CREATIVITY & COMMUNITY COMBINED
Overview
Bad Art by Good People is a unique event where community leaders team up with local artists to collaborate, learn, and create a finished piece of art. The public then votes on their favorites, and the works are auctioned to support the museum. The event celebrates the idea that anyone can make art, no matter their experience, while fostering connection and joy through the creative process.
How it Works
Local artists are paired with community leaders for a month of collaborative art sessions. During this time, the leaders learn the fundamentals of their chosen medium and work toward creating a finished piece of art, which will be auctioned to benefit the museum.
Important Dates
Thursday, September 17th
Public voting beginsThursday, October 8th @ 6pm
Cocktail party & auction
WHO’S WHO
Community Leaders
These influential members of the St. Joseph community will spend a month stepping into the shoes of a student, exploring and discovering their own artistic abilities along the way.
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Melissa Birdsell is the Executive Director at Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center, a local nonprofit whose mission is to lead a community-wide response to child abuse with care and compassion. She began her career working with victims of crime as a trial assistant and advocate with the Buchanan County Prosecutor's Office. In 2016, she moved over to Voices of Courage, an organization she had already come to know and love. She became it's Director in 2017.
Melissa and her husband Carl live in St. Joseph. They have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Besides spending time with her grandchildren, she enjoys all the "grandma hobbies" including reading, true crime, baking, working in her garden, knitting, and crocheting.
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I am the front of house manager at River Bluff Brewing. I've been behind a bar here in Saint Joseph serving our community for over 25 years. Married to my wonderful wife Hayley for 20 years, and we have a 16 year old son that we love more than anything we could even imagine. I spent a lot of time creating art in high school and some years after, but decades have passed since I have attempted any artwork. I hope this project can reignite my love for creating.
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Sarah Elder is currently the manager of the Remington Nature Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was employed 29 years at the St. Joseph Museum (39 if you count the 10 years as a volunteer. A native of St. Joseph, she is a graduate of Central High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. Sarah is knowledgeable in various aspects of history, including western emigration (Oregon-California Trails), the California Gold Rush, the Pony Express, the Border War and Civil War in Missouri and Kansas, as well as general western history, and is expanding her knowledge into natural history. She has assisted on local documentaries “Days of Civil War”, “Spirit of the Pony Express”, and “The Legacy They Left: Mount Mora Cemetery”.
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Since 2007, Amy Voltz has built a reliable reputation as a local Realtor while actively volunteering to make St. Joseph a great place to call home. She has held volunteer positions with organizations such as the Junior League, Bessie Ellison PTA, United Way, and the YWCA. Within the real estate industry, Amy has served as Past President and Director of Heartland MLS, and as a Director for the St. Joseph, Kansas City, Missouri, and National Associations of Realtors.
While Amy's passion is helping clients achieve their investment goals through real estate, her priority is her family. She is proud of her daughter, Hallie, a recent MSU graduate, and her son, Andy, a junior at CSU. In her spare time, Amy enjoys traveling with her husband, Mike, visiting their children in Colorado, and hiking with their two Golden Doodles, Murphy and Henry. Although she claims not to have an artistic bone in her body, Amy has a deep appreciation for the art she encounters during her travels and is excited for this new challenge and opportunity.
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Robin has lived and worked in Downtown St. Joseph for more than 13 years and is deeply connected to the community she calls home. Through more than a decade in the local service industry, she built strong community relationships and genuine appreciation for the people, businesses, and culture that make St. Joseph unique.
In 2023, Robin transitioned into nonprofit administration and joined YWCA St. Joseph as Executive Assistant. Her role involves wearing many hats, with community events and engagement being among her most prominent responsibilities. She serves as a primary coordinator for the organization’s annual Women of Excellence Awards Luncheon & Fundraiser, YWCA’s largest fundraising event.
Her connection to the community extends well beyond her work. Robin is an enthusiastic supporter and champion of Downtown St. Joseph, and she enjoys celebrating the local places and faces that give Downtown its character. She married her beloved husband, Sean, at the historic Trail Theatre in 2024. The couple spends much of their free time enjoying life Downtown, especially at their favorite local gathering places, Mokaska Coffee and Club Geek.
Guided by a belief in service, connection, and positive impact, Robin strives to support others while bringing enthusiasm and authenticity to everything she does. She is proud of the community connections she has cultivated and grateful for the opportunity to use them in service of the causes she believes in. Bad Art By Good People has given Robin the opportunity to overcome almost two decades of “artist’s block” and establish confidence in her creativity.
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Jenni Jimenez is an Employee Benefits Broker with 25 years of experience helping businesses and individuals navigate the ever-changing world of health insurance and employee benefits. As a broker with John Joe Insurance Agency, she specializes in designing employee benefit programs and HR compliance solutions for employers throughout Northwest Missouri. Known for her strategic approach and passion for building relationships, Jenni enjoys helping organizations solve complex challenges while keeping people at the center of every decision. She is actively involved in the St. Joseph community and is honored to support the local arts through this volunteer project.
