MEET JASPER!
The Jasper Project is dependent upon its hard working board of directors to make our world go ‘round. In addition to sharing a wealth of information from their own experiences, the Jasper Project board is, what is called in the world of non-profits, a “working board.” Emphasis on the word WORK.
You’ll see our board members delivering Jasper Magazines, greeting and ringing up art sales at any of our gallery spaces, hauling bags of ice, cases of wine, and trays of food at our receptions and events, as well as planning, setting up for, and cleaning up after those events. Our board of volunteers also plan and program those events. They schedule art exhibitions, review plays, install art, make labels, read plays, screen films, program musicians, write checks, balance the budget, communicate with their unique contacts, and so much more.
Every board member is attached to at least one of Jasper’s primary projects (the magazine, galleries, Play Right Project, 2nd Act Film Project, or any of our one-off projects like the Degenerate Arts Project we just finished up or our upcoming Peter Lenzo retrospective and remembrance that will be opening at Stormwater Studios on April 3rd.)
New board members are officially elected into their seats at our annual board retreat in January, though when potential new board members come along throughout the year, we invite them “to date” Jasper until the next retreat. This gives the potential director time to learn how Jasper works and decide whether they can see themselves as part of our motley crew. And the reciprocal works for Jasper.
In January 2026, Jasper voted in 7 new directors to join our already existing board of 14 sitting members. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing these amazing people to you via Jasper Online. We invite you to check back here daily to MEET JASPER, and we will introduce you to the hard-working and talented individuals who make up the Jasper Project Board of Directors.
Today we’re starting with NEW board member, Jenni Brennison!
JENNI BRENNISON
Jenni Brennison is a Columbia native who grew up in a family of visual artists, musicians, and the people who love them. It was inevitable she would develop a lifelong love of the arts as both a participant and observer. She is a graduate of Winthrop University’s political science program, and holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of South Carolina. In 2022 she completed coursework to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) through the Clemson University Center for Applied Behavior Analysis.
Brennison is a passionate advocate for creating a more inclusive society that embraces nuerodiversity as a defining characteristic of the human experience. Before working in education and behavior analysis, she worked as a copywriter in creative services for the OC Tanner Company in Salt Lake City, UT. She is a Girls Rock Columbia volunteer alumnus, served on the editorial board of Unsweetened Magazine, and is also a proud City Year Columbia grad.
Brennison lives downtown with her partner Scott and their two dogs, Gigi and Sammy. In her free time, you’re most likely to find her on a hiking or biking trail, or supporting local music and arts events.