Who we are
Sara Wilson | Executive Director
Sara Wilson serves as the Executive Director of the Piqua Arts Council, where she is passionate about making the arts accessible, building meaningful community partnerships, and creating innovative programs that inspire creativity throughout the region. Since joining the organization, Sara has led the expansion of arts education initiativ
Sara Wilson serves as the Executive Director of the Piqua Arts Council, where she is passionate about making the arts accessible, building meaningful community partnerships, and creating innovative programs that inspire creativity throughout the region. Since joining the organization, Sara has led the expansion of arts education initiatives, community events, professional artist workshops, and fundraising efforts while helping advance the Council's transformational capital campaign for its future home.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Sara earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication and her MBA from Thomas More University in Northern Kentucky. While at Thomas More, she co-founded The More You Know, the university's online student newspaper, an experience that sparked her passion for storytelling, marketing, leadership, and community engagement.
With a background in journalism, marketing, public relations, project management, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership, Sara brings an energetic, collaborative approach to every project she takes on. She loves connecting people through the arts and believes creativity has the power to strengthen communities and create lasting impact.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys attending concerts, traveling, tackling DIY projects around her home, and exploring the outdoors with her two German Shepherd mixes, Miss Maggi and Maverick. She is proud to serve the Piqua community and is excited to continue expanding opportunities for artists and making the arts accessible to all.
Rachel Paden | Program Coordinator
Rachel Paden serves as the Program Coordinator for the Piqua Arts Council, where she oversees community programming, educational initiatives, and events that make the arts accessible to people of all ages. She brings a strong background in organization, operations, and community engagement, along with a passion for creating meaningful exp
Rachel Paden serves as the Program Coordinator for the Piqua Arts Council, where she oversees community programming, educational initiatives, and events that make the arts accessible to people of all ages. She brings a strong background in organization, operations, and community engagement, along with a passion for creating meaningful experiences through the arts.
Before joining the Piqua Arts Council, Rachel served as Assistant Manager at Fort Piqua Plaza, where she coordinated daily operations and developed exceptional skills in project management, customer service, and event coordination. She also has an extensive background working with animals and the equestrian community, and began her college education at Wilmington College studying veterinary medicine.
Outside of her professional role, Rachel and her family enjoy homesteading, where they embrace creativity, resourcefulness, and hands-on learning. As the mother of energetic twin boys, she has mastered the art of balancing multiple priorities with patience, adaptability, and a sense of humor.
Rachel believes the arts are essential to building stronger communities by inspiring creativity, fostering connection, and creating opportunities for lifelong learning. She is proud to help expand access to arts education and cultural experiences throughout the Piqua community and beyond.
Our History
History of the Piqua Arts Council
During the fall of 1990, a group of Piqua citizens began discussing the need for an organized group to sponsor and promote the arts in their community. The result of these conversations was the formation of a new committee of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce in January of 1991. The Council's membership represented a wide variety of musical, fine art, theatre, historical and educational groups.
During its first few years, the Council set the pattern for its role in the community by sponsoring and creating a diverse and exciting schedule of activities. The Council provided theatre training for junior high students; the Music in the Park series, which continues to provide musical programs during the summer for a more mature audience; and an Annual Art Exhibit that serves all ages levels.
The Council's name was simplified in 1993 to the Piqua Arts Council, and in 1997 it moved out from under the wing of the Chamber of Commerce to become a full-fledged, independent arts organization. For the first time in Piqua's history, an arts group attempted to reach a wide range of area citizens. The Council's programs were not just oriented to music lovers or artists, but encompassed a wide range of educational, traditional and non-traditional arts, and humanities presentations.
The Council has followed a long and positive tradition of arts and music organizations in Piqua. But, it has two significant features that separate it from its predecessors. The first is the Council's longevity. The average length of time for any post-World War ll arts group in Piqua has been roughly three years. The Council has exceeded that many times over as an active and vibrant organization. The second unusual feature of the Council is its diverse programming coupled with the diversity of its board members. Previous organizations concentrated on a single type of programming such as musical events or art shows. The boards of these earlier groups were often fairly select groups that did not always represent a cross-section of the community.
Piqua Arts Council continues to stand with the mission of making the arts accessible to the community through presentation, support and education.
Show Your Support!
The Piqua Arts Council is creating a new home, transforming a former downtown bank into a vibrant space for creativity. Your support makes this transition possible!