Positioning Brannan Center for greatness.

My family moved to Calistoga in 2019, and until this year I commuted out of town for work in Rutherford, where I spent 50+ hours a week building on a family-owned brand with roots dating back to 1973. It was a rewarding but rather consuming experience, leaving me with little gas in the tank for local exploration after hours.

This year, having stepped away to found Dunstan Creative, I’ve been able to spend purposeful time in Calistoga. I’ve committed to supporting this town through various civic efforts, and I’ve been more present and available for my children’s school activities and extracurriculars. For the first time, it truly feels like home.

I was introduced to the founders of Brannan Center last year, and invited to join its board of directors. I eventually took on the role of marketing and public relations chair, working to redefine the organization’s brand guidelines and bring all of creative assets in line, to formalize its mission and vision, and to communicate its messaging through press and social media.

I have met incredible leaders, friends and neighbors through the process, and I’m honored to be in their company as we bring this dream to fruition. Our mission is to empower the greater UpValley community with opportunities to experience performing arts and community programming that celebrate culture and promote vitality in our region. We envision creating a space that restores, enlivens and cultivates the human spirit through community, creativity and learning.

This week, we launched our new web site, a project I volunteered to lead. I invite you to follow along as this exquisite reconstruction unfolds both on the blog at BrannanCenter.org and on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll be opening the doors in the latter part of 2025. Plan your visit to this idyllic Wine Country town and be sure to take in a show or participate in a workshop, lecture or class. The opportunities for enrichment will be endless.