Backstreet Community Arts has reignited my love for art—a passion I had unintentionally set aside amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. Through this incredible organization, I’ve rediscovered how meaningful art can be, not only as a creative outlet but as a powerful source of healing and connection.

Living with chronic pain can be isolating, but art and volunteering at Backstreet have helped me step outside of myself and reconnect with joy, purpose, and others. This community has embraced me with open arms, offering the kind of support and safety that makes showing up each week something I genuinely look forward to.

Serving as President of the Board is a true honor. It fills my soul to give back to the place that has given me so much. I’m passionate about helping others discover the same sense of healing, belonging, and creative freedom that I’ve found here. I am endlessly grateful to everyone who walks through our doors—artists, volunteers, and supporters alike—for making Backstreet the vibrant, compassionate community it is.

Backstreet Community Arts has been a part of my life since day one—literally. My mother, Kim Ramey, founded Backstreet out of a deep belief that art has the power to heal, connect, and transform lives. Watching her build this community from the ground up showed me what it looks like to lead with compassion, creativity, and courage.

As a video producer and CEO of Gig Bag Media, storytelling is my craft. But Backstreet has always reminded me that the most powerful stories are often the ones we create with our hands, in quiet moments of self-expression. At Backstreet, art isn’t about talent—it’s about truth. It’s about showing up as you are, finding your voice, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

Being on the board is more than a role—it’s a return to my roots. I’m proud to support a space where everyone is welcome, where healing happens through creativity, and where every person’s story is honored.

Born and raised in Newnan, Dr. Emily Kimbell is the Director of Communications at The Heritage School and a longtime advocate for the arts, history, and local nonprofits. She previously served as Director of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society and currently sits on the board of Newnan Theatre Company. Emily holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition and is a published author with a deep love of storytelling and community engagement. In her free time, she enjoys writing, reading, performing in local musicals, spending time with her partner, enjoying good food and music, and talking long walks with her very spoiled dog, Bella (short for Isabella Booboolini).

As a financial advisor, I have dedicated my career to helping families and organizations manage their resources with wisdom, purpose, and integrity. But before my financial career, I was able to witness the healing power of art firsthand while working as a missionary in Nepal. I could not even draw a banana when I enrolled in my Nepali Art school in order to obtain a visa that would allow me to stay in the country. After two years of faithful attendance, I was unfortunately still incapable of drawing a banana but was able to personally experience how art can be a soothing balm for the human spirit and a calming force during the hardest of times.

I believe that every person is created in the image of God with inherent value, creativity, and dignity. For me, serving with Backstreet Arts is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love in a tangible way by bringing beauty, hope, and healing to anyone who may walk through the doors. We welcome anybody and everybody, but I am particularly passionate about making art accessible to the underserved populations and as a temporary respite for those fighting the battles of this world. I’m committed to ensuring that Backstreet Arts can continue being a beacon of light, color and healing – because everyone deserves access to the life changing impact of art.

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Backstreet and Kim by way of a Google search when I first moved here and it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I don’t know what I’d do without the friends, community and purpose I’ve found at Backstreet through the years. I am completing my masters in museum studies and museum education. I am passionate about environmental art and education and hope to share this with participants through volunteering and teaching classes on one of my favorite subjects, nature journaling.

“As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” ― Amy Poehler

Our motto, Art Saves Lives, is a very bold statement, I know. I also know first hand that the statement is true. Art has helped me sort out life in the darkest of times.

Backstreet Arts was started in my living room and then took on a life of its own. The world needs more safe places and I am proud that Backstreet Arts is an inclusive, creative, safe space for all.

After earning her BA in Art History from the University of South Florida, Anne took a two-decade detour, working in both the corporate and public sectors, first as a resource management coordinator for a large telecom company and then as a city planning assistant. After moving to Newnan, GA, in 2018, Anne returned to her creative roots when she began volunteering at Backstreet Community Arts. Now a member of Backstreet’s tiny pool of staff, Anne is the studio’s office manager, performing administrative operations that include grant-writing, bookkeeping, and data collection and analysis.

Anne is also an artist who creates in a variety of mediums; however, her primary focus is on the fiber arts, which she shares by teaching needle- and wet-felting to visitors at Backstreet’s studio.

Anne uses art to help quell her ADHD demons. She firmly believes that the creative arts have the capacity to heal us, both individually and collectively. She also believes that creativity should be universally encouraged, and that art should be accessible to everyone.

As studio manager, Faith also teaches a variety of classes at Backstreet Arts. Having a BA in Art and Theatre, plus an MFA in Theatrical Design, Faith encourages people to explore ALL of the arts! Also a columnist for the “Coweta Magazine”, she has blended her love for both art and writing with “poem painting” classes. Faith constantly “WOWED” by the magic and healing that Backstreet Arts brings to its participants.

I believe that at our core we are all creative beings, and when that creative energy doesn’t find expression it can cause frustration and problems in our lives. Since I was young, I have found a way to express that aspect of me through music and have experienced the many times it has healed me when I needed it.

That’s why I enjoy helping teach the ukulele class. It gives me great pleasure to see beginners, and experienced alike, find joy and healing in that expression as well.

Backstreet brings the joy of genuine and welcoming connection with others through art. So often when we feel alone, isolated or in pain, there isn't an adequate way to express those feelings. At Backstreet, we open ourselves visually, musically, and in writing within a safe and inclusive studio with exciting media to explore! Dottie shares her love for jewelry and metalwork. When metals, are soldered, riveted, or fused together, it seems as though this is a metaphor for human connection. Creating at Backstreet in a loving and stimulating community is magic.

"Art (really) saves lives! I love teaching my painting classes, but I will always treasure my friends, my students and the time I've spent at Backstreet over the years. I have gotten back SO much more and I'm very grateful for every moment."

Corinne teaches oil painting at Backstreet Arts. You can see her fabulous work here: www.corinnegallastudios.com

Dale Lyles is a retired educator and a published author on the creative process. He can help you write your novel, your poem, your life story. If you can talk, you can write!

Dale is the writing coach at Backstreet Arts. You can check out his books here: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?

I know what it feels like to be at war with yourself …. against yourself …and not have any army to call upon. I know what it feels like to be so far underwater that nobody can hear you scream. Being at Backstreet and volunteering, whether it is giving positive vibes and good energy, teaching others to sew or make a bag, crocheting, or just stringing some beads together, makes me feel like a good steward of the earth. When you come to Backstreet Arts, you find hope and learn that not all people in the world are bad. Not everybody is a piece of shit. You find solace, you are in the company of kindred spirits. I want to contribute to that.

Doing any kind of art and being in a safe space is a healing, positive thing.

Teaching sewing at Backstreet Arts I’m able to combine my creative and compassionate sides. I feel that when I listen, laugh with and help those who walk through our doors, I’m not only helping them, they help me. It truly fills my heart with joy to know I can help my community.

Felipa leads Backstreet’s sewing program.