For Artists, Students & Collectors | Scholarships  

About Us

Kathy Dowling

Joining the Arts Association of Oldham County in 2009 is Kathy Dowling as Executive Director and Gallery Curator.  Kathy’s experience as an Art Therapist makes her a valued member of the arts community – and an excellent ambassador as we strive to bring the arts to Oldham County. 

 

“Each day I come to work at Gallery 104, I am in awe of the beautiful artwork surrounding me and the generosity of the volunteer artists, board and AAOC members who are so willing to help me do this job. I love greeting guests at the gallery who share that amazement when I tell them that we are a nonprofit and brief them about our amazing artists, classes and events that we offer.”

AAOC Committees

Arts on the Green - A juried arts and crafts show that allows artists to exhibit, sell their works and compete for prizes during the two-day event. AOG is held the first weekend in June on the Courthouse square in LaGrange. Arts on the Green-Mary Klausing, chairperson

Membership and Special Events - Special exhibits and seasonal events of interest to our membership also act as opportunities to increase AAOC membership. Ongoing.

Website and Digital Media - The AAOC website is a valuable tool for its members to keep abreast of upcoming events, not only within the Association, but in surrounding areas as well. The committee also directs the assignment of digital photography at events for use in the quarterly newsletter and on the website. Ongoing.
Digital Media – Jim Miller, chairperson

Marketing - Promote Gallery 104 artists and activities, reach and recruit potential members and grow the AAOC brand through various functions. Ongoing.
Marketing – Marion Gibson, chairperson

Historian & Archives - Collects clippings, photos, and pertinent material for compilation of the AAOC “in action.”  Prepares an archive history for the membership and public. Ongoing.

Grants - Coordinates effort to research applicable grants and administers grant timelines. Ongoing.
Grants – Jim Miller, chairperson

Scholarships and Fundraising - Coordinates efforts with Dollars for Scholars to determine scholarship candidates and explores new avenues for scholarship funding. Ongoing.
Scholarship-Donna Miller, chairperson

Gallery 104 - Updates, manages and designs galleries to reflect AAOC’s mission of “Bringing the Arts to Oldham County.” Ongoing.
Kathy Dowling, Executive Director

Program Budgeting - Coordinates with Event Directors to assist in developing a program-based budget to assist in overall AAOC fiscal planning. Ongoing.
Budgeting-Pam Ludke, chairperson

Kentucky Arts Council

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Arts Association of Oldham County with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

 

Bringing the Arts to Oldham County

The Arts Association of Oldham County is a not-for-profit arts organization established in 1997.

Founded by a group of interested artists and supporters of the arts, the Arts Association of Oldham County's focus is on "Bringing the Arts to Oldham County."

Through our membership-based programs, we strive to encourage and promote awareness in the arts.

AAOC is proud to take a leadership role in our community to:

  • Co-ordinate local arts programs
  • Provide opportunities for artists to perform and exhibit
  • Increase public accessibility and involvement in the arts
  • Promote arts education among students
  • Establish partnerships for collaborative programs and events
  • Be our members' link with the arts

We welcome your phone calls at 502-222-3822 and emails.

2012 Board Members

Sandra Graves, - PhD- President
Lagrange, KY 40031

Doctor Graves is president of Sandstone Counseling Services. She is Professor Emeritus from the University of Louisville. She created the first Art Therapy program and has served as past president of the Art Therapy Association. She is the author of two books and numerous articles and has been a guest on the Oprah show. Dr. Graves receives no compensation for her board service.

Marion Gibson – Vice President/ Marketing

Crestwood, KY 40014

Marion Gibson, a successful realtor for 25 years, currently works with Semonin Realtors in Oldham County, Kentucky. Previously she was the Top Producer in one of the offices for Ebby Halliday Realtors, the top firm in Dallas, TX. A lifetime supporter of the arts, she currently co-manages the highly successful 11th annual “Arts on the Green Fine Arts and Crafts Show” with over 100 juried exhibitors and thousands of visitors. In an attempt to assist in the development of the Association's Gallery 104, Gibson has visited co-op galleries in Taos, Santa Fe and Chimayo, New Mexico. Her management experience started as a 4-H leader, coach and instructor for the United States Pony Clubs and manager of numerous Equestrian events in the Louisville area. She is active with Yew Dell botanical gardens in Crestwood as a patron and volunteer. She was a driving force with the “Bluegrass Independent Film Festival,” an international independent film event praised around the country. She receives no compensation for her service on the board.

