About
Our Mission: to provide art experiences for all ages, and to offer support and creative opportunities for local artists.
Our Vision: to cultivate an environment in which the Arts flourish, grow, and enrich our community.
Meet the Board Members
This refined group of folks keep the JCA running smoothly! If you see them around, be sure to thank them for keeping art alive in our town!
Linda Clarksean
Board Chair
Linda Titus
Secretary
Dave Schmidt
Treasurer
Bill Brandt
Farmer in Sioux Valley Township, retired vocal music educator, owner of Brandt Gardens & Greenhouse LLC.; Lover of a vast assortment of fresh produce, succulents, cacti, and annual flowers.
Janette Simon
Janette didn't stop censoring her artistic voice until she witnessed the healing powers of creativity in her clients. Now she's dipped deep into the well of her own creativity, appreciating art in all things; nature, architecture, fashion, cuisine, music, literature, and the rest. At Jackson Center for the Arts she's found her tribe.
Kristina Johnson
Melissa Brunk
Cay Gjertson
Cay graduated from high school in Jackson. She spent time in England, the Caribbean, and South America, and teaching in Minneapolis prior to moving back to Jackson in 2018 to be near her parents. She became Interim Executive Director until locating a qualified person in Ferman Woodberry and continues to write grants to support JCA.
Meet our artists, makers, and instructors
Kathy Fransen
Music Consultant
Gayle More
Gypsy Artist/Instructor
Kathy Henke
Classroom Assistant
Born and raised in Jackson mn
I call myself the art Gypsy because I enjoy all types of art ...painting, sculpting, beads, wire, I try it all!!
My arting classes have been anywhere from Bob Ross style, watercolor , acrylic, airbrushing, oils,cloth, yarn, floss...
As a child my parents kept me busy with anything using my hands.
Many times we call out art our therapy!! Making a mess is very relaxing for me!!
I have been lucky Enough have been involved in a few art “hangings” Worthington. Okiboji & Fairmont and Jackson !!!
My belief is that everyone has artistic ability... you just have different talents!!! And you maybe haven’t brought it out yet!!!
Pam Pronk
SPOTS Coordinator
Pippa
Therapy Dog
Alix Schmidt
Social Media Consultant
Born out of a mutual love of art, Alix channels artistic passion and also being a huge nerd to manage our social media. They are very invested in graphic design, fiber arts, pixel art, and music. They can almost always be found doing art, or thinking about art in many ways. As a newer recruit, they're very excited to help such an amazing organization grow and thrive.
Meet our Executive director
I was born and raised in Boston, MA. I grew up surrounded by great
architecture and easy access to art museums. I dabbled with art growing
up but it wasn’t until I moved to Minnesota in 1978 to attend Gustavus
Adolphus College when I began to explore art as a legitimate field of study. I took every art class available except photography and weaving (instructor left before I could take the class). My goal was to experience as much as possible while at college because I figured that the resources would not be available to me after graduation.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Jackson area as the
Executive Director of the Jackson Center for the Arts where “we aim to
cultivate an environment in which the arts flourish, grow, and enrich our
community” is near and dear to my heart.
What Patrons SAY
"Always enjoyable; music and staff are great."
— Marilyn Rossow