A Message of Appreciation from the Jasper Family

Gratitude is not the only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. – Cicero

Let’s face it. There’s a lot about American Thanksgiving that is bupkis. From opposing (and propagandistic) theories of the origin story, to “traditional” dishes based on cans of Campbell’s BPA-laden soup, to little kids dodging those creepy uncles who bid them to sit on their laps after dinner, not everything about Thanksgiving is as wholesome and good as subjective history would have us believe. But science shows us over and over that being both thankful and grateful is good for our own mental health as well as the health of the relationships we foster. 

To that end, I asked the Jasper Project board of directors to share the things for which they are all thankful, in their personal lives and in their lives as public servants to the arts. 

I ask you now to indulge us as we share these thoughts with you. 

pictured - Kristin Cobb, Meeghan Kane, and Bekah Rice

I'm so thankful for the creative minds and tender hearts that continue to make this city better, and I'm particularly grateful for the Jasper team for welcoming me with open arms. It has been such a pleasure working with these talented folks. - Meeghan Kane

I am thankful for grace. For friendships that last and those that do not. For having my parents still with me. For my children who continue to make me proud of their choices to live life on their own terms and with an open heart. For the ability to get up every day and brush my teeth, go to the gym, eat a yummy meal, and breathe. For getting to work in the arts… and manage the coolest venue…It really is all a gift. - Kristin Cobb

I’m thankful for my husband, Adam Corbett, and all the other board spouses and partners who support us and work their butts off to help out at events and the wonderful artists we have worked with this year (and previous years)! I appreciate their patience with and kindness toward our board member volunteers, and the opportunity to show their work! The Jasper board for dedicating their time and talents and working so hard to make everything we do happen. I'm excited for the new folks we have joining next year as well and can't wait to see how much we accomplish! - Bekah Rice

pictured - Keith Tolen with family & friends

I’m thankful this year and every year for being a part of this amazing arts community that continues to thrive and contribute to our culture with generous positive energy. I am also grateful to be a part of the Jasper Family! - Keith Tolen 

I’m thankful for creativity - the soul of connection and overcoming differences. - Pam Bowers

I’m thankful for the new, young creative talent that is making Columbia a brighter city to live and create in. - Wade Sellers

pictured - Dick Moons leading a drum session at Jasper’s Degenerate Arts project, June 2025

I am thankful for living in a place that has such a vibrant, diverse & active arts community. I am constantly amazed & grateful for the wealth of talent in this relatively small city. I don't think many of our citizens realize just how fortunate we are. I'm also thankful for my kids,  my beautiful friends and for still being here to appreciate it. - Dick Moons

I am thankful for family and friends. I’m also thankful for the opportunity to share my ideas with the world. - Kwasi Brown

Fish for Thought by Emily Moffitt

I am thankful for my dear friends, family, and my partner-in-crime Dylan! I am also extremely grateful for all of the artists who have allowed me to work with them at Koger or through the Jasper Project. It makes me very happy to think about how we are all improving and contributing to the arts here in Columbia. - Emily Moffitt

pictured - Stan Conine

At this point in my life, I realize how thankful I am for my families (plural): Of course the really close biological one that calls me “Stanley” or ”Dad” or ”Pops.” But also my close family of Vista neighbors and friends who sometimes call me “(censored).” Or just call me. And I am especially thankful for my family of artists and fellow art lovers who helped me realize that I’m not just an art lover, I am also an “artists lover.” - Stan Conine

I have accidentally contrived the perfect retirement, having surrounded myself with visual, graphic, musical, literary,  theatrical and other kinds of artists and can proudly count them as my friends. These are the rewards of a lifetime. I was worried I'd spend my dotage playing pickleball and watching reruns of Barney Miller until I was dead. Instead, I get to write and listen to and watch and celebrate the artists with whom I cross paths on a regular basis. Barney Miller is great and all, but it can wait awhile. Oh: family and food. Those things matter too. Perhaps I take them for granted because they've always been there, which is more than enough to fill a fella's heart. - Jon Tuttle

pictured - Libby Campbell with members of her beloved “thruple” - Becky Hunter and Ellen Rodillo-Fowler

I’m thankful to live in a community which has such a thriving arts community; my closest friendships have evolved from that community. I’m also thankful for the bunch of weirdos who make up the Jasper Board and for  Cindi & the good Doc  who see that a light shines on Midlands artists who might otherwise not be recognized. And ambrosia. - Libby Campbell

pictured - Cindi’s grand-monkeys

Among the many things I’m thankful for, including family and friends and my home at Muddy Ford, I’m also thankful for the talented and committed friends who serve on the Jasper Project board of directors. We have a magazine and a film project and a playwright project and SIX galleries because these devoted people give their time, energy, and talent to a dream I had almost 15 years ago – and they’ve kept that dream alive! I’m also especially thankful this year for the newest member of our family, our fur-baby Jane. And, of course, my grand-monkeys, Sarge and Bobby. - Cindi Boiter

pictured - Janie enjoying my favorite Thanksgiving tradition - the nap!