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Marla Heeler, owner and director of The Dance Arts Center, LLC is thrilled to share her passion and love for the art of dance with as many people as possible. Her motto is, “There is more to dance than pointing your toes.” As a choreographer and studio owner she has many award winning students and professionally performing including Dance Masters Chapter 28 several solo title holders. Her students have also been awarded opportunities to study with ABT, Kansas City Ballet, North Carolina School of The Arts, State Street Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Chicago Human Rhythm Project.
Marla’s award winning choreography has been recognized by Robidoux Resident Theater as a Dobbins Award recipient. She has also been recognized by several dance competitions such as Bravo, Celebrity, Dance Masters of America, I Love Dance, Dance America and Headliners. In March 0f 2024 Marla had the opportunity to choreograph a national commercial for Holiday Inn Club Vacations.
Marla has taught Master Classes and judged throughout the Midwest. As a certified instructor she is very involved in continuing to raise the standard for dance professionals. She has served as both President and Vice-President for Chapter 28 Dance Masters and is a member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
As a former performer, Marla began her professional career after winning Miss Dance Heart of America. This award created the opportunity for her to study with the world renowned Gus Giordano. While in Chicago she performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, The Chicago Opera Theater, The Evanston Dance Ensemble, The Dance Foundation, Dance Explosion, Dancewerks and Indola International Hair Show.
One of her most proud achievements is being the founder of A Chance To Dance. This unique dance benefit was started in 2002 as a way to bring the dance community together to help raise awareness and funding for the prevention of child abuse.
Ms. Marla is certified by Dance Masters of America, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
She also has certifications in Progressing Ballet Technique | Excel in Dance Training and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance and Itaponline!
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Liby Waltemath’s biggest claim to fame is being born just three weeks after Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, in the same St. Joseph hospital. Their career paths took slightly different directions. These days, Liby serves as the Communications & Marketing Director at Missouri Western State University. Before joining MoWest, she spent nearly 30 years in media, marketing and advertising, most recently as General Manager of St. Joseph’s local radio stations operated by Eagle Communications. She is mom to her daughter, Hazel, and three color-coordinated floofs: Mister Pickles, and cats Olive and Mystery. When she’s not marketing, communicating or overthinking the placement of a comma, Liby can usually be found digging in her garden, digging through a thrift store for more stuff and things she absolutely does not need but definitely has to have, starting another project or finding potential in something someone else has given up on. She also occasionally wonders why Eminem never calls.
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Chris, age 71, is a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was born, raised, and educated, attending both private and public schools before studying at Missouri Western State College from 1973–1976.
After a 45-year career as a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments, Chris retired to enjoy the things he loves most—travel, music, family, and new experiences. He and his wife are the proud parents of four adult children and grandparents to five grandchildren.
Chris has always believed in giving back to the community that has given him so much. Over the years, he has served as President of Downtown Rotary Club #32 (1990), chaired the Allied Arts Council's Arts Fund Drive (1993), helping raise approximately $190,000 in support of the local arts, and served on the boards of the Robidoux Resident Theatre, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. His commitment to community service reflects his belief that strong communities are built by people willing to pitch in.
A passionate admirer of the arts, Chris has traveled the world for nearly four decades, attended hundreds of concerts, and has a deep appreciation for music and cinema. Ironically, despite a lifelong love of the arts, he has absolutely zero experience creating visual art.
This experience marks Chris's very first venture into the world of making art—a true beginner proving it's never too late to try something new.
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Sam is a private banking relationship manager at Commerce Trust. As a member of the private client team and an experienced, tenured private banker, he and his dedicated client support staff are responsible for ensuring each client’s experience with Commerce Trust exceeds expectations. Sam’s specific responsibilities include management of our clients’ day-to-day banking, cash management, and credit needs, while also helping them navigate the wide array of our financial services to find the solutions that best fit their needs.
Sam joined Commerce Trust in 2023. Previously, he worked 17 years as district manager overseeing 18 retail branches in northwest Missouri and Iowa. Sam also managed individual retail branches for six years.
He serves as the vice chair of the Craig School of Business Advisory Board at Missouri Western State University.
In his spare time, Sam enjoys watching the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, premier league soccer, and golf.
Artist Mentors
These artists, from St. Joseph and the surrounding area, have been passionate advocates for the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art and the region’s vibrant artistic culture. Each brings their own unique style and creative vision to the community.
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Colored Pencil artist & recipient of the Mayor's Artist of the Year award.
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Tori Christgen is an artist, educator, and curator whose interdisciplinary practice spans drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, installation, and collaborative community-based work. She serves as Head of the Art & Design Department, Associate Professor of Art at Campbellsville University and Director of the Pence Chowning Gallery, where she teaches, mentors emerging artists, and develops exhibitions that connect visual art with broader campus and community life.
