Our Staff

Kate Nesmith, Office & Development Assoc.

Kate (she/her) joined the Arcadia Project team in October 2025, bringing a unique blend of creativity, precision and passion for expanding access to the arts for the Staunton community.

Drawing on her years of public art education, museum-based educational programming, social media management and marketing, Kate has a unique collection of skills suited to Arcadia! She works closely with our leadership team, assisting with donor stewardship, and handles all things communication and marketing. This is an exciting and busy time in the life of our organization, and Kate is helping keep us all our ducks in a (wiggly) row. 

Kate lives in Staunton with her music teacher husband Charlie, their six-year-old son Noah, and their sweet rescue pup Luna. When not at work, you’ll find Kate biking with her family, gardening and cooking with Noah, muddling through a project in her home art studio, and staying up too late to read just one more page.

Sierra Priest, Event & Operations Assoc.

Sierra (she/her) is an arts professional with a passion for creativity, community, and bringing people together. With a background in gallery management, event planning, and arts administration, she enjoys helping creative space thrive. Sierra is especially passionate about making the arts accessible and engaging for her community. She brings creativity, organization, and enthusiasm to everything she does. She’s excited to be part of the Arcadia Project and help bring even more art, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences to Staunton!