Siriaco “Siricasso” Garcia is a Huxley, Iowa-based muralist, event organizer, screenprinter, afterschool art teacher, and father. Guided by a deep love for family and community, he has painted over 40 murals across central Iowa and is known for his bold black outlines and vibrant storytelling.

As the founder of the Middle of NOWhere festival, Siricasso creates platforms for fellow artists to gain exposure and build confidence in sharing their work. Through his art and actions, he remains committed to inspiring others and supporting the next generation of creatives.

As Creative Lead for the Middle of NOWhere festival, Drew is responsible for shaping the festival’s visual identity from concept to execution.

They lead the creative direction across all touchpoints, including branding, promotional materials, stage visuals, merchandise, and digital assets. With a deep understanding of design’s role in storytelling, they craft cohesive and compelling visuals that capture the spirit of the festival and elevate the audience experience.

Kandace Creel Falcón, PhD. is a former tenured Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies who spends their days painting and writing. KCF maintains a research-informed studio practice in their home in the Erhard Hills of rural Otter Tail County, Minnesota.

As the MONfest Wordsmith they oversee the framing and marketing of the event via words. Like a metal or blacksmith, they work words to serve the mission of MONfest like massaging copy elements and carefully and lovingly crafting the Middle of NOWhere newsletter sent directly to subscribers’ inboxes.

Nixson Benitez is the Social Media and Marketing Director for the Middle of NOWhere festival, where he leads digital storytelling and brand strategy to amplify the festival's mission and reach.

I’m all about bringing people together. Whether it’s through a viral post or a packed festival lawn, I use creative marketing to hype up communities, celebrate culture, and make moments that actually stick. I care about keeping things real, making an impact, and building with others — not just for the vibes, but for something that lasts.

Born and raised in Ames, Kaleb Stevens is an experiential producer and poet with a passion for activating spaces and building meaningful community connections in unforgettable ways. His earliest production credits included basement dance battles and high school open mics, and since then he has had the opportunity to produce concerts featuring artists like Davido, Pusha T, Tokischa, and BigXThaPlug.

Kaleb is obsessed with the healing power of music and spoken words and is working to ensure a captivating MONFest stage show featuring the Midwest’s most poignant independent artists.

Kris is a local business owner who helps with making connections and has collaborated with Siri on past local events. She is happy to help with business related items, spreadsheet tracking, and payments.