The board of directors of artCentral is composed of nine volunteer members who gather each month at Hyde House to manage and conduct the business of artCentral. Each member serves a three year term without compensation other than the pleasure and satisfaction of working with inspiring peers who share desires to contribute to the cultural enhancement of greater Carthage through their contributions to artCentral.
Serving on the current board of directors are Doug Osborn, president; Lori Marble, secretary; Kalee Vice, treasurer; Jackie Boyer, Alexandra Burnside, Maddie Capps, Wendi Douglas, retiring; and Jason Shelfer.
With great pleasure the members of artCentral’s Board of Directors and I introduce to you two remarkable women—Cheryl Church and Julie Reams—who are poised to take their places on artCentral’s board as we continue our work for the love of art and artists.
A longtime artist member of artCentral, Cheryl Church, originally from Kansas, has been a member of our Carthage community since 2002. This year she was named the high school Art Teacher of the Year for the State of Missouri.
Cheryl’s art has been displayed in multiple galleries from New York to Wyoming. Though loving to work with all mediums, her favored media are watercolor and colored pencil. She is currently artistically engaged in creating eight books with colorable images representing Route 66 and the eight states through which the route travels. Inside the books you will find written and illustrated stories she has learned while traveling the black top the Mother Road.
Cheryl received her Associates Degree from Neosho County Community College and attended Pitt State University where she acquired her Bachelors in Art Education. She was an Adjunct Commercial Art teacher for Neosho County Community College. Moving to Ohio, Cheryl, while teaching for three years at Guernsey Noble Career Center, obtained her vocational certification at Kent State University.
In spring of 2002, Cheryl accepted a position at Carthage High School. She has been teaching at CHS for twenty years. During this time she has procured her Masters in Gifted and Talented at Arkansas State University and married Kyle Saving, her husband of eighteen years. Together they have five children and three wonderful grandchildren.
Cheryl tells us, “Art is my passion. Inspiring young upcoming artists has not been a job to me but an amazing opportunity.” The board of artCentral welcomes Cheryl’s zeal for art and artists and art-making!
Julie Reams is the current President of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and has been in this position since January. To her new position in our hometown, Julie carries thirty years of experience in the Chamber industry from her work in Girard, Kansas; Andover, Kansas; Wichita, Kansas; and most recently the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce.
Having had abundant opportunities to serve on multiple boards and committees, Julie brings many years of experience and service to share at artCentral. She has held positions as an officer of numerous organizations. Serving as an elected official for the City of Andover, Kansas, led her to study political science. She has turned this into a benefit for her current position in Carthage. Julie also led organizations in Wichita to host major fundraising events—art shows, festivals and much more—for that community, and private sectors.
Julie’s energy seems to have no bounds. On our way to yoga on the square, I have lost count of the times David and I have seen Julie on the sidewalk in front of a business or the City Council Chambers engaged in an after-hours post-meeting conversation.
Julie has three children that she adores, ages 28, 20 and 18. When Julie is not working, she is volunteering for organizations, running races or crocheting on projects that she gives away and never keeps.
Julie is excited to be a part of the Carthage Community and to serve on the artCentral board. Her engaging presence and her enthusiasm for her every undertaking are contagious. We are happy to have Julie making her contributions among us!
