PRESIDENT

Kelly will always remember these words of wisdom from her High School Choir Director, “it’s not just notes and words”. She took that lesson to heart and has applied it to all aspects of her life.  She found a supportive community through the arts program in her middle and high school and wants to make sure the students in our community have the same support and resources.  Kelly credits her public school art education opportunities as the foundation for her work as a pastor and a parent. Kelly has two children, Calvin, an 8th grader who sings, acts, and plays piano and Maggie Joy, our artist, who is eternally 7 and will always be a Murray Mustang. Our family finds joy in the ways we embrace the arts in our everyday lives. We are a family who embraces art because of our teachers who encouraged us to be artists. 

Photo: Jennifer Connelly, Bluebird Photography

VICE PRESIDENT

Arts and public education have been a throughline in Jenny's life and work. By using her skills in service of others, Jenny hopes to instill a sense of generosity and community in her two children (7th and 11th grade). In Washington DC, Jenny and her husband were founding members of their neighborhood association in an up-and-coming neighborhood. She then volunteered to help with her son's school fundraising event, Taste of H – leading to co-founding GrantEd, which raised and distributed +$350K to DC public school teachers and provided a lifeline for Title I teachers across the city. Jenny also managed communications and design for the Two Rivers Public Charter School's fundraising gala, Framing the Future, to support arts education. Jenny owns and operates JND Creative, an independent graphic design studio, in addition to her position as Marketing Director for an insurance brokerage. 

Photo Credit: Britt Rene Photo

TREASURER

Since she could hold a pencil, Ellen has always been passionate about self-expression and the power of the arts. A graduate of Charlottesville City Schools, Ellen considers her orchestra and art teachers among her biggest inspirations. Ellen has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, with half that time spent in museums spearheading arts education programs for all ages. Ellen’s passion evolved into storytelling and fundraising, and she now has a consulting business that supports organizations with finding and landing grants. Ellen has two children (4th and 8th grade) who both share her love of the arts and she joined the board to ensure that they find their own inspiration from well-supported arts teachers.

Photo: Amy Nicole Photography

SECRETARY

Jillian’s lifelong love of reading, nature, and the arts was nurtured by her creative mother and has shaped both her personal and professional journey. She discovered a passion for photography and creative writing in high school, and later earned degrees in Art History and History. Over the course of 15 years, she worked in museum administration and education, and also gained experience in a university library. During the pandemic, Jillian homeschooled her son and now brings her dedication to education into the classroom as a teaching assistant at Crozet Elementary, where both of her children are students. The Tucker family is grateful to call western Albemarle home. Jillian remains active in the local arts community through her involvement with AWE.

Photo: Lisa Mims Photography