Amanda Wagner

We moved to Goshen around four years ago. I told my husband that I wanted to move to Goshen for the art community. I was really excited about being an artist and getting plugged in and coming to Goshen. That’s why we’re here.

I have an art degree, and so I’ve always been interested in arts and education. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I also do Young At Art. It’s a program for children ages 2 to 10 to do art on Saturdays, and it’s been around for four years. It just really took off – there was a need, and there was excitement about it. We collaborate with Goshen Youth Arts, which is for students ages 9 to 19. I sometimes tell students, ‘You’re old enough now, you should be looking at Youth Arts.’ Or Goshen Youth Arts will get older kids with younger siblings, and they’ll say, ‘You’re still too young for Youth Arts, you should go to Young At Art.’ They’re pretty awesome.

I’m on the task force for Arts on the Millrace. I’m also on the board for Art House, where I’m an arts curator. They wanted to bring in the visual aspects of art to Art House, so I bring in visual artists. Also, I’m a member of the Goshen Painters Guild. They allow me to run my business there, so that’s a nice marriage.

The community here sets Goshen apart. Things are locally owned, and I know the owners and the people. They are always willing to collaborate, or they have good ideas, unique ideas. There’s support for things like open houses or concerts on the lawn and the Fun Run. Those are just really interesting, engaging activities that I really haven’t found anywhere else. And they’re so successful because everyone knows each other and everyone comes out to support them and participate and have a good time.