Meet The Team

Our team brings together a wide range of perspectives and experiences, from visual art and movement to education and event planning, each contributing a unique skill set. What unites us? A deep belief in the transformative power of creativity to solve problems, inspire action, and connect people with causes that need their support.

Taylor Elliott

Operations Director

Taylor Elliott is the current Operations Director of Basin Arts, a dynamic non-profit arts organization dedicated to cultivating creativity and community through diverse programming. An accomplished arts administrator with over a decade of experience directing large-scale events and managing complex operations, she brings a rare fusion of logistical precision and artistic sensitivity to the role. Taylor also serves as the Event Director of Rockin' On The Runway, an annual fundraising event for St. Mary's Residential Community & Services, home to over 200 individuals with developmental disabilities.

A lifelong dancer, she began her journey in the arts through movement—an experience that deeply informs her commitment to supporting artists and fostering accessible, impactful cultural experiences.

Clare Cook

Founder & Creative Director

Clare Cook is a choreographer, educator, and arts leader based in Lafayette, LA. After earning her MFA in Dance from NYU Tisch and working in NYC for a decade, she returned home to found Basin Arts, a nonprofit arts incubator fostering sustainable creative practice. Clare creates dance works, leads community collaborations, and advocates for innovative arts models across Louisiana.

Her work spans choreography, teaching, and arts administration, with performances and programs impacting countless organizations. A passionate community-builder and proud mom of two, Clare continues to shape a vibrant, inclusive arts ecosystem rooted in connection, creativity, and care.

Dirk Guidry

BARE Walls Program Director

Dirk Guidry, Lafayette, Louisiana based artist, creates large-scale abstract paintings, live event paintings, portraits, and murals. A 2012 BFA Painting graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Guidry's work is inspired by the Acadiana culture and his distinctive style is evident in his portraits and murals. His studio provides live painting experiences for nearly 55 events and weddings annually nationwide.

Guidry's work appears in private collections across the US. He has participated in The Other Art FairDallas, received ArtSpark funding, was the 2022 Festival International de Louisiane Visual Artist, and is a 2025 Top 20 Under 40 Acadiana Award honoree. He serves on the Louisiana State Arts Council and co-founded the BareWalls art subscription service.

Bethany LeJeune

Visual Arts Curator

Bethany LeJeune is an artist whose work consists of mixed media sculptures, installations, and video. She received her BFA at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2019 and her MFA at the Vermont College of Fine Arts low residency program in 2022. Her work revolves around notions of care in relation to Southwest Louisiana where she’s from and often takes on themes of femininity, familial relationships, and bodily disfigurement. LeJeune holds curatorial practice with the Basin Arts collective in Lafayette, Louisiana, is an adjunct professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and has worked for major art institutions in the area including the Hilliard Art Museum and the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Savannah Raley

Operations & Engagement Manager

Savannah Raley is a digital media and communications specialist from Shreveport, LA. She holds a BA in Strategic Communications with a concentration in Advertising and an AA in Management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. As an arts enthusiast, Savannah focuses on creating strategic content for organizations that prioritize the arts and the environment. A former intern at Basin Arts, she is passionate about promoting content and engaging with the Acadiana artistic community. Savannah showcases her current and past projects on her creative page, @raleycreativeco, where you can explore her digital portfolio and connect for collaborations.