OUR TEAM
CLAIRE McKENNEY
Co-Owner & Workshop Host
Claire has been in love with art and creativity as long as she can remember, and traces her entrepreneurial roots back to the wire wrapped rings she used to sell back in elementary school. Claire received her degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from St. Bonaventure University, where she also met her now husband and Right Mind Co-Owner Dan. After that they moved to Hawaii for a couple of years where she reconnected with her artistic roots. A Buffalo native, she and Dan drove from LA back to NY after their tropical getaway and she fell in love with the Syracuse area (Dan's hometown). Claire was owner of the local branch of a corporate paint and sip before dreaming up Right Mind Syracuse, and couldn't be happier connecting people to their creative outlets and connecting with other local artists. When she's not painting or dabbling in all the creative things, you can probably catch her on an outdoor adventure with Dan, their two kids and official Right Mind Assistants Kai and Chloe, and their two rescue dogs Ziggy and Yogi.
DAN McKENNEY
Co-Owner, Numbers Ninja & Behind-the-Scenes VIP
Dan
MARY MERCURIO
Workshop Host & Right Mind OG
I grew up in the city of Syracuse in the historic Strathmore area. I can remember receiving a red easel for Christmas when I was five and that started my blossoming love of art which has lasted over the decades. I moved to Buffalo after high school where I attended SUNY College at Buffalo and studied Art Education. Once returning to Syracuse I began teaching art in schools and local organizations. Currently I am teaching in a middle school program. I have always loved painting. When I met Claire and was introduced to Right Mind I knew I found my favorite artists and I love working with them.I also have an art site of my own- Sugar Moon Artistry. I currently live in the Syracuse area with my two sons, my husband Pat, and my two dogs. My favorite things are painting, gardening and plants, spending time with my family, and camping in the Adirondacks.