Lisa H. Frye has always been an artist. Whether the medium is painting, photography, design, event planning or the culinary arts, she loves to create. As a child, her aunt once said that if she were trapped in a room with no doors or windows, she would manage a way to draw herself to freedom.
After achieving her BFA from the University of Louisville, she found that there were many local talented artists that had nowhere to show their works. Her response was to create the non-profit Art Sanctuary organization.
As co-founder and Executive Director, she hopes to continue to create a safe place for artists of all stripes to have a place to commune and create. As part of her mission to support artists of all kinds, she also manages and produces local, performing arts group, Va Va Vixens.
Cynthia found her first home nestled in the expression of the arts. As many artists experience, she felt like there wasn’t a place for her where she fit in. It was only through years of writing, performing, and sketching that she found her initial sense of belonging in the world. From here, she took her myriad of skills and applied them to becoming a web developer and entrepreneur supporting local nonprofits with their websites, newsletters, donation platforms, and more.
In the midst of this journey, she discovered Art Sanctuary for the first time. Becoming an active patron of goth nights, Va Va Vixen productions, and many of Art Sanctuary’s regular programming. She knew from the very start this was a place she wanted to be a part of, and give back to; a place that felt like home in a way she had never experienced on her own. After nearly 8 years as a patron, she offered her web services to rebuild and manage the Va Va Vixen’s website and so, her first opportunity to serve came into fruition. It wasn’t until several years after taking on this support role that her second opportunity presented itself, and she joined the Va Va Vixens as a stage hand. As a stage hand, she shares her love of the stage with her playful personality and infectious smile.
Now serving as Associate Director, Cynthia is honored to get to spend every day serving Art Sanctuary; the home that she had spent so many years searching for. In this role, she manages the organization’s websites, handles a wide range of administrative work, and leads grant writing for some of our biggest projects yet, including the move to Art Sanctuary’s new home. She brings her own artistic spirit and flair into her role today, endeavoring to support Art Sanctuary’s mission and purpose, so others can find the same sense of belonging here that she has.
Born in Bowling Green, KY – 1968.
Barren County High School, Glasgow, KY – graduated – 1987.
Ringling College of Art & Design, Sarasota, FL – graduated – 2002. (BFA – Fine Arts Painting)
Working background in sales, communications, service and entertainment as well as a long history with music related events, including:
Bogart’s (Cincinnati) 1990
Hound’s Tooth and Club Dreamerz (Chicago) 1993
Main Street Lounge (Louisville) 2004 to 2007
Founding member and events planner for Radio Arcane (Louisville) 2017 to present.
Events Committee duties: Help create events, book bands, create cocktails for the bar, tend the bar, design imagery for certain events, manage social media pages for related events, promote, be interesting enough to make people curious, make art, create atmosphere and try to get people to show up and participate.
“I’m an artist. I’ve been able to maintain being an artist by one means or another for most of my life, no matter what kind of outside job it took to feed me and pay the rent. That’s made me a bit scrappy, a bit innovative and maybe just crazy enough to be bold and find ways to be who I want to be against the odds. Surviving life on your own terms is an art in itself.”
Lacee Pyles is a self-described “artist of all trades” with a master’s degree in physics and a love for the place where art and structure meet. Professionally, she writes and develops college-level mathematics courses, work that lets her bring creativity and clarity to a subject many find intimidating. Outside of work, she can usually be found at Suspend Louisville, where she has practiced aerial circus for several years with a particular love for lyra and silks. As the story goes, she ran into the house in fourth grade and announced to her mother that she was going to join the circus one day. It just took becoming an adult to make good on the promise.
Her path to Art Sanctuary began at a Va Va Vixens show in 2018, where a friend introduced her to Lisa Frye and told Lisa she would be “one of her people” one day. That prediction has proven true. She joined the Va Va Vixens as a stagehand in 2024 and soon began supporting Lisa in her role as Executive Director. She is honored to now serve on the Board of Directors as President, helping to steward a place that has shaped her own creative life and supports so many other artists in Louisville.
Melissa Patrick is a Kentucky-based leader, educator, and creative who believes that learning, storytelling, and art have the power to build stronger communities. Melissa brings curiosity, compassion, and a collaborative spirit, and she is excited to support the mission of Art Sanctuary as a place where creativity and community can thrive together.Professionally, Melissa works in the insurance industry, where she leads teams, designs organization-wide learning strategies, and guides large-scale transformation initiatives. Her experience in education, project management, and content development reflects a passion for creating environments where people feel empowered to learn and grow.Outside of her professional work, Melissa is drawn to spaces that foster creativity, connection, and self-expression. Her interests span visual arts, music, literature, and community-building. She values the role artistic spaces play in bringing diverse people together. She is especially inspired by the intersection of creativity and belonging, and by opportunities to create experiences where people feel seen, welcomed, and encouraged to share their voices.
