TAC Board Member & Chair Lead of the Facility and Accessibility Committee.

Sara Kirk is a Barbour County based artist with native roots in Randolph County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and biology and is currently employed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, as an Environmental Resource Specialist and Project Manager in Fairmont, West Virginia. Sara also instructs Meditative Doodling to low-income, first-generation college student hopefuls, in the TRiO Program held each summer at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV.

Sara is a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist, published poet and an aspiring author. She is a newly appointed board member of The Art Center’s Board of Directors; with her varied and extensive background in facility operations, environmental management and art instruction, she also chairs our Facility and Accessibility Committee, which provides guidance on making our institution & physical spaces accessible and inclusive for all people, by meeting or exceeding legal requirements while also improving the overall visitor experience for a diverse audience.

Her connection to art is deeply personal, stemming from her experience that the arts can be a powerful tool for physical, mental and emotional healing. Sara’s passion for the arts first bloomed when she enrolled in her first art class in high school, she is committed to focusing on the benefits of expression and exploration rather than the aesthetic quality of the art. She feels it is a valuable tool for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges, offering a unique way to communicate and heal that can bypass the limitations of any language barrier. Sara is deeply committed to supporting emerging artists and fostering a vibrant local arts scene.

Her dedication to the Art Center is rooted in her own experience with creative spaces, which she believes are vital for artistic exploration and community connection. Sara brings her extensive experience in artistic practice, public art installations, and arts advocacy to the board. She is passionate about enriching the center & programming for community engagement.

She has not only instructed many of The Art Center’s classes, dedicating many years to our mission but is also responsible for the unique and innovative way our out-reach programs offer and instruct the traditional Appalachian culinary skills needed to create home-made jellies, heirloom breads, fresh butter, immune boosting soups & delicious cheeses. Sara has also instructed several years of our After-School Art Program providing enrichment to many of our community’s elementary-aged students.

With her creativity, imagination and general love of art, she provides a unique and valuable perspective for our organization. Her dedication to our center helps ensure organizational direction, ensuring adherence to the mission, and fostering community connections, all while contributing to the governance of the organization.

When Sara isn’t teaching, creating or exploring art, she spends her time gardening, farming, cooking or reading and especially enjoys time with her spouse, children and grandchildren.