonprofit enjoys growth in programming, a stable permanent venue, and new educational opportunities that continue to serve Hudson County and the larger community.
- Michele Lewis-Bellamy finishes her seven-year board term on September 24, 2025, after leading as Chair for four of those years.
- Michael Lord, who previously served as trustee and secretary, will take over as Chair, offering both long-term knowledge and renewed energy.
- The organization continues to expand with nightly shows, education programs, microgrants, scholarships, and a wide network of community partners.
Michele Lewis-Bellamy’s Years of Leadership
During her time with the board, Lewis-Bellamy helped guide the organization through the challenges of the pandemic and into a permanent home. Her leadership supported both financial and artistic growth, and she leaves the board during what many describe as a strong and promising period.
Outside of her work with Art House, Lewis-Bellamy has a career as a Technical Engineer with Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP, bringing more than 20 years of experience at top Manhattan law firms. She has also given time to mentoring through Per Scholas, where underserved students receive tuition-free training in technology, and she has taught adult learners at Hudson County Schools for Technology.
Deeply rooted in her family’s cultural background, she has always been a supporter of the arts. Her years on the board focused on raising the profile of Art House Productions and building its role within Jersey City’s cultural life.
Michael Lord Steps Into Chair Role
Michael Lord will take on the position of Board Chair after Lewis-Bellamy’s departure. Lord’s connection to Art House goes back to 2012, when he joined the INKubator program, appearing in play readings. He later served as trustee between 2017 and 2019, ending his term as Board Secretary.
Professionally, Lord works at New York University as a Manager in the Office of Sponsored Programs, where he handles grants administration. He also brings his creative side to the role, with experience in improv comedy, playing bass and guitar, and co-hosting Tabletop Genesis, a podcast devoted to the band Genesis and related solo work.
Born in the Asbury Park area and now living in West New York, New Jersey, Lord steps in at a time when Art House Productions is operating nightly programs, reaching more audiences, and offering scholarships and microgrants for the community.
Trustees, Staff, and Ongoing Support
The Board of Trustees leading Art House in 2025 includes Michael Lord as Chair, Bree Falato as Vice Chair, Mark Kahn as Treasurer, and Linda Eboukle as Secretary. They are joined by Irene Barnaby, Michael Costanzo, Lenora Houseworth, Gerard D. Pizzillo, Mollie Plotnick, Leslie Seale, and Rosanne Taufield.
Alongside the board, the staff keeps the nonprofit’s work moving. Executive Artistic Director Meredith Burns has guided the organization since 2017 and was a key figure in passing New Jersey’s first municipal trust fund dedicated to the arts. She works with General Manager Michael Griffiths, Producing Director Joshua M. Feder, Marketing Director and JC Fridays Director Sunjay Venkatraman, Gallery Director Andrea McKenna, House Manager Andrea Morin, Comedy Festival Co-Producer Rich Kiamco, INKubator Resident Director Alex Tobey, and Gallery Assistant Irene Christodoulakis.
Advisory board members include David Gibson, Lawrence Bluestone, Jim Peskin, and Christine Goodman, the founder and Executive Director Emeritus.
