Clara Papenfuse (they/them) is a storyteller, dancer, researcher, and communicator. They are originally from Harrisburg, PA, and are now based in Philadelphia. They graduated from the University of Pennsylvania ’24 with a BA in English (conc. Creative Writing), honors in Communication (spec. Culture and Society), and a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. In college they got involved with multiple LGBTQ+ affinity groups, PennBallet, a student literary & arts magazine, civic dialogue, and neurodivergent spaces. Their senior thesis in Communication was on asexual and aromantic spectrum community building, well-being, narratives, and advocacy. They’ve received grant funding for that research and to work as a Development Intern with ArtWell during the summer of 2023.

Clara appreciates the power of ArtWell’s healing-centered educational programs to provide community, visioning, and creative atmospheres for Philly’s youth. They are excited to help expand ArtWell’s capacity as Development Manager.