By  KATE SNYDER

Community Arts Center

Two familiar faces at the Community Arts Center will be taking on new roles as the Arts Center welcomes a new artist-in-residence and a new Program Director next month.

Starting Wednesday, May 1, the Arts Center will be adding a third artist-in-residence. Sarah Wiltsee is a Danville native and an active member of the Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky and the Gathering Artists and is a former member of the Arts Center’s Board of Directors.

Sarah is particularly well-known for her vibrant abstract paintings that grow from her love of blending colors in bright and new ways. Sarah exhibits regularly in group shows at the Arts Center. In 2016, she was one of three artists featured in the “Expressions in Color” exhibition. Her work can also be found in private collections in Kentucky, Connecticut, Texas, and Louisiana.

Sarah says, “I love finding different ways to draw people into finding the meaning of pieces I have painted. I am excited about being in a wonderful studio to create more art and just being able to talk to the many visitors that come through the Center and stop in to see what I am working on.’

Executive Director Niki Kinkade says that Wiltsee was the perfect choice for an artist-in-residence. “One of our goals with the artist residency program is to provide opportunities for visitors to connect with working artists – to see what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ when artists are creating their work. Sarah does a fantastic job of explaining her creative process – and the work itself is of course beautiful.”

Sarah joins Mark Wilhelm and David Farmer as artists-in-residence. Her studio will be located on the second floor of the Arts Center, just across from the elevator. The Arts Center is hosting an open house on Friday, May 10 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to give the public a chance to visit Sarah’s new studio.

Also joining the Arts Center team will be Dionna Baker. Dionna is an experienced arts educator, having taught art for Woodlawn Elementary School for six years. For the past two years, she has been one of the Arts Center’s lead instructors, teaching ceramics workshops as well as visual arts programming for children. Starting on May 1st, she will step into the role of Program Director, tasked with overseeing many of the Arts Center’s programs.

Executive Director Niki Kinkade explains that the Arts Center’s educational programs have been growing rapidly. “Over the past two years, we have nearly tripled the number of classes we offer for children and adults. We are also going to be rolling out several new programs as we implement a new strategic plan. We are excited to be serving more and more members of the community and we know that Dionna is going to be a tremendous addition to the team. Her skill as an artist is equaled only by her incredible teaching ability.”

Dionna says, “I am so excited to be joining the staff at the Community Arts Center as Program Director. I look forward to collaborating with a team of people that are passionate about providing multi dimensional artistic programs that enrich lives in the community. I am a firm believer that art is a powerful catalyst for positive change in the community and beyond. I also believe in the power of artistic expression. As program director, my goal is to create programs that will provide the community with opportunities to enrich their lives through art.”

COMING UP

Starry Night Studio: Photo Finish

Wednesday, May 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

$35 per person

Mother’s Day Mystery Workshop

Tuesday, May 7 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

$12 | PK4 to 5th Grade

Lunch with the Arts – The Overtones Barber Shop Quartet

Wednesday, May 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

$5 at the door ($3 for students)