Bethan Kannapell is an educator and acrobat who winds her love of art, math, and circus into everything she does. She studied visual art at duPont Manual High School, psychology and mathematics at Warren Wilson College, and aerial and ground acrobatics at the New England Center for Circus Arts. She discovered Art Sanctuary in 2010, and it has become like a second home to her, the community there like a second family.
For Jeff Smith, Art Sanctuary is the intersection of a lifelong passion for visual storytelling and a deep-rooted commitment to the local arts community. With a background in photography and cinematography, honed at the University of Louisville and Columbia College Chicago, Jeff brings a unique and creative perspective to his work as a board member and Treasurer. He is dedicated to building a sustainable home for local creators, ensuring the organization’s growth remains as visually and culturally impactful as the community it serves.
Langan Smith was born in Charlottesville, VA in 1970 and moved to Louisville in 1977. He graduated from Trinity High School in 1988, then attended Miami University where he studied video & audio production, electronic music and photography, graduating with a B.S. in Mass Communication in 1992.
Langan has been involved in video, audio and music for the past 30 years while alternating his residencies between Detroit and Louisville. He lived in Detroit from 1994-1998 and from 2007-2011, playing guitar and bass in bands Jolly Llama, Viola Peacock and El Gato Legato, while working at Vintage King Audio in Ferndale, MI.
Louisville has been his home from 1998-2007 and from 2011 to present. He co-founded the Kino Louisville film club, which held regular filmmaking and screening events in Louisville from 2005-2007. In 2013 he purchased a home in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood and began attending events at Art Sanctuary in 2014. While running the video projection with Ian Ritchie at Hellhouse 2015 dance party, he discovered the joy of making live video art, and is currently involved in the video production for the “Late for Dinner” live stream series which premiered at Art Sanctuary in June 2020. He is co-founder and member of local band Pedal Party, who performed at two multi-artist fundraisers at Art Sanctuary: “Synesthesia – an Immersion of Music and Video Art” in 2019 and “The Ear Sees, The Eye Hears” in 2018.
“Music, film, video art, photography and improvisation have always thrilled me. It’s important to have a local community venue where art of various forms of expression can be created and showcased. I want to help Art Sanctuary continue to thrive as a vibrant space for exploring, creating and enjoying art & music.”
Joseph Mays is an artist and a technology and business professional who has been living and working in Louisville for almost 34 years. As an artist he has been a part of several solo, juried and invitational shows around the country. As a business professional he has a proven track record in project planning, management and applying technology solutions. When he was asked to join the board of Art Sanctuary he immediately accepted because he has been a personal witness over the years to how the organization has given incubation and support to emerging artists and performers throughout the city. Art makes a community better, and Art Sanctuary as an organization benefits everyone in Louisville.
Lisa H. Frye
Art Sanctuary President/Founder
Va Va Vixens – Producer/Manager
facebook.com/LisaHFrye
Va Va Vixens
vavavixens.com
James Russell May
Artist
jamesrussellmay.com
Rita Cameron
Artist
ritacameronstudio8
Sabra Crockett
Artist
sabralynne.com
Joe Welsh
Artist
joewelshart.wordpress.com
Linda Erzinger
Artist
LindaErzinger.com
Shahn Rigsby
Artist
facebook.com/OvuleArtPlot
Robert Major
Artist
Joe Mays
Photographer
AlienTwilight.com
Katie Castillo
Artist
Edwin Ramirez
Artist
Jen DeLeeuw
Artist
Laura Rountree
Artist
Chris Owens
Artist
Rebecca Roberts-Kerns
Artist
Scott Slusher
Art Sanctuary – Past Vice President
facebook.com/scottslusher.photographer
legacy.com/obituaries/louisville/obituary
Chris Mozier
Woodworker
moziermade.com
Gary Quick
Photographer
garyquick.com
facebook.com/GaryQuickPhoto
Billie Bradford-Believe
Artist
bradfordfinefurniture.com
Melanie Nehmzow
Artist
James Johns
Artist
flickr.com/photos
Ben Ensor
Photographer
gbenjaminensor.com
Jeremiah Carter
Photographer
bmemories.com.com
Ty Mattheu
Photographer
porticophoto.com
Paul Fargen
