Staff
Stelli Munnis, MA, Executive Director
stelli@calartsandletters.org
click here to download Stelli's CV
Stelli has a deep love for the arts and she is dedicated to creating a fun and positive atmosphere for contemporary writers and artists to be seen, heard, and valued. Stelli has held high-level positions in publishing and other industries. Her business success stems from an intuitive concern for people: how they think, how they feel, and how they grow. Those who work with her regard her as a kind of wayfinder, the person who surveys the terrain, explores the boundaries, and charts new territory.
Stelli was born in Managua, Nicaragua. She spent most of her life in the United States (Texas, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Florida, and now California) and she has also lived in Nicaragua and England. She has a BA in economics from the University of Florida and a MA in psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. She is the author of The Kali Guide: A Directory of Resources for Women.
Jeff Munnis, MFA, Publisher & Managing Editor
jeff@calartsandletters.org
click here to download Jeff's CV
As Publisher and Managing Editor, Jeff is responsible for selecting the writers CIAL publishes and for devising the programs for artists and writers.
Jeff thrives on bringing different perspectives together in dialogue through literature and art. His interests are in publishing contemporary poets and writers, in expanding Latin American and Hispanic literature in translation, exploring the connections between mysticism, psychology, and poetry, and in expanding the dialogue between artists and scholars. CIAL grew out of his desire to create a unique community of writers and scholars willing to explore new ideas in publishing and education, combining elements of prior literary traditions with new and emerging ideas.
Jeff grew up in Titusville, Florida next to the Indian River. He is a graduate of the University of Florida (BS) and Goddard College (MFA) in Vermont.
Jessica Duttlinger, Creative Director
jessica@calartsandletters.org
Jessica is the Creative Director and one of the founders of the CIAL. She holds a BFA from the University of Illinois and has been working as a graphic designer in the magazine and book publishing world for over a decade. Jessica is the designer of the Institute's poetry journal, Black Zinnias, as well as the lead designer of the books the Institute produces.
Jessica first met Jeff, the Publisher and Managing Editor of CIAL, by chance, when he came in to speak to the publisher of the company where she was working at the time. She overheard him mention his plans of starting a literary magazine and, having an interest in such a venture herself, copied down his e-mail on the sly. She sent him a note, and her role in the organization grew from there.
Believing that everything happens for a reason, Jessica considers herself very fortunate to be part of the talented team of people who make up CIAL. She admires and believes in each of the group's members and is proud to share in their common vision.
Jessica lives in the Berkeley hills with her husband, Todd, and their cat, Curtis. She rarely gets enough sleep, but she always wakes up happy.
Jennifer Dombek, Assistant Editor
jennifer@calartsandletters.org
Jennifer wears many hats for CIAL. In addition to editing, she keeps everyone at CIAL smiling; her warmth and sense of humor are invaluable. One of Jennifer's passions is film. She has loved movies since she was a little girl. The cinematic magic that can be created on-screen can be used to enlighten, inspire, and just plain entertain. She combines her film production knowledge with artistic vision and life experiences to create her own haunting images and stories, and share them with her audience. She’s written and produced short films. “I believe in the truth movies can inspire. The moving image may be an illusion, but the message should speak to people. Plus nothing beats a good movie and buttered popcorn.”
Board
Bob Hinrichs, Board Member
bob@calartsandletters.org
Prior to working at ISL, Robert graduated from U.C. Hastings College of the Law and was licensed to practice law in California. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kansas with an Honors Degree in English literature and writing and has independently released two albums, Bob is Famous and Soulever. Since his childhood in Lincoln, NE, programming his Atari 400 at age 9, Robert has always had an intense interest in computer technology and its ability to improve the way people can learn and accomplish their goals and dreams.
Vanessa Sharp, Board Member
vanessa@calartsandletters.org
Vanessa Sharp is a creative, fast-thinking editor and writer with a diverse background in online and print publishing and marketing. Vanessa started off as an assistant editor, working on the pilot issue of Microsoft.com Magazine, and then was a fashion writer for Nordstrom and Eddie Bauer, where she helped to launch several of their earlier websites. She worked as a magazine editor for lifestyle publications, including San Francisco magazine and ANG newspapers. Currently, Vanessa edits and writes freelance for Mountain Travel Sobek, a trekking company that takes small groups to remote areas around the world, and EMC Creative, a Dublin-based advertising agency.
Jessica Duttlinger (see bio above)
Jeff Munnis (see bio above)
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When We Were Young
Stelli
Stelli's favorite thing in the world used to be her birthdays (November 1st) because it gave her an excuse to run around with her friends, laughing and playing, and eating whatever she wanted while her mom put on a fabulous party. She loved opening her gifts while others oohed and aahed at her latest acquisitions. The highlight of her parties was the ceremonial beating of the piñata filled with yummy sweets and treats for all! Her most memorable birthday was in New Orleans at the Audubon Park with the beautiful oak and weeping willow trees with Spanish moss draping off the branches. The trees made her feel alive and free to run and yell and simply be herself.
As far back as Stelli can remember, she was an expert at directing the other children in the neighborhood. They listened intently to her as she gave each person directions on what to do when. The children were good followers and she was a good leader who rewarded those who obeyed with extra attention and sometimes candy. Stelli later went on to become an avid collector of Strawberry Shortcake dolls and Scratch-n-Sniff stickers. Her most prized stickers included the Skunk, Pop Corn, and Coca Cola. Stelli also specialized in pranks. Her favorite was knocking on the doors of her neighbors and leaving a stinky napkin (a special potion that smelled like rotten eggs she would buy from the pranks store) on the ground with the words "Smell Me" on it. Her mother never learned of her prankster talents, until much later, of course.
Jeff
Jeff’s father was the owner and manager of a trailer park in Titusville, Florida, next to US Highway 1, which is where he lived from birth until he turned 18. Most of the people that lived in the park were retired from “up north.” He says, “It was like having dozens of grandparents. I roamed the park, made tree forts, played on the ball fields at Sand Point, went fishing, and probably annoyed everyone that lived there at one time or another.”
Jeff loved uniforms. His brother bought him a khaki uniform from the National Guard store. One birthday he received a complete football uniform with cleats and pads. The first day he wore his football uniform he fell down and the shoulder pads prevented him from rolling over to get up. He was stuck and cried while everyone laughed. When he went to bed he would refuse to take off whatever uniform he had on. His favorite adventure was to go down to the Indian River and throw rocks in the water. His mother’s rule was that he had to get home before the streetlights came on.
By the time Jeff was 12, he and his friends would sneak out at night and walk up and down the streets of downtown Titusville. He says, “You dreaded getting caught by the police because they wouldn’t take you to the police station: chances were pretty high they knew your parents and would take you home.”
Jessica
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