Board of Directors
Jeff Maldonado
mr.artjam@rocketmail.com
Mr. Maldonado studied under Mario Castillo, Professor of Art at Columbia College Chicago. Castillo is credited with painting the first Latino mural in Chicago. Maldonado's artwork has been shown locally in galleries and museums, including the National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago Cultural Center, The Field Museum, Chicago History Museum, and The Museum of Science and Industry. Nationally, he has shown in New York City’s Artsforum Gallery and the United Nations Building, Detroit’s Chrysler Building, Indianapolis’ Eiteljorg Museum, in San Antonio and San Diego, and at Arizona State University, among other galleries. Internationally, he has been included in gallery exhibits in Acapulco, Chiapas, Mexico, Paris, Istanbul, Montreal, and Nicaragua.
Mr. Maldonado has served on the Advisory Committee for Chicago Artists Month and as Chief Coordinator for 18St :Pilsen Open Studios, managing this public art event. He has been interviewed and featured in print and news media including the Chicago Tribune, Museums Chicago, and many others, and has been interviewed on local and international TV channels. He is the recipient of three Governor’s International Artist Exchange Program Grants; 2002, 2008, and 2009. His most recent commissions were for the films: Monuments Men, 47 Ronin and Mad Max: Fury Road.
Mr. Maldonado has been awarded the 2020 Purple Star Award from After School Matters for excellence and innovation in quality programming.
Currently, Mr. Maldonado is Founder and Executive Director of JDEF Peace Project.
Mr. Maldonado has served on the Advisory Committee for Chicago Artists Month and as Chief Coordinator for 18St :Pilsen Open Studios, managing this public art event. He has been interviewed and featured in print and news media including the Chicago Tribune, Museums Chicago, and many others, and has been interviewed on local and international TV channels. He is the recipient of three Governor’s International Artist Exchange Program Grants; 2002, 2008, and 2009. His most recent commissions were for the films: Monuments Men, 47 Ronin and Mad Max: Fury Road.
Mr. Maldonado has been awarded the 2020 Purple Star Award from After School Matters for excellence and innovation in quality programming.
Currently, Mr. Maldonado is Founder and Executive Director of JDEF Peace Project.
Denise Carrasco-Volk
carrascospirit@hotmail.com
Denise Carrasco-Volk studied at Northern Illinois then went on to study the Meisner Technique in NYC for acting. Some of her acting credits include: "Katsina" at Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix Arizona, Alma Flores in All My Children, girlfriend in "Strays" a independent film, written and directed by Vin Diesel, and was featured in "I Wanna Sex You Up" Color Me Badd.
While in living in Venice Beach Mrs. Volk opened up a successful store "County Thrift Shop" A store for the people. A percentage of the proceeds supported the "Descendants of the Earth" a Non-Profit Organization in California. Mrs. Volk returned to Chicago and began her work with Jeff. The J-Def Peace Project was established with her assistance and is a member of the Board of Directors.
Currently, Mrs. Volk is the In School Suspension Supervisor at Easy Leyden High School. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the A.P.O. Cultural Center, and the J-Def Peace Project Program Manager.
While in living in Venice Beach Mrs. Volk opened up a successful store "County Thrift Shop" A store for the people. A percentage of the proceeds supported the "Descendants of the Earth" a Non-Profit Organization in California. Mrs. Volk returned to Chicago and began her work with Jeff. The J-Def Peace Project was established with her assistance and is a member of the Board of Directors.
Currently, Mrs. Volk is the In School Suspension Supervisor at Easy Leyden High School. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the A.P.O. Cultural Center, and the J-Def Peace Project Program Manager.
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Diana F. Cristino
dcristino111@gmail.com
Diana F. Cristino participated as a J-Def Peace Project apprentice from 2012 to 2015. After graduating from Lane Tech College Prep in 2015, she returned to the J-Def Peace Project to work as an instructor. Diana has been a part of the J-Def team for 6 years and is a member of the Board of Directors. Diana is a graduate of Dominican University where she obtained her master's in Social-Work. Currently, Diana is a social worker at Gads Hill Center.
Kristi Dawson
