Choptank Arts & Culture Exchange
Board of Directors
De'Vonte Perry
President
DE’VONTE PERRY is an artist and activist from the Eastern Shore. He is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator and Program Lead for the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland. A Salisbury University theatre graduate, he also teaches improvisation to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to help boost their social and workplace opportunities. Through involvement with non-profit organizations across the U.S. and advocacy for people and the arts, Perry connects his passion with purpose.
Donna Newcomer
Vice President
DONNA NEWCOMER moved to Cambridge in 2019 from Hagerstown, where she held a variety of teaching, administrative, and community service positions. She was principal of the first elementary arts school in Maryland’s Washington County and was executive director of human resources for the county’s school system. She also served on the Board of Directors and was President of the Washington County Arts Council. Newcomer holds a doctorate degree from Duquesne University in Leadership and Organization Development.
Theresa Connors
Secretary
THERESA CONNORS is an Eastern Shore native. She is a career educator who taught English for nearly 20 years before moving into an administrative role. She currently supervises the Dorchester County Public School System’s Fine Arts department. Connors holds a Master of Arts degree in English Literature in addition to her school administrator certification. She has also served on review panels for state-wide public arts grants.
John Lewis
Treasurer
JOHN LEWIS is a writer, educator, and curator living in Cambridge. He taught in Maryland Institute College of Art’s Curatorial Practice MFA program and has curated exhibitions at a variety of venues, including the American Visionary Art Museum. Lewis has written for many publications, including The Oxford American, Rolling Stone, and Baltimore magazine. He received a Literary Arts award from the Maryland State Arts Council in 2022.