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.
Melissa Bambusi (Secretary)
Melissa 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.
Estefanía Herrera (Director)
Estefanía is an architect specializing in minimalist design and ephemeral architecture, with a passion for creating impactful, temporary spaces that transform environments and audience experience.
Inmaculada Lozano (Director)
Inma is a psychologist and educator specializing in multicultural education, with extensive experience fostering inclusive learning environments.
José "Mickey" Pérez (Treasurer)
Mickey is a chemist and photographer with a strong passion for methodology, structure, and visual order.
Gisela Romero (Chair)
Gisela is a visual artist whose work bridges memory, identity, and community through drawing, mixed media, and installation.
Mariela Saad (Director)
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.
Meet the Team Behind Open Scene:
Champions of Creativity and Global Culture
Meet The Founder & Executive Director
Thamara Bejarano is a journalist with master’s degrees in Audiovisual Management and Media Education. She has an extensive academic background, having served as an Assistant Professor at the School of Journalism and the postgraduate division of the Central University of Venezuela. Beyond academia, she has worked as a journalist, communications consultant, and audiovisual producer.
In 2019, she founded Open Scene to help expand Central Florida’s cultural landscape and elevate Latin and diasporic representation in the arts.
Thamara is a fellow of the International Society of Performing Arts and an active member of the Inter-American Press Association, Dramatists Guild of America, Creative and Independent Producer Alliance, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, and the Venezuelan National College of Journalists. She is also the cofounder of the National Alliance of Latino Theater Festivals.
She has served as a panelist for major funders, including the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, South Arts, and United Arts of Central Florida, and has also been appointed to the Orange County Cultural Plan Steering Committee and GOPAR (Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief).