Our Mission is to provide art experiences for all ages and to offer support and creative opportunities for local artists.
Our Vision is to cultivate an environment in which the Arts flourish, grow, and enrich our community.
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Meet the Board Members
This refined group of folks keeps the JCA running smoothly! If you see them around, be sure to thank them for keeping art alive in our town!
Cay Gjertson
Board President
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.
Liliana Becerra Castillo
Vice-President
Liliana Becerra Castillo – Member at Large – Lily is a Latina mother of 2 high school students whose husband works at a local manufacturing facility. She co-instructs the ESL class and helps us connect with the Spanish speaking community through art and cultural activities. She studies Business Administration, is a volunteer at the Food Shelf in Jackson & Heron Lake. Lily also volunteers at the Des Moines Valley Health & Human Services - Community Health Planner.
Janette Simon
Secretary
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.
Dave Schmidt
Treasurer
Dave has been a Jackson resident since 2005 and has been active in the community ever since. He was the News Director at KKOJ for 8 years, the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Jackson, the MC of the Rhythm of the River Festival and was the 2020 Jackson Volunteer of the Year. In his spare time, Dave enjoys a wide variety of music, older movies and spending time with his wife Beth and kids.
Bill Brandt
Farmers Market
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.
Kathy Fransen
Music Consultant
Ferman Woodberry
Gallery Curator
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.
Meet our artists, makers, and instructors
Gayle More
Gypsy Artist/Instructor
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 to have been involved in a few art “hangings” in 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
Eunice Woodberry
Fiber Arts Instructor
I began sewing my own clothes when I was 9 years old. As a teen, I was involved in 4-H and won serval awards for my sewing projects. When I was a young adult my grandmother helped me make my first quilt. It wasn't until years later that I caught the quilting 'bug' and have been expanding my skills for more years than I can count. I also do counted cross-stitch, embroidery, and crochet and am willing to teach in any of these areas. Personally I am exploring watercolor painting, collage quilting and photography.
Everyone is an artist, you just need to find your inner child and explore.
Linda Clarksean
Drawing, Children
Pippa
Therapy Dog
Alix Schmidt
Office Manager
I've been passionate about the arts my whole life! I am especially interested in music, pixel art, fiber arts, and jewelry making. I grew up here in Jackson and am absolutely honored to be working at JCA! I'm usually at the art center when we're open, so feel free to stop in and say hi! Everyone is connected to the arts in some way, sometimes it just takes a while to make the connection in our heads. Keep making this world as colorful as it can be!