Jennifer Romano -CC Arts President

While Jennifer Zartman Romano has been a lifelong creative using many different mediums and has only just recently begun an intense exploration using watercolors. Since discovering watercolors, she has been on an unceasing quest to translate the beauty around her onto watercolor paper. As an artist, Jennifer's goal is to celebrate the captivating allure of landscapes, imaginative florals, and historical architecture through her vibrant and expressive watercolor paintings. In addition, Jennifer loves sharing her passion for art with others, and she strongly believes in the many benefits art can bring to everyone's life.

Last February Jennifer launched her business, Indigo Studio, located in downtown Columbia City inside Brew'ha Coffee Shop. Indigo Studio is a space where people of all ages can try a variety of arts and crafts or grow their skills. The studio offers art ranging from everyday projects, private art lessons, classes and workshops. Additionally, Jennifer published Talk of the Town, an online news publication for 10 years and has recently relaunched a new online positive news publication for Whitley County called TheHootNews.com

Jennifer is also the president of the Columbia City Arts Commission, publicity chair for the Fort Wayne Artists Guild, and a member of both Artlink in Fort Wayne and Wassenberg Arts Center in Van Wert, Ohio. Jennifer was the 2022 winner of the Renaissance in Roanoke Plein Air Paint Out and she was selected by the Indiana Arts Commission for the competitive 2023 Art Entrepreneur On-Ramp Cohort and awarded a 2023-2024 fellowship.

Kay Fleck

Kay Fleck enjoys music of all kinds and plays the piano and organ. After retirement, she was a docent at the Ft Wayne Museum of Art for ten years. Kay is heavily involved with assisting in grant writing for various organizations. Her goal is to see the Columbia City community become a vibrant arts center.

Greg Hockemeyer

Greg Hockemeyer is a lawyer involved in performing arts from a young age. He occasionally performs in local theater productions and hosts charity events. He is also a trustee for the Peabody Public Library, where his grandmother was once the director.

Becky Walter

Becky Walter is the master of many talents and an integral part for the arts in our community. Becky has a very significant role in the Whitley Arts Partnership as this was a partnership created with the help of Whitley County Community Foundation and the local Economic Development Commission, providing opportunities in the arts for all people in Whitley County. Projects Becky helps lead for the Whitley Arts Partnership include the Whitley Community Children's Choir, Summer Youth Theater, the Community Theater, and the Community Hand Bell Choir. In her spare time, Becky enjoys weaving and playing the hammered dulcimer.

Doug Egolf

A lifelong Whitley County resident with deep roots in the community, Doug Egolf says he has been creating art since he could pick up a pencil. As a young person, Doug's grandfather inspired him with his creativity and ingenuity as a restorer of antiques and creator of miniatures. His ability to study a piece of furniture, scale it in his mind, cut it with a lathe and recreate it on a miniature scale is something that he still marvels at.

In the late 80s and into the 90s, Doug was very interested in the local music scene. He began creating album covers and hand drawing fliers for area bands, expanding his opportunities and melding his interest in music and art. After winning first place in a Whitley County Art Guild show, he experienced a turning point in his perception of his work and realized he was, indeed, an artist.

Over the years, he's had some exciting art experiences and opportunities, including 20th Century Fox's "Life on Mars" and The Sci-Fi Channel's "Destination Truth" which used some of his images. He has also illustrated several books and book covers over the years. He frequently draws designs used on cups and shirts at Brew'ha Coffee House. Doug also has a few local murals one near Ohki Alley and one at the corner of Chauncey & Van Buren St. His art interests are eclectic, but his main interests are in science fiction and surrealism. He enjoys acrylic painting, pen & ink and drawing, but adds, "I love all of it!"

Doug is a founding member of the Columbia City Arts Commission and has been active in leading the community mural projects and serving as a mentor for artists wanting to learn about mural painting.

April Frazier

She has trained extensively in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop. April met her husband, Scott, through dance and moved to Columbia City in 2001 to join his endeavors at their dance studio. April is deeply committed to providing outlets for all children to explore, learn, and grow through artistic opportunities.

Mike Thomas

Mike is a long time Columbia City resident and Native Texan. Passionate about all things music related. Also a member of the First Fridays Committee and Board of Directors for TROY Alternative School.