Who We Are

Our Staff

Laurie Seeman

Laurie Seeman

Founder/Director, Lead Artist/Educator

Laurie Seeman is an artist, naturalist and educator known for her pioneering work in the field of place-based art and environmental education. With founding Strawtown Studio in 2002 she combined her 20 years of experience as an artist, curator and creative entrepreneur in NYC with a passion for nature and spending time with children. She draws from her education in communications, experience in filmmaking, and ongoing study of the natural and ecological sciences with regional environmental experts, and time with indigenous peoples to work for environmental stewardship and justice.

Through Strawtown Studio, Laurie trains educators today in the methods and principles behind engaging in nature, art and science discovery and mentoring youth outdoors. Her hope is for more children to experience all the joys and self discovery that come from being creative and nature-connected.

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From her work with children outdoors along the waterways, Laurie has recognized the need for action and become a voice for the environment and a leader in regional water advocacy. She is the Founder of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance, Lead member of the Rockland Water Coalition, and Board Member of the Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management. In 2019 Laurie received the NYS Assembly Woman of Distinction Award. In 2018 she received the Rockland County Executive “Outstanding Environmental Leadership Award”, and in 2012 the Nyack Center “Women of Leadership and Vision Award”. Additional awards for organizations she leads include: the EPA “Environmental Champion Award” to the Rockland Water Coalition, 2015; and the Hudson River Watershed Alliance “Hudson River Stewardship Award” to the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance, 2011.

Laurie’s efforts have resulted in raising a generation of youth knowledgeable about their surroundings, and forming citizen and government partnerships for change, dedicated to the health and well-being of our environment and communities.

Laurie Seeman

Founder/Director, Lead Artist/Educator

Laurie Seeman is an artist, naturalist and educator known for her pioneering work in the field of place-based art and environmental education. With founding Strawtown Studio in 2002 she combined her 20 years of experience as an artist, curator and creative entrepreneur in NYC with a passion for nature and spending time with children. She draws from her education in communications, experience in filmmaking, and ongoing study of the natural and ecological sciences with regional environmental experts, and time with indigenous peoples to work for environmental stewardship and justice.

Through Strawtown Studio, Laurie trains educators today in the methods and principles behind engaging in nature, art and science discovery and mentoring youth outdoors. Her hope is for more children to experience all the joys and self discovery that come from being creative and nature-connected.

Read More

From her work with children outdoors along the waterways, Laurie has recognized the need for action and become a voice for the environment and a leader in regional water advocacy. She is the Founder of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance, Lead member of the Rockland Water Coalition, and Board Member of the Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management. In 2019 Laurie received the NYS Assembly Woman of Distinction Award. In 2018 she received the Rockland County Executive “Outstanding Environmental Leadership Award”, and in 2012 the Nyack Center “Women of Leadership and Vision Award”. Additional awards for organizations she leads include: the EPA “Environmental Champion Award” to the Rockland Water Coalition, 2015; and the Hudson River Watershed Alliance “Hudson River Stewardship Award” to the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance, 2011.

Laurie’s efforts have resulted in raising a generation of youth knowledgeable about their surroundings, and forming citizen and government partnerships for change, dedicated to the health and well-being of our environment and communities.

Joanna Dickey

Joanna Dickey

Program Director, Lead Artist / Educator

Joanna Dickey is a visual artist who joined Strawtown Studio as Summer Staff in 2003, and has been co-teaching programs ever since. Starting in 2013, she has been co-leading the organizational development of Strawtown since she and Founder Laurie Seeman formed the non-profit. Joanna has a studio art degree with concentrations in painting and printmaking, and has worked with children for over 20 years in a variety of settings. As an artist and naturalist she loves guiding youth to explore the natural world in creative ways. She is trained in botanical study and excels in teaching art skills related to nature.

