Jamie Horter is a rural advocate, artist, and facilitator based out of Lyons, NE (pop. 851). She works primarily in rural places and believes in the power of art to shape and enhance quality of life in rural communities. She created her first public work at the age of 10 when she was commissioned to paint a mural in the elementary hallway of her hometown school. Then and now, her works are inclusive and community centered, often engaging rural citizens in the design process as co-creators. Jamie uses art to create opportunities for people to engage in conversations and decisions impacting their communities and organizations. Her work is multidisciplinary, intergenerational, inclusive, and welcomes collaborators.

Di’Mehlia Adamson is the Marketing Outreach Liaison for Project G.A.I.N ( Get Active and Involved Now) using creativity and strategy to help find access to resources and opportunities for her hometown Hugo, Oklahoma. PG is striving to eliminate poverty by equipping the community with tools to become independent and restore H.U.G.O with one project at a time. The focus is discovering creative placemaking for a newly obtained building to have a safe consistent space for youth empowerment and community programming as the first step toward the dream of building a recreational/training facility.

Sarah Ayers is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Liverpool John Moores University|Transart Institute exploring knowledge-sharing within community-led arts organizations in rural locales. She holds a Master’s in Art History and Visual Culture from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor’s in the Business of Art and Design from Andrews University. Ayers also has additional certification in Strategic Corporate Research from Cornell University, Labor Studies from CUNY: Murphy Institute, and Collections Management in Costume and Textiles from California State University: Long Beach. She works as the Economic Development Director of the Village of Marcellus and operates S. Ayers Art, a consulting firm specializing in initiatives at the intersection of community and culture.

Maria Sykes is a designer, rural advocate, and community coach. In 2009, Sykes co-founded Epicenter, a non-profit organization that uses art and design to invest in the rural community of Green River, Utah. Sykes has coached rural communities, non-profit organizations, and individuals throughout Utah, across the States, and as far as Iceland. Her efforts have been honored many times, including by former Utah Governor Herbert in 2015. Sykes remains the Executive Director of Epicenter and has a palpable passion for the arts and rural places.

Emily Wilson is the Director of Partnerships & Programs at Woodlands Development & Lending, a Community Development Corporation and Community Development Financial Institution based in Elkins, West Virginia. Having joined the Woodlands team in 2015, Emily now supports programs and projects that benefit the communities in Woodlands’ service area including affordable housing, downtown redevelopment, community facilities, community planning, as well as small business lending and technical assistance. Along with her on-the-ground engagement work, Emily, in her dual role, also helps foster Woodlands’ relationships with local, state, regional, and national partners to collaborate on broader programs, initiatives, and funding proposals; boost WV’s community development ecosystem; and advocate for increased development resources and policy change.

Emily holds an M.A. in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Fahe, a Central Appalachian member organization of affordable housing nonprofits based in Berea, Kentucky. Locally, she serves as Vice President of the Tucker County Planning Commission. Emily lives in Canaan Valley, West Virginia with her husband and daughter, Kat.