Meet the CREATIVE MUSSEL Team
Jay B. Kalagayan [ MeSseD creator, writer, and publisher ]
Jay is the writer and publisher of Creative Mussel. His work has been published with Corpse Flower Press, Sol-Con Anthology, Columbus Scribbler and Citybeat and performed at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative and Cincinnati Fringe Festival.
Jay is a Filipino-American creator, entrepreneur, non profit fundraiser and arts advocate in Cincinnati for the last twenty seven years. A Xavier University graduate from Erie, PA, Jay is the founder of Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and one of the founders of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. He served as executive director of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus from 2021-23. He is a board member of Asianati, an organization that celebrates Asian food and culture through stories, news and events. His major influences are his wife, Jan, and daughters, Meggie and Fi.
Dylan Speeg [ MeSseD illustrator ]
Born in Cincinnati in 1971, in which he has lived his entire life. He attended The Art Academy of Cincinnati in the early '90s and has worked as a portrait painter and illustrator ever since. He is also a musician in the band Heavy Hinges. His major influences are lurid pulp novel covers, Robert Williams, R. Crumb and other comic book artists. His spray paint stenciled illustrations for The CityBeat “Best Of Cincinnati” issue received the Best Illustrated Series Award from the Cleveland Press Club. He likes to use his hometown, Cincinnati, and the people he knows as subject matter. He works nights as a bartender and performs standup comedy on occasion.
Geoff Raker [ MeSseD Art Designer & Designer ]
Is a passionate designer and photographer with over 28 years experience. Got his start with Jay at Know Theatre of Cincinnati creating the brand, posters, sets and helping out with anything and everything. Has a long career in design working at CityBeat, F&W Media, Formica, and Regal/Rexnard. Currently a Group Art Supervisor at Relevate Health. His passion for art and design always shines through in all his projects. He always looks forward to working on projects with Jay, for his enthusiasm and child-like wonder he brings to every project they work on together.
Xu Vien Chau [ Lilliput Character Model and Engagement Associate ]
A cultural hybrid, with roots from Southeast Asia and Saint Petersburg Florida. As of recent, she calls the Midwest home. A student of the University of Cincinnati, she is finishing up her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Political Science. She is passionate about immigrant storytelling, social equity, and environmental justice. A proud literary nerd, some of her literary heroes includes: Marjane Satrapi, Chang-rae-lee, and Viet Thanh Nguyen.
Clint Basinger [ The Intrusion and MeSseD illustrator ]
The creator, writer, and artist of Cosmic Moustache Comics. Through CMC, Clint has printed 25 comics (and counting). Creating a universe full of heroic & humorous characters such as, Mummynaut, Johhnysaurrus-Rex, Skull Spy, Merlinja, and many more. Read Cosmic Moustache Comics, and fill your moustache with Space-Magic! Check out: CosmicMoustacheComics.com
Kay Hammer [ Editor ]
Kay is a performing arts professional by day and a comic editor by night. They've been working with Jay in a variety of capacities since 2008, where Kay started their career at Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Kay is now Director of Production at FringeArts in Philadelphia, and is thrilled to be able to continue supporting Jay's storytelling through their writing and editing skills.
Rose Padilla [ Editor ]
Rose is an English PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on popular culture and visual narratives of the U.S., including current and former island territories like the Philippines.
Mākialani Kanewa-Mariano [ Historian ]
Mākialani holds a Master’s degree in History with a specialization in Museum Studies from Cleveland State University, where she also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art History in 2023. Originally from the island of Kaua‘i, she spent much of her childhood in Duluth, Minnesota, and now resides in Lakewood, Ohio. Her passion for education, art, and history fuels her commitment to creating accessible and inclusive public history. She is especially dedicated to promoting transparency and representation in the preservation and interpretation of the past. Mākialani has contributed works to Cleveland Historical and Cleveland Voices, interviewing and transcribing oral histories from public artists across the Cleveland area. She currently serves as the Educator and Outreach Manager at the Shaker Historical Society in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Contributing Artists
Gina Marrone
An illustrator, animator, and character designer from Cincinnati. A recent graduate of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, she is a visual storyteller and writer who has done freelance character design for Noble Ronin Music and other clients, as well as prop design for Flaming Medusa Studios and PBS Kids. She is also a voice actor for Epipheo, and an all-around entertainment nerd.
Her work can be found at: http://www.ginamarrone.com/
Creative Mussel Support
Byron Hutchins [ Engagement Associate ]
Doug Borntrager [ Video Design ]
Kay R. Hammer [ Editor ]
Annie Wadman [ Editor ]
Emily Cottingham [ Editor ]
Kat Klockow [ Editor ]
Jackson Cotner [ Marketing and Content Associate ]
Jasmine Thompson [ Photography ]
Victor Kirkbride [ Intern Spring, Summer 2024, Associate Fall 2024, Experiential Explorations Program (EEP) Summer 2025 ]
Hailey Clemens [ Intern Spring 2025 & Content Associate Fall 2025 ]
Eva Robles [ Intern Summer 2025 ]
Will Lopes [ Intern Winter 2025-2026 ]
Whitney Do [ Intern Spring 2024 ]
Ryan Kenter [ Intern 2021-23 ]
Effluent Advisers
Jan, Meggie & Fi Kalagayan
David Mack
Andrew Beardsley & Maika Llaneza
Peter Bell
Mark Bendure
Tim Fuller
Helene Herbert
Matthew Brendan Szekeresh
Brendan McEachern
Mat Pentecost
David Powell
Steve Ramos
Chris Smith
Jeff Syroney
Annie Wadman
Christina Wald
Questions? Click here to contact us!