Joanna has 20 years of experience curating and installing local and regional art exhibitions. She has collaborated on many community art projects, including murals, printmaking, and environmental art. Her artwork has been shown in many exhibitions, locally, in New York City, and as far as Bucharest, Romania. In 2008, Joanna co-founded and served as Secretary of the Garner Arts Creekside Plant Committee, which formed to ensure sustainable restoration of the banks of the Minisceongo Creek that runs through the Garner complex. Since 2010, she has trained in aquatic science monitoring and has co-led citizen science projects on local waterways with youth and community members.

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Joanna has studied nature, environment, and wilderness skills with Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School, Practical Primitive, the Nature Institute, and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program. She brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the team, such as program development and delivery, operations management, and grant writing. In 2009 Joanna received the “40 Under 40 Award” from the Rockland Economic Corp for her engagement in community projects. In 2022, together with Laurie Seeman, she received the Arts Council of Rockland’s “Art Educator of the Year” Award on behalf of Strawtown Studio. Joanna was a founding member and secretary of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance for 10 years. She is currently a member of the Minisceongo Creek Watershed Alliance, and is studying Permaculture Design.

Joanna Dickey

Program Director, Lead Artist / Educator


Joanna Dickey is a visual artist who joined Strawtown Studio as Summer Staff in 2003, and has been co-teaching programs ever since. Starting in 2013, she has been co-leading the organizational development of Strawtown since she and Founder Laurie Seeman formed the non-profit. Joanna has a studio art degree with concentrations in painting and printmaking, and has worked with children for over 20 years in a variety of settings. As an artist and naturalist she loves guiding youth to explore the natural world in creative ways. She is trained in botanical study and excels in teaching art skills related to nature.

Joanna has 20 years of experience curating and installing local and regional art exhibitions. She has collaborated on many community art projects, including murals, printmaking, and environmental art. Her artwork has been shown in many exhibitions, locally, in New York City, and as far as Bucharest, Romania. In 2008, Joanna co-founded and served as Secretary of the Garner Arts Creekside Plant Committee, which formed to ensure sustainable restoration of the banks of the Minisceongo Creek that runs through the Garner complex. Since 2010, she has trained in aquatic science monitoring and has co-led citizen science projects on local waterways with youth and community members.

Read More

Joanna has studied nature, environment, and wilderness skills with Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School, Practical Primitive, the Nature Institute, and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program. She brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the team, such as program development and delivery, operations management, and grant writing. In 2009 Joanna received the “40 Under 40 Award” from the Rockland Economic Corp for her engagement in community projects. In 2022, together with Laurie Seeman, she received the Arts Council of Rockland’s “Art Educator of the Year” Award on behalf of Strawtown Studio. Joanna was a founding member and secretary of the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance for 10 years. She is currently a member of the Minisceongo Creek Watershed Alliance, and is studying Permaculture Design.

Ali Friel

Ali Friel

Artist/Educator, Media Content Manager

Ali came to Strawtown in 2013 as an intern and is now developing and leading programs. She has a Master’s degree in Applied Community Change focused on Conservation, along with a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in Psychology, with minors in Art and Education. Ali’s experience in the field includes working as a teaching assistant with children at Earthwork Wilderness Program in Massachusetts, and many years of experience trekking around the world, working on community service projects. She is currently a board member of the Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

Ali Friel

Artist/Educator, Media Content Manager


Ali came to Strawtown in 2013 as an intern and is now developing and leading programs. She has a Master’s degree in Applied Community Change focused on Conservation, along with a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in Psychology, with minors in Art and Education. Ali’s experience in the field includes working as a teaching assistant with children at Earthwork Wilderness Program in Massachusetts, and many years of experience trekking around the world, working on community service projects. She is currently a board member of the Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

Lorraine Marden

Lorraine Marden

Artist/Educator

Growing up in Vermont, Lorraine has always felt a deep connection to the natural world. She is a lifelong art maker and loves to work with children in deepening their connection to nature through art and science.  It was through the experience of helping Laurie Seeman to launch a hiking club that she began to understand the urgency and importance in helping to connect all ages with the natural world. Lorraine has her undergraduate degree in Communications with a concentration in art, and a masters degree in Special education.  During the school year she is a teacher at a small private progressive school.  If asked of her favorite way to spend a day, doing art with children in nature would be her answer any season of the year.

