Connecting Communities Through the Arts
Mission
Open Scene is a Latin-led nonprofit organization that creates high-quality artistic experiences that connect Orlando with creative voices from around the world. We share diverse stories and design welcoming environments where people can share meaningful cultural moments.
Vision
We envision a community where art strengthens human connection, sparks curiosity, and opens doors to global perspectives. Through our work, we aim to broaden opportunities for cultural exchange and help shape a vibrant creative landscape where many kinds of expression can flourish.
Values
Cultural Voices
We present artistic work from many places and traditions, encouraging conversations that help people understand one another.
Welcoming Access
We offer high-quality programs that are inviting, affordable, and designed so that everyone feels comfortable participating.
Integrity & Fair Practice
We honor artistic work by treating creators with respect, transparency, and fairness.
Board of Directors
We proudly introduce our esteemed board members, a remarkable group of multidisciplinary professionals who bring a wealth of expertise and passion to our organization.
Their dedication reflects our commitment to broad perspectives, artistic excellence, and community-driven impact.
Estefanía Herrera (Chair)
Fefi is an architect specializing in minimalist design and ephemeral architecture, with a passion for creating impactful, temporary spaces that transform environments and audience experience.
Gisela Romero (Director)
Gisela is a visual artist whose work bridges memory, identity, and community through drawing, mixed media, and installation.
Inmaculada Lozano (Director)
Inma is a psychologist and educator specializing in multicultural education, with extensive experience fostering inclusive learning environments.
José Miguel Pérez (Treasurer)
Mickey is a chemist and photographer with a strong passion for methodology, structure, and visual order.
Lidiana Ríos (Director)
Lidi is a PhD candidate in English at the University of South Florida and an English, Spanish, and French instructor. Her work focuses on twentieth-century American literature and African American studies, with an emphasis on history, culture, and representation.
Mariela Saad (Secretary)
Arts & culture consultant Mariela specializes in bridging artists, institutions, and collectors. Her work focuses on elevating creative talent and shaping meaningful cultural experiences through thoughtful curation and strategic collaboration.
Melissa Bambusi (Director)
Meli is a multidisciplinary artist with more than three decades of experience in styling, commercial makeup, character design, costume design, and fashion dressing for advertising, film, and theater.
Onelia Madden (Director)
Oni is an economist with a background in banking and more than a decade of experience in hospitality management and special events. She currently works at Harry P. Leu Gardens, bringing an audience-centered and operational perspective to Open Scene’s board.
Champions of Creativity and Global Culture
Meet The Founder & Executive Director
Thamara Bejarano is a journalist and cultural leader with master’s degrees in Audiovisual Management and Media Education. Her professional background spans journalism, communications consulting, audiovisual production, and higher education, having served as an Assistant Professor at the Central University of Venezuela.
In 2019, she founded Open Scene to expand Central Florida’s cultural landscape and elevate Latin and diasporic representation in the arts. As Founder and Executive Director, she leads the organization’s artistic vision, partnerships, and community-centered programming.
Thamara is a fellow of the International Society of Performing Arts and has served as a panelist and advisor for major cultural funders, including the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, South Arts, and United Arts of Central Florida. She is also a cofounder of the National Alliance of Latino Theater Festivals.