Jasper is Thankful for YOU - a message from Cindi

From the bottom of our hearts, we are …

At this time of year those of us at the Jasper Project like to say thank you to the universe for the treasures that have come our way, just like everyone else.

In addition to all of you who support our mission by donating, volunteering, spreading the word, participating in our projects, and reading what we write, I am also thankful for our hardworking board of directors. The Jasper Project board of directors give of their time, energy, and their own wealth and blessings to keep Jasper afloat and actively serving the needs of our arts community at the grass roots level that we believe is so important.

Here are some of the things this board has done for Jasper this year: They have sold tickets, hung posters, hauled and delivered magazines, put up stages and run sound and light for performances. They have baked and prepared food, picked and arranged flowers, balanced our books, filed our taxes, managed projects, written articles, consulted with artists and donors. They have donated their own funds, and so much more.

They also shared with us the people, places, and things in the greater Columbia arts community that they are thankful for themselves.

Read on to see what they had to say..

—Cb

Jasper Project board vice president & director of Harbison Theatre, Kristin Cobb says, “I am thankful for Larry Hembree because he is always willing to lend a hand to all of us in the arts world.”

L-R Joe Hudson, William Cobb, Kristin

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According to USC professor Drue Barker, “I am thankful to live in a city with a thriving contemporary dance community with leaders like Erin Bailey, Martha Brim, Bonnie Boiter-Jolley, Stephanie Wilkins, and Wideman-Davis!” 

Christina Xan, who writes articles and manages the Tiny Gallery project, in addition to always being at the ready to help out wherever she can, agrees, saying, “I’m thankful for Stephanie Wilkins because she has used her compassion and skill to carve new, unique spaces for dancers and dance in Columbia.” 

Stephanie Wilkins and Bonnie Boiter-Jolley, co-founders of the Columbia Summer Rep Dance Co.

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Our intern Stephanie Allen, who is also an excellent writer and devoted to the cause, says, “I’m thankful for the CMA because they continually make themselves accessible to students like me and create open, welcome spaces for the community.”

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Web Maven and graphics guru Bekah Rice, says, “I'm thankful for the MANY outdoor markets in Columbia because they make buying local goods, especially art, more accessible and provide artists and artisans in our community more opportunities to make a living.”

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Jasper Project board president Wade Sellers says, “I’m thankful for an independent film community that continues to create and grow while supporting their fellow creators. The past ten years have seen imaginative new voices emerge in our city. More importantly we have seen those filmmakers get to know each other, share ideas, and share their skills. Our city and the surrounding areas are the rare place where roadblocks that usually hinder access for independent filmmakers don’t exist. I look forward to the new stories these filmmakers will tell in the coming years.”

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Bert Easter, who manages the Jasper Gallery in the Meridian Building in downtown Columbia, says, “I am thankful for ceramics artist Virginia Scotchie of USC who has partnered with me to show student work alongside her art at the Jasper Gallery at the Meridian on Main and the display windows along Washington and Sumter Street.

I am also thankful for the neighborhoods who have had art-in-the-yard events. These meet-the-artist events have been fun,” Easter continues. “I am thankful for the city’s poet laureate, Ed Madden. He’s so cute... oh and he does poetry and art stuff too.”

Columbia City Poet Laureate (and Cutie) ED Madden

artist - Virginia Scotchie

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Paul Leo says, “I am thankful that we have a lively Opera scene here in Colombia, between the productions of The Palmetto Opera Company and The Southeast Division Metropolitan Opera Competition which is starting back up in January 2022 at Columbia College. Columbia's art scene is rich in the preservation of the classical art forms as well as encouraging new and innovative art forms. That is what makes it a truly great city!”

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Board member and manager of the Lizelia project Len Lawson says, “I'm thankful for Columbia Museum of Art, Writer-in-Residence Ray McManus, and Drew Barron for the excellent work on the Hindsight 20/20 Series and Binder Podcast of which I'm grateful to have been a part.”

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Thanks to all of our diligent board members including Grayson Goodman, Al Black, Barry Wheeler, Diane Hare, Christopher Cockrell, Laura Garner Hine, and Preach Jacobs.

If YOU feel like you might have a gift to offer the Jasper Project by way of contributing to our publications, helping out at events, or even applying to be a member of the board of directors, please let us know! We’re always looking for sisters and brothers in the arts who want to join us in our labor of love.

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Jasper Project!