Lorraine Marden

Artist/Educator


Growing up in Vermont, Lorraine has always felt a deep connection to the natural world. She is a lifelong art maker and loves to work with children in deepening their connection to nature through art and science.  It was through the experience of helping Laurie Seeman to launch a hiking club that she began to understand the urgency and importance in helping to connect all ages with the natural world. Lorraine has her undergraduate degree in Communications with a concentration in art, and a masters degree in Special education.  During the school year she is a teacher at a small private progressive school.  If asked of her favorite way to spend a day, doing art with children in nature would be her answer any season of the year.

Jantell Perrault

Jantell Perrault

Artist/Educator

Jantell Perrault is an aspiring artist who is passionate about illustration and videography. She spends most of her free time drawing what inspires her, whether it is her favorite cartoons or beautiful landscapes. She has worked with children for over ten years, and it is part of her life mission to encourage children to live out their authentic truth in order to become confident and happy adults. 

Jantell Perrault

Artist/Educator


Jantell Perrault is an aspiring artist who is passionate about illustration and videography. She spends most of her free time drawing what inspires her, whether it is her favorite cartoons or beautiful landscapes. She has worked with children for over ten years, and it is part of her life mission to encourage children to live out their authentic truth in order to become confident and happy adults. 
Natalie Russell

Natalie Russell

Artist/Educator

Natalie has more than 20 years of experience working with children, Pre-K to grade 12 as well as adults.  She enjoys teaching and developing interdisciplinary art curricula for a wide range of settings.  The foundation of her educational experience is rooted in Fine Art.  She brings a treasure trove of unique workshops and lessons to Strawtown in: drawing, painting, sculpture, culture, literature and poetry.  The intersection of science, nature, and art form the cornerstone of her own artwork and her art education practice.  She has a Masters degree from New York University.  

Natalie Russell

Artist/Educator

Natalie has more than 20 years of experience working with children, Pre-K to grade 12 as well as adults.  She enjoys teaching and developing interdisciplinary art curricula for a wide range of settings.  The foundation of her educational experience is rooted in Fine Art.  She brings a treasure trove of unique workshops and lessons to Strawtown in: drawing, painting, sculpture, culture, literature and poetry.  The intersection of science, nature, and art form the cornerstone of her own artwork and her art education practice.  She has a Masters degree from New York University.  
Renée deLisser

Renée deLisser

Educator & Occupational Therapist

RenĂ©e first joined Strawtown over 10 years ago for its summer program, and most recently returned to work seasonally over the last few years. RenĂ©e has experience working in pre-school settings, where she saw an occupational therapist come in to work with students. She decided this was the path she wanted to study, and recently received her master’s degree and license in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. She said so much of what she learned is what we are already doing at Strawtown. RenĂ©e is excited to join us for the summer program and year-round opportunities, and to teach us what more there is to know about children’s sensory and neurological development. RenĂ©e is also an avid ultimate Frisbee athlete.

Renée deLisser

Educator & Occupational Therapist

RenĂ©e first joined Strawtown over 10 years ago for its summer program, and most recently returned to work seasonally over the last few years. RenĂ©e has experience working in pre-school settings, where she saw an occupational therapist come in to work with students. She decided this was the path she wanted to study, and recently received her master’s degree and license in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. She said so much of what she learned is what we are already doing at Strawtown. RenĂ©e is excited to join us for the summer program and year-round opportunities, and to teach us what more there is to know about children’s sensory and neurological development. RenĂ©e is also an avid ultimate Frisbee athlete. 

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Strawtown over the years. You have individually and collectively made incredible contributions that have touched many lives and helped to build our community!

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