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ArtWorks is a non-profit, community arts education center. We are committed to providing all people in our community with quality arts education. Through dance, theatre, music, and visual arts, led by passionate and qualified teachers, we aim to cultivate imagination and ingenuity and to nurture creative expression, inspiring our children and citizens to reach their full potential.
Specific goals include:
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Summer camps for children
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Weekly classes and workshops in dance, music, visual art, and theatre
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Early Arts Immersion PreK & Kindergarten
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Offer master classes in the arts taught by professional artists
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Be a hub for local artists
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Offer space where local artists can showcase their work
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Partner with our local schools and community organizations to make arts education and arts experiences available to everyone in our community
ArtWorks on Main
94 North Main Street
Jamestown, KY
ArtWorks on Main is home to our Visual Arts studio and Smart Start (Arts Immersion PreK).
ArtWorks on the Square
310 Monument Square
Jamestown, KY
ArtWorks on the Square is home to our dance and aerial silk studio. This location also houses our main office, music and theatre classes, and rehearsal space.
TESTIMONIALS
"I can't begin to describe what an amazing place and program ArtWorks is for Russell County. The inspired creations made and experienced by kids all across our community during the last three weeks of camp is nothing short of incredible. Russell County is fortunate to have this kind of cultural opportunity available for all families. Art, music, dance, and theater WORKS!"
Lindsey Westerfield
Russell County Public Library Director
"Excellent environment for the children, beautiful installations, wonderful teachers, a place to make new friends!!!!!..My kids loved the art camp, they enjoyed the music, acting, hands on arts and crafts. Couldn't wait for the following day to go and do it all over again!! You guys did an amazing job!!! Thank you for bringing a much needed program like this to Jamestown Ky!!!"
Irma Brown
Camp ArtWorks Parent
"ArtWorks is a wonderful asset to our little town of Jamestown. We have so many talented children so this is a perfect place to help encourage their strengths and talents. The teachers and volunteers were excellent. My little girl loved every minute and couldn't wait to do it all again the next day! Thank you, thank you!"
Jamie Shearer
ArtWorks Parent
Parent comments from our 2022 Summer Camp Survey:
"All the activities were wonderful - my daughter especially loved the addition of sewing this year! As a parent, the greatest positive impact for me was the staff. Every afternoon I could see my daughter’s confidence grow just a little more - it was so apparent the ArtWorks staff had spoken life into her and encouraged her, teaching her to appreciate what she could do and not compare herself to others. Thank you all so much for that!"
"Camp gave her more confidence to speak in front of others. We love everything about Camp ArtWorks!
"The teachers are always happy and positive no matter what!"
"My daughter enjoyed learning the fun activities that the staff planned for. She enjoyed making new friends and making projects. My daughter enjoyed the camp and only had positive things to share about the camp!"
"I think you all are doing great and really think outside the box. My daughter had the best time!"
"The biggest positive impact of the art camp on my child was exposure to different forms of art. My child loved painting. Art camp boosted her self-esteem for sure ."
"Art camp gave him a fun place to be himself and learn new things he doesn’t usually get to do."
Board of Trustees
President: Cheryl Adams
Vice President: Donnie Wilkerson
Treasurer: John Adams
Secretary: Moria Painter
Kasey Hoskins
Marisa Ramsey
OUR STAFF
Cheryl Palonis Adams
Executive Director & Dance Instructor
Cheryl has been dancing from early childhood, trying out steps from musicals and the Mickey Mouse Club on the fireplace hearth. Inspired by her high school dance teacher to pursue further study, Cheryl went on to minor in dance as an undergraduate and then earned her Master of Fine Arts in Modern Dance degree from the University of Utah. She is also a Certified Movement Analyst and Barre Above© Exercise instructor. Before settling in Russell County, Cheryl taught dance and English in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools for over 30 years. She and her husband live on their farm in Ono with cows, a horse, Charlie, and their dog, Annie. Cheryl loves dancing, traveling, reading, and swimming in beautiful Lake Cumberland. She serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Dance Education, Dance Education in Practice, and the Laban-Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies’ Journal.
ArtWorks was her dream for the community, and she enjoys teaching, working with SmartStart, and experiencing the brilliant artists participating in classes, camps, and workshops.
Marisa Ramsey
Education Director, Aerial Silk Instructor, Vocal Performance Instructor, and Smart Start Lead Teacher
Marisa has been singing, playing, and performing since she was five. Her performing arts background is varied and features vocal performance, piano, percussion, acting, dancing, and aerial silks. Marisa holds a BA and MA from Lindsey Wilson College. She is a former elementary school teacher and current home educator with 20 years of teaching experience. Marisa loves and serves our community through various groups, organizations, boards, and volunteer opportunities. She loves art, teaching, her family, good books, hot tea, and her garden.
Leah Anderson
Director of Visual Arts Programming and Smart Start Lead Teacher
Leah has enjoyed creating, storytelling, and imaginative play since she was a little girl. She continued to enjoy these things in community theater with a little acting on stage and more so with set and costume design off stage. She is thrilled to bring these elements along with others to ArtWorks. Leah holds a BA from Midway University and pursued her MA from University of the Cumberlands. She has over 11 years of teaching experience. She is active in her church and community by serving on various committees and boards. She loves her family, the arts, teaching, sewing, cooking, and learning. Leah is thankful to be a part of such a wonderful program where children, their creativity, and their uniqueness are all celebrated.
Jessalyn Bunch
Teaching Assistant
Jessalyn provides help and support for almost all of our classes. She is the teaching assistant for Smart Start, Visual Arts, camps, and workshops.
"I love art as a way to explore my own creativity and unique ideas. It’s also a beautiful way to give others joy in their lives. I’ve been blessed to have been a part of ArtWorks for several years now. I love working here and being with people who share the same passions and goals as I do." Ms. Jess lives with he husband Jordan and her fur babies Boomy and Gribble. She enjoys cooking and taking walks from her house to the lake.
Tristan Carnes
Visual Arts Instructor
Tristan is a Russell County native that has enjoyed creating and making since childhood. Although his career now as a hospital clinical pharmacist can tend towards the technical and analytical, he feels it is vital to make time to create and enjoy art. He particularly enjoys watercolor, linocut block printing, and woodworking. He and his wife Michelle live in Jamestown with their two sons Marshall and Foster. We are tremendously grateful for Tristan and Michelle and their love for the arts and ArtWorks!
Genevieve Baughman
Yoga Instructor
"Hello, my name is Genevieve. I am a resident of Russell County and have been all of my life. I am also a personal fitness coach. I am a very active person and have a huge family with several children. It is important for me to stay healthy, flexible, and mobile in life for my children so that I can be here to experience life with them. Yoga has always been one of my favorite ways to manage still getting physical activity in but also relaxing my mind and easing any tension or soreness in my body. I hope to offer a Yoga session with all of the basics that will be easy enough for beginners with a few integrated advanced moves for those who have done it for years."
David Robertson
Facilities Manager
David Robertson is an artist, songwriter, musician, poet, and a great friend if you love deep and stimulating conversation! He loves the arts and works diligently to keep our facilities in running order.