JaZmyn Shambley graduated from Hendrix College with a B.A. in English- Media Studies. During her college career, she worked at the Windgate Museum of Art (located on the campus) for over two years as an associate in media programming and curation. Jazmyn works to support the Arkansas Arts Council in her new role as Administrative Specialist. She was hired earlier this summer.

Recently, we sat down with JaZmyn to talk about the arts, her loves and what she hopes to see happen for the arts in Arkansas. 

Questions:

Q: Sweet or Savory?

A: Sweet!

Q: What pets do you have and what are their names?

A: I don't have any pets, but I would like a cat or a bunny as one.

Q: Where is the weirdest place you have vacationed?

A: I recently vacationed on a cruise ship with my family to the Bahamas. It strangely felt like a huge dormitory at sea, but I think that made it more fun. 

Q: What is your art or creative outlet?

A: I have always enjoyed creative writing, especially creating my own short stories and nonfiction works. Recently, I have tried my hand at poetry, too. 

Q: What does your job here entail?

A: As the administrative specialist, I help to support the dedicated team here at Arkansas Arts Council. I contribute in a multitude of ways to ensure our staff is prepared with the tools they need to succeed in their respective roles. My wide range of administrative tasks include researching information/resources, requesting and purchasing office supplies, and assisting with the developing programs of our staff to help celebrate and expand the arts in Arkansas. 

Q: Where do you hope to see the arts in Arkansas in five years?

A: I hope to see even more diversity and inclusion within the arts here in the state. Every Arkansan deserves access to art, and to have the opportunity to create and share in their own ways. 

Q: Why do you think the arts are important?

A: HUMAN expression!! Technology such as AI will soon take over, and we may lose the value of our own ideas. We need to continue creating art, it's a form of expression that helps us to connect with one another, to translate and discern different perspectives through a new lens. I think of it as its own language, capturing quite abstract, hard-to-communicate feelings that are universally felt. And, most importantly, art is progressive!! How can we expand and build upon what we have already created, how can we level up the world if not for art?