Christgen earned her MFA in Studio Art from the MICA and her BFA in Studio Art from MWSU, graduating summa cum laude from both institutions. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across the United States and internationally, with projects ranging from achromatic textile installations and works on paper to clay, printmaking, and artist books. Her practice often explores memory, place, domestic history, material transformation, and the poetic possibilities of overlooked or everyday objects.
In addition to her studio work, Christgen is deeply invested in collaboration, experiential learning, and arts outreach. She has led workshops in printmaking, clay, book arts, and mixed media, and regularly creates projects that bring together art, music, wellness, and community engagement. Through both teaching and making, she encourages creative curiosity, thoughtful observation, and meaningful connection.
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Alex Asher has worked at the AKMA for the past nine years and is the Director of Education. She has a BFA in studio art and art history, and an MA in Art History. While she loves working in all mediums of art, she also enjoys teaching beginner's classes right here at the museum. Come and take a class with her!
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David Harris is a ceramic artist, educator, and Professor of Art at Missouri Western State University, where he serves as the ceramics instructor. Throughout his career as an artist and educator, Harris has encouraged students to explore their unique talents, develop their creativity, and discover their own distinctive artistic voice.
In 1978, Harris founded David Harris Pottery and began working as a full-time studio artist, creating a wide range of functional and nonfunctional ceramic forms. His work has been exhibited in numerous national and international venues and is included in public and private collections.
Harris is also the owner and founder of Hand to Hand Gallery & Studio in downtown St. Joseph, Missouri. Through Hand to Hand, he continues his commitment to art education and community by providing a welcoming space for both beginning and experienced clay artists. Offering opportunities to explore wheel throwing, hand-building, and other ceramic techniques, the studio encourages creativity, connection, and hands-on learning while contributing to St. Joseph’s thriving arts community.
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Madison McKinley is a painter and the Marketing & Communications Manager at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. With a background in studio art and art history, her creative work often explores themes of beauty, symbolism, and human connection. In her role at the museum, she combines her artistic insight with strategic communication to engage the community and highlight the museum’s exhibitions, programs, and events. Madison is passionate about using art as a tool for storytelling, outreach, and community building.
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Visitor Services Coordinator at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, Childrens Art Teacher & Owner of Bee Creative Studios.
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Amber Wilcox is a mixed media painter and the Events Manager at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. In addition to her creative work, she brings her passion for the arts into her role at the museum, where she curates meaningful experiences that connect people with art and culture.
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My name is Rebecca Reilly. I am an artist living in the Downtown area. I have my BFA from Missouri Western State University. I am primarily a printmaker, working in relief linocuts. More recently, I have been exploring collage as a medium, playing with different styles and techniques.
I have an affinity for all things vintage. Imagery of vintage technology and utilitarian items is a common theme in my work. I also love using vintage paper and packaging in my collage work. I am always searching for new inspiration and developing new ways to express myself.
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Megan Wyeth is an American photographer whose work is rooted in nature and the Midwestern landscape. Wyeth photographs both the broad sweep of the sky and land, and details of plants, documenting not only what the landscape looks like, but what it holds—history, resilience, rejuvenation and grace.
Wyeth is deeply inspired by the natural world. Her years of studying nature has helped shape her intuitive approach to photographing.
Her formal background includes photography studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, and a BFA in History of Art from the University of Kansas.
Wyeth has maintained an active studio practice, gallery exhibition, commercial work and publishing schedule for over 40 years. Her works are held in numerous private and public collections internationally.
Through exhibitions and book projects, Wyeth invites viewers to look longer and more tenderly at the natural world.
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Eric Fuson is the Executive Director of the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph, Missouri. A lifelong St. Joseph resident and graduate of the Missouri Western State University Art Department, Eric spent more than 30 years teaching studio art and art history at Missouri Western before joining the museum in 2020. An accomplished artist working in painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture, he helped create the Walter Cronkite Memorial, and more recently designed and sculpted the St. Joseph Firefighter Memorial. His artwork is in private collections and here at the Albrecht- Kemper. He is passionate about arts education, community engagement, and making visual arts accessible to all. Outside of the museum, Eric enjoys creating artwork, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Carol and children, Chloe, Jonathan, and Claire.
VOTE
Cast your vote for your favorite artist—or your favorite artwork! Every vote is also a donation to the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, so you’re supporting creativity and our community at the same time.
We had a fantastic time collaborating with so many wonderful people this year and can’t wait to do it again next year!
Vote as many times as you like—your support truly makes a difference.
Melissa Birdsell
Justin Alvarez
Sarah Elder
Robin Frost
Amy Voltz
Jenni Jimenez
Marla Heeler
Liby Waltemath
Christopher Jones