Staff Members

Anthony Caponi
Founder and Artistic Director
Anthony Caponi is responsible for the aesthetic vision that guides the programs and future development of the park. Anthony, sculptor and professor emeritus of Macalester College, has over 40 years of teaching and administrative experience as chairman of the Macalester art department. He has dedicated himself to the physical and organizational creation of Caponi Art Park for the past 30 years.

Cheryl Caponi
Executive Director
Cheryl Caponi manages the daily operations of Caponi Art Park including program development, fundraising, and financial management. She has a B.F.A. from the University of Minnesota, and has been with the Art Park since its inception. Mrs. Caponi has assisted the artistic director in all aspects of the park and fully understands the creative philosophy and goals of the park. She has completed course work in nonprofit management through the Center for Nonprofit Management at St. Thomas University and others.

Jenna Strank
Communications Coordinator
Jenna Strank manages Caponi Art Park’s communications. She sends out press releases, manages the website and social media outlets, as well as coordinates the e-newsletter. She has a B.A. in biology with an emphasis in media studies and environmental studies from St. Olaf College and has served in communications roles for several local nonprofit organizations, including the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.

Molly Swailes
Program and Volunteer Coordinator
Molly Swailes coordinates park programs and activities, schedules tours, and works directly with volunteers at Caponi Art Park and Learning Center. Molly has had a strong inclination towards the arts ever since she was a child, and she continued to pursue this passion through college, where she earned B.A.s in Art and Architecture from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She began part-time work for Caponi Art Park in 2010 giving tours, teaching arts activities, and assisting with programs.