Meet the team

A doodle of a smiling round character holding a paintbrush and paint bucket, surrounded by stars.

Artolution Leadership

Meet our co-founders: Since 2008, co-founders Dr. Max Frieder, Ed.D and Joel Bergner—first independently and later jointly— have led hundreds of Artolution community-based public art projects around the world. Artolution became incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 2016 with a focus on developing sustainable programs in communities where we have been active, to be facilitated by local artists trained by Frieder and Bergner.

Joel Bergner
Co-founder, Artistic and Programming Director
@joelartista

Joel Bergner is a mural artist whose community projects have spanned 12 years and 30 countries, from the favelas of Brazil to prisons in the US; Syrian refugee camps to informal settlements in Kenya and India. His work aims to create platforms for vulnerable young people to shape their own narratives, strengthen resilience and promote social inclusion. Joel developed his methodology based on his dual background as a counselor for traumatized youth and as a public artist. In his role as co-founder of Artolution, he has trained many young artists on best practices in community art, and developed and implemented global programs.

A group of children and an adult in front of a colorful mural. The adult is wearing a beanie and a vest with paint marks, interacting and laughing with the children. The mural features vibrant abstract designs in multiple colors.

Dr. Max Frieder, Ed.D
Co-founder, Creative and Partnerships Director
@maxfrieder

Max Frieder is an artist and educator from Denver, Colorado who is based in New York City. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with honors and a degree in Painting with a focus in “Community Based Public Arts” and received his Education Masters in “Community Arts” in Art and Art Education from the Teachers College, Columbia University. He has worked with communities in different contexts across the globe. His work ranges from community building in the refugee crisis, hospital workshops, abuse, and addiction counseling through art, trauma relief, reconciliation, and conflict resolution.

Marine Arango
Executive Director

Marine Arango joined Artolution in 2024 and has led its global operations since, working closely with country teams and strengthening the systems that allow programs to run safely and consistently across countries. She brings deep experience in mental health and psychosocial support, which sits at the heart of Artolution's work.