T he Rose Center welcomes Morristown native, Kelli Sexton as she steps into her role of Arts Education Coordinator.
Sexton, who grew up in the area, is not new to the art programs here in the community.
“I have lived in Morristown my entire life. My dad is a dentist here, my grandfather was a dentist before so we were pretty established in the community for a long time,” she said. “My family and I started doing shows with Encore when I was 9. It started as a family affair which was so much fun.”
“When I was 12 I first was ingrained with Rose Center when I was in their Summer Players Production and the following year I did another production. That was my first introduction to the Rose Center and all the great things it does for our community.”
“As I got older I did some productions with Legacy Theater and with several churches in the area. I also loved to help out with music camps during the summer and help kids fuel their passion for theater.”
Sexton attended All Saints’ Episcopal School from Kindergarten through eighth grade. She completed two years at West High School and finished her high school career being home schooled. She attended Walters State Community College and was a member of the choir there.
She applied to the position at Rose Center because it aligned with her passion and goals she had in place.
“When I heard about the position opening up, it was no brainer. It so perfectly suits my interest and where my heart is so I had to apply,” Sexton said. “I was drawn to the position because it is exactly what I imagined for myself going into adulthood and thinking about what I want to do, what my life will look like and where my passions lie.”
“I have also loved helping with the community, the arts and bringing the arts to the children in our community. The schools do a great job about giving kids the opportunity to participate in the arts, but there is so much more that could be done.”
As Arts Education Coordinator, Sexton will oversee all art educational programs for youth offered at the center.
“I will oversee most of our children’s educational opportunities here at the center,” Sexton said. “I will oversee our summer camps, our summer programs which have been put on hold for the last few years especially with COVID.”
“We will have a relaunch of the summer programs which can include visual arts, music and theater, and we’re even looking into a baking camp.”
“We are also relaunching our Summer Players Program which is something that is dear to my heart, because that was my introduction to Rose Center. It’s super exciting to bring back the program that hasn’t performed a play since 2018.”
However, summer isn’t the only time classes and camps will be offered.
“Summer is a busy time for us, but we also work throughout the school year as well,” she said. “We will have several after school camps for students to enjoy and be able to learn about the arts.”
Stepping into the position, Sexton has several goals and plans she wants to bring to Rose Center.
“I have a lot of ideas that I want to bring to the Rose Center but I really want to bring diversity to the center,” she said. “I want a diversity of talents and mediums brought to the center. Which includes just more than visual arts. The center has done a spectacular job of highlighting the visual arts in the community but I want to see even more different mediums like baking or sewing.”
She also mentioned bringing the community together is a goal she wants to achieve as coordinator.
“I would love to see poem readings or movie screenings be held at the center; just a variety of mediums to bring the community together,” Sexton said. “Obviously spreading the arts is incredible, but I would also love to see the community engaged and excited to do these things as a community and as friends.”
However, her biggest mission is making arts accessible to all the kids in the area and helping them find their passion for it.
“My biggest mission is to make arts opportunities accessible to those who may not be exposed to the arts,” she said. “I would love for the Rose Center to be a place where kids can be exposed to art mediums they’ve never heard of and they can find their lifelong passions at the center.”
“I grew up loving music, but I would not have been exposed to theater if I had not participated with some of these local organizations.”
Sexton encouraged kids in the area to find local organizations that will help them refine their talents and to also take a chance on themselves.
“I encourage kids in the community to research and see what this community has to offer them. A lot of things get overlooked and some people don’t think we have certain things because we live in a small community, but there are so many different opportunities in the area that may be hidden. There are so many talented people and organizations in this community do go find them.”
“I also encourage kids to take a chance. Whether that be doing an audition, taking a class or learning an instrument, put yourself out there and challenge yourself because in the end it will be worth it.”
“Art is so beautiful because there is no right or wrong way to do it, it’s all about expression and about getting to know yourself and others and making those connections. It’s not just about performing or being perfect; it’s about loving what you’re doing and having fun.”
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