MEET OUR TEAM

jason andreasen

president/ceo

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Jason Andreasen has served as Baton Rouge Gallery’s President/CEO for more than 15 years, having first joined the organization in 2007. Born and raised in Miami, he relocated to Louisiana's capital city in 2005 and has enjoyed calling it home ever since. He is a passionate champion and advocate for the arts in Baton Rouge and in Louisiana. During his time with the gallery, he has led the organization to new heights in Artist participation, attendance, programming, charitable giving, art sales, and much more.

Jason was named one of 225 Magazine’s “People to Watch in the Capital Region” in 2022, a member of the Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2020, and honored by The Business Report’s 40 Under Forty in 2015. In 2024 he received the John W. Barton Sr. Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. He regularly speaks on the cultural and economic impact of the arts in our area and continues to advocate for the power they have today and the impact that could be realized with increased support.

Gwen Palagi

development director

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From rescuing birds of prey in Southwestern Montana to managing a community radio station on the island of Kauai, Gwen has worked in the non-profit sector for more than twenty years. Soon after moving to Baton Rouge in 2015, she discovered Baton Rouge Gallery during a First Wednesday Opening and has been a super fan ever since.  She is thrilled to bring her passion for community engagement and her love for BRG to the Development Director position.

Prior to joining the BRG team, Gwen worked as the membership manager at WRKF, Baton Rouge Public Radio.  She also volunteers for Companion Animal Alliance, the parish animal shelter and serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Baton Rouge Chapter.   

kelsey Livingston

director of exhibitions

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As an artist, Kelsey earned her MFA in Studio Art from Louisiana State University and her BFA from California State University Long Beach. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and she has been awarded grants and scholarships through the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, CERF+, and others. Prior to joining BRG, Kelsey served as the Director of Visual Arts at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Kelsey also has a record of service with area nonprofit organizations including The National Alliance on Mental Illness.

At Baton Rouge Gallery, Kelsey is the Director of Exhibitions, and further develops the quality, engagement, and reach of the gallery’s monthly exhibitions and year-round cultural programming.

HANNAH DEES

Events & sponsorships Manager

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With nearly 15 years of experience in hospitality, Hannah has dedicated her career to serving the Baton Rouge community. Her deep connection to the area stems from her extensive work with small, locally-owned businesses and restaurants. This experience fuels her drive to cultivate meaningful relationships and create memorable, positive experiences. As a devoted advocate for community and connection, she eagerly anticipates every opportunity to facilitate these aspirations for all who collaborate with BRG.

CHARLIE CHAMPAGNE

communications manager

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Charlie Champagne has called Baton Rouge home since graduating from the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication in 2015, where they studied digital advertising and minored in visual communications. Their passion for photography has led to collaborations with organizations ranging from The Walt Disney Co. to local institutions such as Country Roads Magazine, The Advocate, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the LSU Museum of Art, and the LSU School of Theatre. Most recently, Champagne served as director of marketing and communications for Capital Area United Way and founded Leur Maison, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA+ artists, makers and creators in the Baton Rouge area.

OUR VOLUNTEERS MAKE SO MUCH HAPPEN!