Ian Factor - President and Executive Director

Ian Factor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He received his formal art training at the DeCordova Museum School in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the Museum of Fine Arts School, and the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. He continued his education at the Art Students League and the National Academy in New York City. Factor earned his BFA from the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University and his MFA from the New York Academy of Art where he graduated Cum Laude.

His work has been exhibited and featured in galleries and museums worldwide, including New York City, Los Angeles, Boca Raton, Boston, Oregon, Cape Cod, Maine, Paris, Florence, Siena, and Pietrasanta Italy. His work is held in private and public collections internationally.

A professor of fine art, illustration, design, and photography for over 20 years, Factor has taught and run programs in universities and academies from New York City to Guangxi China. In 2014 while at Central Oregon Community College as the Coordinator and Lead Instructor of Satellite Campus Art Programs, Factor founded the Bend Academy of Art in Bend, Oregon. After more than 7 years in Oregon, he returned home to the East Coast and in the Spring of 2021 bought the old church at 67 Main Street in Bridgton, Maine to fulfill his long-time dream of running a non-profit center for the arts.

Factor's personal website: ianfactor.com

Brent Renison - Secretary

Brent Renison is an immigration attorney who has represented employers and key employees with business-based immigration since 1997. He is top listed in Best Lawyers in America, is top ranked as a leading individual by London-based Chambers and Partners, listed in Who's Who Legal as one of the world's leading Corporate Immigration lawyers, and is named by Law & Politics as a Super Lawyer.  He is the recipient of numerous national and local awards including the Ninth Annual Daniel Levy Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Immigration Law (2010), The Oregon State Bar President's Public Service Award (2011), a Presidential Award from the American Immigration Lawyers Association for Outstanding Achievement in Mentoring and Litigation on behalf of immigrant rights (2007), and the Gerald H. Robinson Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Oregon AILA Chapter (2007). 

Brent served on the Board of Directors for Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) from 2005 to 2008, and acted as pro bono counsel for their Time Based Art (TBA) festival from 2004 to 2016, helping to bring international artists from around the globe. He represents world renowned authors, artists, musicians, and other creative professionals. He has been a Board member of Factor Fine Art since 2019.

Susie Guthro - Treasurer

Susie Guthro is a former company member of Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre where she performed corps de ballet and soloist roles. She has danced with Indianapolis Ballet, Boston Early Music Festival, Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble, Margot Parsons/ Illuminations, and The Portland Ballet (Maine). Susie was a scholarship student at Joffrey Ballet School’s trainee program and has studied with Boston Ballet School, Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Pennsylvania Ballet School, and North Carolina School of the Arts. She received her early training at The Portland Ballet in Maine. Susie is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary- Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. With over 20 years of experience as an instructor of classical ballet for all ages, Susie recently served as Dance Department Chair and faculty member of South Shore Conservatory in Massachusetts. 

Susie is currently the Bridgton Community Resilience Builder at The Opportunity Alliance and serves as chair of the Town of Bridgton Arts & Culture Subcommittee. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts and holds a BA in Arts Management and Dance Education.