Revitalized Art & Culture Department at JCC Welcomes New Director, Coordinator

The Charlotte Jewish News, May 2023

By LJCC Staff

The Art & Culture department at the Levine JCC (LJCC) has recently undergone an exciting transformation with a new director, Michelle Rusgo. Michelle brings fresh ideas, a new perspective, and a renewed energy to the department. The department, which focuses on promoting art and culture within the organization and the wider community, has been revitalized by the new leadership and is set to expand its reach and impact.

Michelle Rusgo brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. She graduated from The School of Visual Arts in NYC and was an art teacher for many years before coming to the LJCC. With a strong background in art and a passion for promoting cultural understanding and appreciation, Michelle is the perfect fit for the department. Although she started just a few months ago, she has already implemented several new initiatives aimed at increasing engagement with art and culture within the organization and beyond.

In addition to a new director, the LJCC has hired Randi Seffinger as the Art & Culture coordinator. Randi is a relative newcomer to Charlotte, having moved here from northern New Jersey less than two years ago. In New Jersey, she was the co-owner of Buzz Theater, which specializes in black box musical theater productions. She has produced, directed, taught, costumed, and performed throughout the northeast and Charlotte areas, most recently teaching and directing for Matthews Playhouse.

Together Michelle and Randi have big plans for the Art & Culture department. The department organizes cultural events such as music concerts, art exhibitions, and film screenings. It also provides the community a space to showcase its performing arts talents. The team is planning theatrical shows, performing arts classes, musical performances, art exhibits, and workshops. They are also working on a series of collaborations with local artists and cultural institutions. These partnerships will provide opportunities for the larger community to engage with the local art scene including both the work of emerging and established artists.

Currently, Michelle and Randi are preparing for this summer’s Performing Arts Camp for second through eighth graders. Within the themes of “Dare to Dream” and “Me, Myself and I,” the campers will experience a wide range of arts opportunities including dance, theatre, visual arts, and technology, culminating in a performance at the end of each session. In addition, a podcast studio/media room has been added to the Performing Arts Camp this year. The studio will be available to middle school-aged campers, with camp counselors providing guidance and support to help them create podcasts and videos that are engaging, informative, and fun. Campers will be given assignments on a range of topics and encouraged to express their creativity and share their unique perspectives of the world.

With its commitment to providing campers with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the world of performing arts, the camp is helping to shape the next generation of creative thinkers and innovators.

Michelle is excited about the potential of the department to make a real impact on the culture of the organization and the wider community. “Art and culture are essential to understanding and appreciating the world around us,” she says. “I believe that by promoting these values within the LJCC and beyond, we can create a more engaged and connected community.”

The department has already received a great deal of support from the organization and the wider community, and Michelle is confident that it will continue to grow and thrive in the upcoming years. “I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Photo caption: Randi Seffinger and Michelle Rusgo