Awakening Minds Art

04/22/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Johnston (our 3rd new board member of the month!) to the AMA Board of Directors! Melissa has volunteered at AMA fundraising events for the last couple years, and we are happy to welcome her as an official member of the leadership team!

Melissa Johnston is the Branch Manager and Consumer Lender for the Trenton Avenue branch of First National Bank. She has been with the bank since 2016.

Melissa graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a dual major in Finance and Accounting.

Melissa learned of AMA through volunteer opportunities with the bank and after she went to her first art auction she was hooked. She is honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization. In addition to her work with Awakening Minds, Melissa loves giving back to the community. She is involved with Findlay Morning Rotary, Findlay Service League and can be found every Tuesday night at Habitat Restore volunteering. She also volunteers at many other organizations/events throughout the year.

Melissa is an avid runner, loves to travel, likes baking, and has 30 different house plants!

04/22/2025

We are excited to announce that 2025 will bring more FREE art classes at Awakening Minds Art thanks to the The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation! These classes are part of the Fun for All classes. Register for each of these at https://awakeningmindsart.org/community-programs

May 10th - just in time for Mother's Day, sign up to make your own Resin flower with wire and quick curing resin.

May 15th, have fun painting rocks for your house, garden, or to hide for others to find!

About The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all in the community.
Established in 1992 as the result of an estate gift from L. Dale Dorney, The Community Foundation has granted more than
$75 million to fund projects to support our community. Visit community-foundation.com or call (419) 425-1100 to learn more
about how the Foundation is making a lasting community impact.

04/21/2025

Your updated Summer Guide to AMA Programming. We have something for everyone!
Some classes are already filling up! Register today at https://awakeningmindsart.org/community-programs

Thank you Visit Findlay for your support!

04/21/2025

May Community Classes! Pre-registration is required.
May 5th - Leipsic Painting 5:30pm (Register with the The Leipsic Community Center)
May 8th - Findlay Painting 5:30pm (At AMA)
May 18th - Intergenerational Painting 2-3pm (At AMA) Community Intergenerational Art
May 20th - Brewing Green Paint & Pint 6pm (Register with them)

Register for AMA-hosted classes at https://awakeningmindsart.org/community-programs

04/21/2025

Please welcome to the AMA board of directors, Jake Warrington! Jake is the Vice President of Risk Management, Owner of J. Warrington Visual Creations, a University of Findlay Alumnus, and a Family-First Leader. And we're excited to be added to that list!

Above all else, Jake is a family man—married for 31 years to his wife, Tamara, with three amazing adult children and three beautiful grandchildren who are the true joy of his life.

By day, Jake serves as Vice President of Risk Management, where he leads with strategy, integrity, and a deep respect for people. By night (and weekends) Jake also runs a second full-time business, as the owner of J. Warrington Visual Creations, a photography studio dedicated to Capturing the richness of life one frame at a time®.

Jake holds both a bachelor's and master’s degree from the University of Findlay in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management, where Jake developed the foundation for his approach to leadership, risk management, and creative entrepreneurship.

One guiding principle that has guided Jake in every role comes from Mary Kay Ash: “Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, ‘Make me feel important.’ Never forget this message when working with people.”

To Jake, it’s more than a quote—it’s a way of life. Whether leading teams, mentoring others, or photographing life’s most meaningful moments, Jake believes in treating people with authenticity, compassion, and respect.

04/18/2025

04/16/2025

Collaborations are the best 🥰

04/16/2025

🎥🌟 Our very own Executive Director Emily Sullivan appeared on WTOL 11’s Good Day alongside Jane Riker from Hancock County Naturalists to talk about an amazing upcoming event: Earth Day Paint & Pint!

🎨 Emily gave a sneak peek of the painting—a sweet little cardinal on an oak branch—and shared how fun and beginner-friendly this experience will be. No experience needed, just come ready to create!

📅 April 22 | ⏰ 6–8 PM | 📍 Findlay Brewing Company
🎟️ $30 covers all materials + a drink | 🎯 Register by April 20 at hancockcountynaturalists.org



https://youtu.be/VfmFHdO7mGI?si=HzGKdx8I47a-14e3

Emily Sullivan of Awakening Minds Art and Jane Riker of the Hancock County Naturalists talk an event at Findlay Brewing.

04/15/2025

Happy World Art Day!

04/15/2025

04/15/2025

This month, AMA brought on 3 new board members! Please join us in welcoming Kristin Kachur! We are so excited to have you as part of the leadership team!!!

Special Needs Parent and Rare Disease Advocate
Board member since April, 2025

Kristin Kachur holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Appalachian State University, nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. A proud native of the Carolinas, she has called Findlay home for over 15 years.

Kristin began her career in Marketing and Communications, but life took a different turn when she became a full-time caregiver to her medically complex children. With two of her sons undergoing bone marrow transplants due to a rare genetic immune disorder, Kristin has spent the past eight years immersed in the world of specialized medicine, passionately advocating for her family and others navigating similar journeys.

She and her husband, Kevin, are raising their three boys—Colten (11), Caleb (8), and Crosby (3)—in Findlay. Outside of her caregiving role, Kristin finds joy in cooking, journaling, exploring the outdoors, and singing at St. Michael Church. She is deeply committed to supporting families of medically complex and special needs children in the community.

“I am honored and excited to support the mission of AMA, and thankful for the chance to give back to our community in such a personal and meaningful way.”

04/15/2025

Our next paint and sip is only a few weeks away! Unwind with a glass of wine and follow along with our in person painting instruction. This class is presented by Awakening Minds Art and features the fuzziest little bee. We hope you all enjoy this month's canvas painting as much as we do!

MESSAGE TO REGISTER

04/14/2025

Sending big thank yous to Truthseekers Bible study group for collecting supplies for Awakening Minds Art!! Check this big bunch of supplies out!!!! This is wonderful 🥳

04/12/2025

Happy 16th birthday to Awakening Minds Art !!!! AND happy 16th anniversary to our wonderful founder, Sarah Ricker 🥰