Jo Ann Luecke –Member at Large
Crestwood, KY 40014

Joann Luecke graduated from Creighton University with a BS in chemistry, and then worked for the Defense Department and the Mayo Clinic as a chemist. Later, she has managed a Restaurant before founding “New Focus,” a Silicon Valley start-up company creating innovative electro-optical devices. She now works with “FrankDesign, LLC,” a local consulting engineering company. She is Vice President of F&J Foundation.  Mrs. Luecke receives no monetary compensation for her service on the board.

Jim Zimmerman- Finance
LaGrange, Kentucky 40031

Jim Zimmerman has served as a State Representative in the Kentucky General Assembly and is currently Vice President of Citizens Union Bank in LaGrange Kentucky.  He is a graduate of Morehead State University with degrees in Economics, Sociology, and Art with teacher’s certification.  Jim is a Vietnam Veteran and Jim & Bette Zimmerman have been married for 42 years and have one daughter, Tricia.  He serves on numerous other civic and business boards and receives no compensation for his board service.

Mary R. Klausing,   Arts on the Green
A registered Nurse she holds degrees from Lexington Community College and the University of Louisville receiving the Highest Scholastic Achievement.  She has been a  Staff Nurse Manager and Educator and  team member of second hand transplant in the Western Hemisphere.   Currently, she is Home Health and Private Duty Coordinator for VNA Nazareth Home Care.  Mary delivered a joint publication to AABB 33rd National Convention.  Her community services includes the Business and Professional Women of Oldham County, PTSA Cultural Arts Chair, Health Ministries, Past President of Arts Association of Oldham County, and Director of Arts on the Green,Festival. She is not compensated for her board service.

Tom Kinney
Westport, KY 40077

Tom Kinney is a graduate of Marietta College with a BS Degree in Business.
He spent 28 years in retail management, small business consultant, and owner followed by 15 years as a real estate agent-broker and as a successful residential homebuilder.   Now retired, Tom is an accomplished metal-smith. He handcrafts mixed metal jewelry, which is marketed at art shows and galleries.  He serves on the Board of Directors of Discover Downtown LaGrange (Main Street Program.) and on the Board of Arts Association of Oldham County (AAOC).

Mac Mac Williams, Crestwood

E. Ann Stroth (Applicant)

Angela Funke  (Applicant)

Teresa Cheatham, (Leave of Absence 9-19-11)
Crestwood, KY 40014

Teresa Cheatham graduated from the University of Louisville in 1994 with a Bachelor’s in Information Science and now serves as Director of TraQline Operations. She is active in the community, volunteering for many civic and church organizations and activities and is a substitute teacher. She receives no monetary compensation for her work on the Board.

-Committee Volunteers:
Pamela Ludke – Membership Chair /Finance
Lagrange, KY 40031

Pam Ludke is an artist, a musician, a business leader and a founding member of the Arts Association. A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Music degree, she has performed in many notable orchestras on Broadway and with the St. Louis Symphony. A former insurance executive and business owner, she is an enthusiastic patron and volunteer for sports and arts organizations. She receives no compensation for her board service.

Donna Miller – Scholarships,  

Crestwood, KY 40014

Donna Miller, a member of the Center for No-Profit Excellence and a board member of Dollars for Scholars, is a founding member and first Executive Director of the Arts Association. She previously operated Arts Glass Studios, a stained glass business, and Biscotty Bistro, a local restaurant. She is the former manager of Reche Canyon Water Company and President of the Norton OWC, a 2000-member civic association who hosted such notables as the First Lady of the United States. A professional special education teacher and lifelong entrepreneur, she has been awarded the Oldham County Arts Advocate Award. She receives no monetary compensation for her service on the board.

Jim Miller – Grants, Digital Media  

Crestwood, KY 40014

Employee

Kathleen Dowling- MA, LPAT, CADC, CEAP-Executive Director
LaGrange  KY 40031

Kathy Dowling graduated Cum Laude from the University of New York, Geneseo with a BA in Studio Art. She also has an MA from the University of Louisville in Expressive Art Therapy. She is a past President of the Kentucky Art Therapy Association and past Vice President of the Oldham County Business and Professional Women. She has wide experience as a counselor, teacher, artist and business leader. She has appeared as a guest on several television and radio programs advocating art and mental health. Ms. Dowling is compensated.