Artist
David Kegel
Photographer
david.kegelphotography.com
Ashley Brossart
Artist
Orange-Peeled.com
Cathe Crabb
Artist
northodoxky.com
Alicia Jane Boswell
Artist
aliciajaneboswell.com
Katy Delahanty
Artist
Trent Altman
Artist
trentsstudio.com
Stephanie Potter
Artist
Art Sanctuary Board alum
potterartstudio.com
Jada Dixon
Artist
facebook.com//JadaLynnDixonArt
Tony Dixon
Photographer
facebook.com/TonyDixonPhotography
Brittni Pullen
Artist
brittnipullen.com
Emily Hendrix
Artist
cargocollective.com/iamthelovechild
Julia Davis
Artist
juliadart.com
Daniel Gatlin
Artist
Pati Wright Watson
Artist
facebook.com/artchikdiva
William Ashton
Artist
facebook.com/klautdesign
Kellee Ross
Artist
Danny Alexander
Photographer
DannyPa.com
Kimmi Monroe
Artist
kimpmonroe.wordpress.com
Eli Keel
Arts and Cultural Critic/Playwright
Rachel Stottmann
Artist
RachelJStottmannArt.com
Kristina Bowersmith
Artist
Nancy Ann Sturdevant
Artist
Michael John Braaksma
Artist
lamaland.carbonmade.com/
etsy.com/shop/TheLibertyLama
Charlotte Pollock
Artist
CharlotteAnnPollock.com
Kassie Clifford
Photographer
Patrick Hugg
Artist
Aerie Meredith
Artist
Nikita Krivoshey
Artist
NikitaArt.com
Dave Bibelhauser
Artist
bikehauser.com
Audrey Nelson
Artist
Trish Ansert
Artist
Brett Owen
Artist
Portfolio
Brandie Farkas
Artist
bcatdesigns.com
Julie Page
Artist
ArtofJuliePage
Victoria Klotz
Artist
VictoriaKlotz.com
Meredith Hayden
Artist
Sara Wines
Artist
Jenn Toby
Artist
Grace Rogers
Artist
J. Cobb
Artist
Mary Yates
Artist
vividblack.net
Kate Mattingly
Artist
KateMattinglyart.com
Juliya Pogrebinsky
Charles Nowell
Artists/Jewelry Makers
Fixed Earth Designs
Lindsey Bishop
LackaDazee
Jewelry Artist
Lackadazee.com
Dave Bramblette
Woodworker
Camala Walling
Artist
camalanoelsteele-artwork
Cassie Fischer
Artist
Emma Ruth Rundle
Artist
emmaruthrundle.com/visual-art
Irene Mudd
Artist
Portfolio
Kelly Rains
Artist
kellyrainsart.com
Jessica Chao
Artist
jchao-art.com
Peggy Coots
Artist
http://www.peggycoots.com
Melissa Bean
Artist
Tom Wholfeld
Artist
Maria Ortiz
Artist
Michelle Montgomery
Aritst
Hannah Wright
Artist
gloopbabies.weebly.com
Josh Johnson
Artist
spindletons.com
Ben Lipkin
Artist
Sue Wholfeld
Artist
Stacy Staggs
Artist
Sandra Harville
Artist
@rawcreations90
Samantha Ludwig
Artist
samanthaludwig.com
Amanda Ball
Artist
behance.net/amandamichelleball
Austin McKinney
Artist
axmckinney.com
Courtney Stafford
Artist
courteli.com
Kristina Kleinert
Artist
Britany Baker
Artist
Art Sanctuary Studio Manager
britanybaker.com
Frankie Steele
Photographer
Art Sanctuary Chief Operations Officer
olive-creative.com
Our building, located at 1433 South Shelby Street, is ~26,000ft², with roughly half for event use and half for artist studios, storage, and meeting space. We have 87 offsite parking spaces, a bus stop at our front door serving line 43 and an ADA compliant handicap accessible van loading space on site. There are two 10ft and one 22ft garage doors. The original building was constructed in 1924 with major additions in the late 50’s and early 60’s.
1924 – 1927: Merchants Ice Storage
1927 – 1952: Modern Rug Cleaning
1952 – 2008: Precision Tool, Die and Machine Co
2008 – 2011: Voit Electric Co. / Jabar LLC
2011 – Present: Art Sanctuary
We are zoned C-M, Commercial Manufacturing, that includes C-2 Commercial (exposition building, flea market, theaters, dance halls) and M-1 Industrial (artist studios) uses. See 15ZONE1060 and ORDINANCE NO.127, SERIES 2016.
We are permitted through a Change of Use having 597 Assembly (A-3) use, 98 Gallery (A-3) use and 42 Studio (F-2) use for a total of 737 person occupancy. We comply with KBC 2013 & ANSI A117.1. See Permit Number: BL985767.
We have fire detection and suppression through an annually inspected, fully sprinkled building, with a remotely monitored, voice enunciated, fire alarm panel with pull stations at every exit. We comply with KBC-2013 and NFPA-72. See Permit Number: FD1004789.
Our 8 fire rated ground floor exits are all equipped with panic push bars. There are annually inspected fire extinguishers at the bottom and top of each staircase. Our 44” paths of egress are all marked with emergency lighting and lit exit signage. Our door openings equal 24.3ft (292”) that could handle 1946 max egress which is 2.64 times the current occupancy load of 737 peak.
We carry comprehensive public liability insurance in the limits of $2,000,000.00, and property damages limits $2,000,000.00 and require the same of any company contracting our event space.