MEET THE DAM TEAM
Pictured, from left to right: Kelly R. Farrell Simmons, Miah J. Davis Gardner, Hayla Hay, Amara Murphy, Alphonso Carlton Jr.
Miah J. Davis Gardner, Executive Director
With over a decade of experience, Miah J. Davis brings a dynamic blend of artistic expertise and nonprofit management to her role. Davis received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting from Wayne State University, where she honed her artistic skills and developed a deep-rooted belief in the transformative potential of arts education. Throughout her career, Davis has been a passionate advocate for the multifaceted skills that artists acquire in an academic environment and how they can be applied and leveraged across various career paths. As the Director of the DAM, Davis is committed to nurturing and supporting artists as entrepreneurs, providing members with the necessary educational resources, platforms, and opportunities, and creating pathways for young artists to see themselves reflected in the organization.
Davis previously held roles at Wayne State University, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, College for Creative Studies, and BasBlue. Outside of work, her hobbies include ornamental horticulture, researching new developments and trends in philanthropy, and sharing her love of North America’s only marsupial, the Virginia Opossum, with anyone who will listen.
Kelly R. Farrell Simmons, Assistant Director
kelly@detroitartistsmarket.org
Kelly Farrell Simmons is a Detroit-based arts administrator dedicated to advancing artists and strengthening the city’s creative community. As Assistant Director at Detroit Artists Market (DAM), she supports the creative growth, visibility, and community connection of Metro Detroit artists through exhibitions, programs, and partnerships. She oversees day-to-day gallery operations and exhibition services while developing initiatives that deepen DAM’s impact and create meaningful opportunities for artists at all stages of their careers.
She holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Rollins College. Prior to joining DAM, Farrell helped develop and coordinate an interdisciplinary Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) program at Wayne State University, using visual art as a foundation for observation, dialogue, critical thinking, and arts-integrated learning across academic disciplines.
Outside of her work at DAM, Kelly is an enthusiastic ceramics student, enjoys traveling, and spends time with her two cats and black Lab, DAM’s occasional four-legged team member.
Hayla Hay, Gallery Manager
hayla@detroitartistsmarket.org
Hayla Hay is an artist, writer, and arts administrator based in Detroit, Michigan. She currently serves as the Gallery Manager at the Detroit Artists Market (DAM), where, for the past four years, she has supported the city’s creative community through exhibitions, artist development, and programming.
Hayla earned her BFA in Painting and Photography, with a minor in Art History, from Wayne State University. Primarily working in painting, her artistic practice draws from mythological iconography and folklore to create new rituals of seeing, feeling, and believing.
In addition to her creative and administrative work, she made her curatorial debut in 2024 with GIRLHOOD at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit—a group exhibition inviting inclusive dialogue around the complexities of coming of age across diverse lived experiences—and Nest: Reflections of Safe Spaces at CCS Center Galleries, which delves into the profound human need for sanctuary—places where one feels nurtured, loved, accepted, and shielded from harm.
Outside of work, Hayla is an insatiable reader, a collector of vintage clothing and cameo jewelry, and a seeker of all things whimsical. She still dreams, occasionally, of running away to the circus.
Alphonso Carlton Jr., Programs & Events Manager
alphonso@detroitartistsmarket.org
Alphonso Carlton Jr. is an arts admin professional and audio technician based in Detroit, Michigan. He currently serves as Programs & Events Manager at the Detroit Artists Market, where he leads program development and supports the planning and implementation of public and private events.
With a background in radio and podcasting, Alphonso has worked both behind the scenes and on-air at Raw Radio X and Oh So Radio. He draws on his studies in Communications at Wayne State University, along with technical training from Specs Howard School of Media Arts.
Outside of work, he spends time exploring Michigan’s state parks, enjoying the outdoors whenever possible. In his free time, he writes about fabrics and textiles and can often be found at a Detroit Pistons game, where his passion for sports and Detroit meet.
Amara Murphy, Gallery Assistant
amara@detroitartistsmarket.org
Amara Murphy is a Black, queer photographer based in Detroit, Michigan, and a 2025 Kresge Arts in Detroit Gilda Award recipient. Backed by her educational background, her work reflects the intersection between science and art; she pushes materials through experimentation, alternative processes, and organic materials.
Previous to DAM, Murphy supported exhibition research at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and was selected for the 2025 McMullan Family Foundation Summer Intensive at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she collaborated on the research-based exhibition proposal Invisible Labor. Murphy holds a BFA in Photography with a minor in Art History from Wayne State University, an Associate of Science from Oakland Community College.
Outside of work, Murphy loves creating jewelry, taking nature walks, and picking up new art hobbies.
Charlene McNary, Bookkeeper
Mike Kearns, Art Installer
Mingus, Chief Morale Pawfficer
Originally brought on as a temporary intern, this dedicated pup quickly proved indispensable and returned to take on a permanent role. They help shape our workplace culture, support strong team connections, and proudly advocate for accessible environments where everyone can fully experience the arts.
Sasha, Pawblic Engagement Intern
This intern lends a helpful paw in making the gallery feel inviting and approachable. With an enthusiastic wag and a talent for putting folks at ease, they support guest interactions, spark connections, and encourage guests to feel right at home.
Board of Directors
Veronica Bielat, Exhibitions Committee Chair
Angela Frakes, Retired
Roger Garrett, Retired
Jennifer Giroux, Secretary, Giroux Impact
Tea Gongadze Lightfoot, General Motors
Doug McElroy, President, Retired
Deborah Odette, Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Monique Riley, Vice President, Riley Media Group
Jainelle Robinson, ArtOps
Njeri Rutherford, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Tiara Tinnin, Detroit Pistons Foundation
Kiana Wenzell, Design Core Detroit
Chris Wolin, Triplelift
Exhibitions Committee
Carla Anderson
Anita Bates
Veronica Bielat, Chair
Sydney Frakes
Laura Gibson
Dan Graschuck
Leslie T. Graves
Tracy Irwin
John F. Korachis
Elizabeth Youngblood