Hello Hello
Hi, I’m Sally, the founder of SpeakArtLoud and the woman behind this blog.
If you want to know more about me or are wondering how we got started, please read on.
If you are interested in contacting me you can email at SallyatSpeakArtLouddotorg or follow on Twitter or join us on Facebook.
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My Story -or- the Work & School Section of this Bio
My career, for the most part, has been spent in government, working in program development for a number of different agencies. I actually believe public service is a noble career path, sure it is far from glamorous, but I am doing work that betters my community.
Early in my career I worked in non-profits, including a domestic violence shelter and a group home for teenage girls. This experience taught me so much and strengthened my desire to work to support women and girls.
When I was an undergraduate at Ithaca College I studied sociology and art 
history. Sociology is my true passion (my 9th grade career assessment told me so) but after a few art history electives I found myself completely in love with art.
It was in an undergraduate art history class that I had one of those life changing moments – I chalk it all up to a great professor and a Cezanne painting - and since that day I have never looked at the world in the same way again.
In graduate school I studied sociology, with most of my research focused on the way art programs can be used in community development work (here is some good reading on this subject).
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How SpeakArtLoud Got Started
In the fall of 2008 I was not happy in my work life and was doing some job searching, along with some soul searching. I felt the need to do something more meaningful, yet I was unsure of what to do or how to even begin.
Fortunately for me I discovered Springboard Innovation, a non-profit that promotes community-lead community change. I immediately signed up to attend their Local Agenda NW workshop.
What I loved the most about this workshop was working closely
with others interested in social change. Talking with others helped me to turn my passions for art, women and community into some thin
g more and soon after the idea for SpeakArtLoud was born.
It was also in this workshop that I met Christa Sprinkle (on the left) and Beth Gebstadt (me & Beth on the right), both of whom are founding board members.
SpeakArtLoud is still in development, we are all volunteer and are working toward our non profit status. I still have a day job (though not the same one from 2008), but I also have a vision. I am working toward something greater, something that will make a difference and that is very meaningful to me.
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Art in My Life
I do not consider myself an artist (I know, I know – we are all artists) but I do know that having art in my life makes me a better person.
Art helps me to better understand the world, others and myself, and art helps me feel connected to something larger and completely individual and unique all at once.
I do like drawing with pastels and making collages, I can get lost looking at art books and visiting museums feels like a sacred activity. I also really enjoy movies, theater and music.
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Get in Touch
I hope that you enjoy this blog and take a moment to post a comment or two. I’d love to build a community of support here.
You can also follow on Twitter, join us on Facebook, or send me a good ol’ fashioned email at SallyatSpeakArtLouddotorg.
I would love to hear from you!
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Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning
~ Gloria Steinem
