Local artist and educator Lori Jobe is coordinating the happenings at Capital Arts, a nonprofit community arts gallery that showcases regional art, offers classes and promotes the arts in Jefferson City. She creates in a wide variety of mediums from whimsical ceramics, expressive paintings, masterful linocut prints and mixed-media works to intricate tie and ice dye and more. Her innovative mindset, knack for community involvement and passion for the arts landed her the job as director at Capital Arts, which she has accepted with enthusiasm.
Jobe's motto "make great mistakes," is a mantra she finds herself repeating to both herself and others on a regular basis.
"In art, as in life, it's the mistakes and acceptance of the imperfections that teach the great lessons and allow for growth," Jobe said. "That theme weaves my work together and comes from the way I try to approach life."
The attitude of flexibility, adaptation and encouragement transcends her own work, acting as a strength in her mentorship and instruction of others.
"I love working alongside others, watching their talents and strengths surface, and then cheer them on while they do amazing things," she said, adding she believes in helping others find and follow their gifts, constantly looking at how someone can use their talents and skills creatively to build community.
With a passion for accessible art and hands-on learning, Jobe encourages people from all walks of life to find creative outlets and connect with one another through art. She said the primary goal of Capital Arts is to "partner with artists, other local arts organizations and those interested in the arts bring more art opportunities to the community", placing a large emphasis on her desire to bring in other Mid-Missouri creatives to teach courses, receive education, network with fellow artists and more.
Recently, Capital Arts has started offering instruction in more unexpected areas, including printmaking, yoga, macrame, jewelry-making, succulent care and more. Anyone looking for simple guidance to cultivate their artistry can sign up for classes in painting, drawing, sculpting and other more traditional mediums. Additionally, Capital Arts accepts inquiries for events, birthday parties and other gatherings.
Currently Capital Arts is working hard to put the finishing touches on upgrades to the "Imagination Station," a creative space for children and families to come and have access to art-making materials. As well as putting together a complete ceramics studio in which people can learn hand building with clay or try out the pottery wheel.
"We are very excited about offering Jefferson City a place to come and work with clay," Jobe said. "We have a pottery wheel and a kiln that were donated but we are not quite yet ready to open. As a nonprofit art gallery, we rely fundraising and donations to help us complete projects like the ceramics studio so we can get it up and running for the community."
In the future, Jobe hopes to bring interdisciplinary arts to the gallery, with eventual plans to incorporate workshops in writing, music and other forms of artistry. But first, Jobe wants to establish the gallery's presence within the Mid-Missouri area as an exciting, inspiring and welcoming place for all. As Capital Arts enters a new era, Jobe's unique skill set, and determination are bound to bring a renewed vitality to this local gallery.
To learn more about upcoming events, classes and more at Capital Arts, visit www.capitalarts.org or find Capital Arts on Facebook. For further information on Lori Jobe and her work, go to lorijobe616.wixsite.com/website.