About Us | Art, Music & Theatre in Long Island City, Queens, NYC

Mission Statement

OUR MissioN

Culture Lab LIC is a 501(c)(3) formed to be the arts and culture umbrella for Western Queens. We present local, national, and international art of all genres, while supporting New York artists and other nonprofits by providing space, resources and a sense of community.

Operating out of a 12,000 square foot converted warehouse, Culture Lab LIC hosts two fine art galleries, an 80 seat theater, classroom space, an 18,000 square foot outdoor venue, and a robust residency program. Culture Lab LIC is dedicated to upholding, equity, diversity and inclusion across all our platforms.

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Our Team

OUR TEAM

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Edjo Wheeler – Founder and Executive Director

Under Edjo's leadership, Culture Lab LIC has become one of the largest independent arts institutions in Queens, supporting hundreds of artists and welcoming over 50,000 guests annually. The center includes three galleries, four performance stages, a robust residency program, and year-round programming across visual arts, music, theater, and film. During the COVID-19 shutdowns, Edjo transformed an empty parking lot into a dynamic outdoor venue, keeping the arts alive while most of the city went quiet.

Before founding Culture Lab, Edjo co-founded and served as Artistic Director of The Plaxall Gallery, producing over 60 exhibitions and launching performing arts and residency programs that continue today. His wider career spans more than 70 stage productions as a director, producer, and stunt coordinator, along with credits on 20 films, 16 television shows, and 30 documentaries for networks such as FOX, Court TV, and The History Channel.

A former martial arts champion, stuntman, and advanced stage combat instructor, Edjo’s background in movement and live performance shapes much of his curatorial work—especially in interdisciplinary exhibitions and large-scale public art. His sculptures, photographs, and design/build projects have been featured across New York City and nationally, from gallery shows to commissioned works with budgets exceeding $700,000. He is also the co-creator of Trail Dust Town, a live-action stunt theater running continuously since 1997.

As an educator, Edjo has taught at NYU Tisch, the New York Film Academy, the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and Wingspan Arts, and continues to mentor emerging artists through workshops and professional development programs. His creative career has always centered on one goal: building spaces where art and community meet.

Levannah Lebaz – Director of Finance and Development

Levannah Lebaz brings a unique blend of artistic sensitivity and strategic financial leadership to Culture Lab LIC. Born and raised in France, she began her artistic journey at the Conservatory of Music, training in violin, singing, and theatre. Early in her career, Levannah founded and directed a theatre company focused on intimate black box productions where storytelling and human connection take center stage.

Before moving to New York, Levannah worked with AFEV, a nonprofit supporting young kids in last chance schools, helping them build confidence and resilience to say no to negative influences. She led creative mentorship programs and trained university tutors using theatre as a powerful tool to empower voices and foster self-expression.

Levannah earned a scholarship to study musical theatre at the New York Film Academy after representing France at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). There, she deepened her understanding of performance and storytelling. Since then, she has expanded her expertise into nonprofit finance and development.

As Culture Lab’s Director of Finance and Development, Levannah manages budgeting, grant writing, and fundraising with a storyteller’s heart and a strategist’s mind, ensuring sustainable support for the arts and the communities they serve.

Tess Howsam, Artistic Director

Tess Howsam is an international director and installation artist. An artistic maverick, Howsam has worked as a multi-hyphenate artist, director, and curator in NYC for over a decade. Central to Howsam’s work are questions of gender roles, audience integration, and building collaborations across artistic mediums. Howsam is a reoccurring Co-Director on projects with Germany company Das Letze de Klinode. Founding Artistic Director of interdisciplinary immersive theater company Exquisite Corpse Company (ECC), Howsam leads the development of ekphrastic immersive theater. ECC’s interactive piece, ZOETROPE, was the New York Times Critic’s Pick and featured in New Yorker Magazine. Howsam has held artist residencies at Guild Hall (East Hampton), El Centro de las Artes de Querétaro (CEART) Querétaro, Mexico, and Town Stages (NYC).. Her work has been featured throughout NYC at venues such as: The Barrow Group, Governors Island, SoHo Rep, and HERE arts center.

“What I love about Culture Lab LIC is that it is an exciting collage of artistic mediums and a space for everyone. When I first came to Culture Lab LIC, I was drawn to it as an artist and an inspirational space to create and produce new work. As Culture Lab LIC’s Artistic Director, I am proud to serve an organization that champions its community, a community built by international and local artists and our neighbors. ” In 2023, Tess was the recipient of The League of Professional Theatre Women’s Lucille Lortel Award.

MFA - Interdisciplinary Arts: Goddard College, Washington
BA - Theater: Bard College, New York

Dawn DeVito, Director of Events & Marketing

Dawn DeVito joins Culture Lab with an extensive background in hospitality management and a passion for the arts within the community. Born and raised in Flushing, Queens and a self-taught illustrator, photographer and graphic designer, Dawn’s main focus in her art and work is New York City.

When not at Culture Lab, Dawn is a returning CUNY student with a focus in Museum and Gallery studies. Dawn’s main passion project is finding ways the arts can be used for coping with mental illness.

Dawn is excited to be involved with Culture Lab LIC and add her expertise to their growth and success as well as help further their mission through community events and partnerships.

dawndevito.com

@d_a_w_n_dawwn

Levannah Lebaz

Dawn DeVito

Tess Howsam

Staff