We’re excited to introduce you to the team that makes SPAACES what it is.
At SPAACES, it’s not just the art that defines us—it’s the people who make it all happen. From curating and installing exhibitions to engaging visitors and supporting artists, our staff brings creativity, skill, and dedication to every program. Their behind-the-scenes efforts are the backbone of the gallery, and we’re proud to celebrate the individuals who keep SPAACES thriving.
Asya Stuart is a dynamic marketing and community engagement professional with a passion for cultural programming, family initiatives, and nonprofit growth. Born in Russia, Asya holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Russian State University for the Humanities. Her career began in Moscow, where she served as Education Department Manager at The Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, developing innovative programs that connected contemporary art with diverse audiences.
After several years working in the arts and cultural sector, Asya moved to Hong Kong, where she lived with her family before settling in Sarasota, Florida. Together with her husband, she co-founded Unit Bricks, an educational toy company focused on high-quality building blocks that inspire creative play.
In Sarasota, Asya founded the Sarasota Children’s Museum, a community-focused initiative that blended her expertise in education, arts, and family engagement. She also served as Project Manager at Dream Large, leading community-driven initiatives that foster social impact and collaboration. Currently, Asya is the Communications Manager for SPAACES, a nonprofit contemporary art gallery and artist studio collective, where she specializes in authentic messaging, immersive programming, and building strong community relationships.
A mother of three, Asya brings a global perspective and heartfelt dedication to nurturing creative communities, with experience working across multicultural environments both locally and internationally.
Brianna van Muijen is an emerging art professional and honors student at St. Petersburg College. Originally captivated by 17th-century Dutch art, Brianna’s passion for art history was sparked when she moved to the Netherlands to be with her now-husband. It was a big leap, as it was her first time in Europe. Her time living abroad deeply shaped her, both personally and professionally, strengthening her connection to the arts and broadening her global perspective.
While her academic focus began with Dutch Golden Age painting, her experience interning at SPAACES Contemporary Art Gallery inspired her to pivot toward contemporary art. This hands-on immersion into the vibrant, ever-evolving world of living artists reshaped her career path. Brianna now serves as a permanent staff member at SPAACES, contributing her growing expertise to exhibitions and artist programs.
In her free time, Brianna loves to write, read, and dive deeper into studying art across all periods. With aspirations to work in leading galleries across the globe, she is dedicated to building meaningful connections with artists and art professionals worldwide. She plans to return to Europe in the coming years to further her professional art career and continue building a bridge between historical and contemporary art on an international scale.
Yajaira Urzua-Reyes is a visual artist based in Sarasota, Florida. Urzua-Reyes holds a BA from New College of Florida with a concentration in Studio Art (2021). Her work primarily consists of oil paintings of foliage highlighting the complex beauty found in nature.
“My work shifts between figurative paintings, focused on personal relationships and experiences, and large-scale botanical pieces centered around the rich visual language of plants. Through oils I am able to capture organic intricate patterns, colors and layered textures.”
In 2019 Urzua-Reyes was a recipient of the Women Contemporary Artists Scholarship and attended The New York Academy of Art Summer Residency. Since then her work has been exhibited in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and at the Tampa Museum of Art as part of the Skyway Exhibition: A Contemporary Collaboration.
Urzua-Reyes is a proud member of SARTQ and Petticoat Painters.
Edwin J. Culver, marketing consultant for SPAACES, is also a classical guitarist, composer, and music educator. Originally from Flushing, Michigan, he taught himself guitar at 16 before earning a BA in Music Performance from Hillsdale College and continuing advanced studies under Tom Patterson at the University of Arizona. He later moved to Florida to teach K–12 music history, theory, and composition at The Classical Academy, where he developed an original curriculum fostering music appreciation and composition.
Edwin is currently finalizing a comprehensive music curriculum for classical schools nationwide while continuing advanced studies with Dr. Eduardo Minozzi Costa. He writes for Counter-Melody.com, lectures on 20th-century composers at South Manatee Library, and performs regularly at CasAntica Ristorante and at private events and recital halls. As a composer, he blends classical and modern techniques to create works that are intricate, expressive, and captivating.
