Ray Beldner, Director
Ray has worked in art education and marketing for the last 20 years with the goal of inspiring people to create, value, and support the visual arts. As an artist, he has exhibited in more than 20 solo shows and over 100 group exhibitions, both nationally and internationally, and his artwork can be found in numerous public and private collections including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the Federal Reserve Board, Washington DC; the Saks Fifth Ave Collection, New York; and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, among many others. At several Bay Area colleges and universities, he taught courses in sculpture and installation art, conceptual art, and professional practices for artists. Ray is also a fine art appraiser and art collection manager and advisor.
Contact: ray@startupartfair.com
Molly Blaisdell, PR and Marketing
Molly brings 25 years of PR experience promoting clients in the tourism and lifestyle sector, including an extensive background in planning and executing strategic public relations and marketing campaigns for destinations, hotels and resorts, attractions, retail centers, and arts organizations, among other industries
Molly received numerous awards and accolades for her creative efforts to promote the Municipal Railway and San Francisco’s tourism initiatives before and after the devastating Loma Prieta Earthquake. In addition, she’s received several honors from and is a member of Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW); Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International; Pacific Asia Travel Association; and Society of American Traveler Writers (SATW).
Lilah Beldner, influencer and content curator
Lilah is a freelance influencer and social media strategist with a unique perspective on the art world, shaped by her upbringing with artist parents and years immersed in gallery culture. This background gives her a deep understanding of the creative industry, which she channels into impactful digital strategies for artists, musicians, and brands alike. Whether creating content for individual creators, advising on Instagram and TikTok strategies, or managing influencer partnerships for brands, her work bridges the gap between artistry and audience, bringing each client’s vision to life through tailored content strategies, brand collaborations, event production, and meaningful online growth. Previous clients include, LavaMaeX ⁃ Comfort Cases ⁃ Sanitation Foundation ⁃ Daughters for Earth Brands ⁃ Unilever (The Right To Shower) ⁃ CeraVe ⁃ Ferver Skincare ⁃ Mojo Wellbeing ⁃ Cora ⁃ The Malin ⁃ Moonpals Artists ⁃ Black Hibiscus ⁃ Saint Levant ⁃ Level III Collective
Shannon Kaye, Assistant Director
A natural entrepreneur, Shannon has run creative businesses for most of her career. From starting a decorative home services company, to hosting and producing television and video series for national channels and brands, and creating a line of home furnishings. Shannon exhibits her paintings locally. Her artwork and advice have been featured in Esquire, Elle Décor, Dr. Oz’s Good Life, and Sunset magazines. Her work has been commissioned by Carlos Santana’s Universal Tone Management and highlighted in a documentary for South Korean Broadcasting about low-tech artists who thrive in high-tech environments.