Arts Center Staff
Melissa Griffin was born and raised in Tangipahoa Parish. She holds a degree in Communication from Southeastern Louisiana University. Over the years, she has pursued professional development opportunities—through classes and mentors—to further her education and understanding of her passion: nonprofit marketing and management. She’s volunteered and supported organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, Loaves of Fishes Soup Kitchen, Children of Destiny, and 90.9 FM KSLU. Melissa’s career path has taken her to locations across southern parts of the U.S. and allowed her to hold many different positions including radio producer, downtown event coordinator, business development and marketing manager, and even, executive director of the Hammond Regional Arts Center (2011-2013). Melissa returns to us with a renewed passion for her home-town community and looks forward to the challenges of managing an organization that contributes to the enrichment of people’s lives through culture and the arts. Along with her husband Josh and their young son, Melissa is happy to be back home in Hammond.
Tara Bennett is the Media Coordinator for the Hammond Regional Arts Center. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Ms. Bennett has worked extensively in the theatre department as an actor, makeup designer, and publicist. In 2012, she obtained her Master's degree in Organizational Communication, focusing on news media and social media. Since accepting her position in April 2014, Ms. Bennett has applied her extensive education to the application of modern technologies to increase the HRAC presence in print, radio, and online media. In her spare time, Ms. Bennett is an involved member of the Hammond arts community as an active alum of Southeastern's chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, serving on the board for the Hammond Horror Festival, and dancing as a member of Troupe La La Belly Dance.
Dakota Dupree is the bookkeeper for the Hammond Regional Arts Center. He is currently an undergraduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University seeking his accounting degree then plans to get his MBA. Dakota loves to spend his free time watching sports, movies, and hanging with his friends and family.
Board of Directors




Seth Pevey is a local author and businessman. Originally from Shreveport, he fell in love with south Louisiana after attending Tulane during the turbulent “Katrina Years.” He has six published novels, and is married to lettering artist Lisa Pevey.

Brandon Mulina has been involved with Hammond Regional Arts Center since 2006 and joined the board in 2016. Brandon is the Director of Customer Experience for Dixie RV Superstores. He also volunteers as an adviser for Theta Chi Fraternity at Southeastern. He loves to share what the Arts Center has to offer the community and is working to expand the platforms of art offered even further with music, theatre and dance.

In recent years, Pat owned and operated The Oak Street Gallery, presenting exhibitions of local and regional arts, while supporting the efforts of the Hammond Regional Arts Center. Macaluso’s career as an artist has included participation in many national, regional and local invitational and juried shows with prizes and awards for her work. She continues to create work and exhibit throughout the U.S. Currently, Pat serves on the HRAC Board and chairs the Gallery Committee.





Gabrielle Landry
Gabrielle earned a degree in interior design from Louisiana State University in the Spring of 2019. Shortly thereafter, she joined H/S Architects and has had the opportunity to work on several projects, where she is able to express her creativity and continue to develop her technical skill. Gabrielle’s interest for interior design stems from the desire to make an impact in the lives of others. To her, being an interior designer allows her the opportunity to influence the lives of other people in any given environment. To be able to show that interior spaces can make a difference in how life is experienced is what makes being an interior designer special to her. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to LSU football games, traveling, and reading a good book.
Bryan Ehricht
Bryan currently serves as Tax Director at James Lambert Riggs & Associates. He began his career in accounting in 2004 and joined the firm as an Associate Director in 2017. His current responsibilities include accounting and review services, estate tax and income tax planning and compliance, and other accounting and consulting services.
Beverly Covington
Beverly Covington has been active in volunteer work in the community her entire life. She has lived in Hammond since 1980 and has participated in several local service and charitable organizations. She was a past Executive Director for the Hammond Regional Arts Center, serving from 1993-95. She holds a degree in Business Management from LSU, and is a member of the Hammond Junior Auxiliary and serves on the Board of Trustees for the First United Methodist Church.
Dusty Cooper
Dusty Cooper was born and raised in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He has been a photographer for 25 years and pursued fashion photography in New York City. In 2013 he received his masters degree in creative writing. Dusty exhibits at local galleries, creates music videos for local musicians, and experiments with different photography techniques. He now lives with his fiance, Stephen King (not the author), in his hometown where he is the Director of Videography at Anntoine Marketing and Design.
Meetings of the HRAC Board of Directors are open to the general public. In order to speak or make a presentation before the Board, a member of the public must have the approval of the Executive Committee prior to the Board meeting.
Board meetings are generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, some exceptions apply. Call the office to confirm the date and time of the next in-person meeting.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2974
Hammond, LA 70404
Gallery / Office Address:
217 E. Thomas Street
Hammond, LA 70401
Phone:
985.542.7113
Email:
info@hammondarts.org
Gallery / Office Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: By appointment only
Wednesday-Friday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Closed: Saturday-Tuesday