ABOUT lagrange county arts

PRESIDENT

kari@lagrangecountyarts.org

Kari joined the Board of Directors of LaGrange County Arts, Inc. in 2024 and became President on August 1, 2025. She brings a passion for the arts and experience in customer service, small business ownership and nonprofit leadership. She previously served as President of Reason 4 Hope, Inc. and in leadership roles with the Tri Kappa Mu Chapter. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the LaGrange County Tourism Foundation.

Kari specializes in event, portrait, and fine art photography. She also enjoys architectural sketching and illustrating in pen.

She is a graduate of Lakeland High School and is married. Kari enjoys road trips to Upper Michigan and quick getaways to Chicago in search of the best tacos.

VICE PRESIDENT & YOUTH ADVISOR

awhited@lakelandlakers.net

Amy discovered her love for visual art at an early age, using sketchbooks as a creative escape. In fourth grade, her art teacher and lifelong mentor, Mary Woodworth, inspired her to pursue a career in art education.

After graduating from Lakeland High School in 1988, Amy studied Art Education at Indiana University and returned home in 1995 to begin teaching at Lakeland Jr. High. She now teaches grades 3–6 at Lakeland Intermediate School and has spent over three decades mentoring students, sponsoring activities, and supporting arts education.

In 2022, Amy and Mary co-founded LaGrange County Arts, Inc. She is passionate about helping children explore their creativity through summer art camps, the Lakeland Intermediate Art Club, and the Tri Kappa Art Fair, which she has chaired for over 20 years.

Amy married her husband, Mark, in 1999. They have three daughters: Jazzlyn, studying music therapy at PFW, and twins Aliza and Alana, along with two cats, Lola and Leo.

SECRETARY

grace3445@icloud.com

Grace Spero serves as Secretary of LaGrange County Arts. After a 30-year career at Smokercraft Marine, she retired in December 2021 and turned her energy toward community service, volunteering at the Clothes and Food Basket in LaGrange and eventually managing the toy department.

A 1975 graduate of Lakeland High School, Grace joined LaGrange County Arts in 2023, offering her time and skills to support our organization. She is also active at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, supporting its mission and outreach.

In her free time, Grace enjoys gardening, crafting, sewing, and spending time with her family.

TREASURER

nikki@blbgrp.com

Nicole Heffelfinger joined LaGrange County Arts in 2025 as Treasurer, bringing with her strong experience in bookkeeping and accounting for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Nikki is a graduate of South Adams Jr./Sr. High School in Berne, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University Fort Wayne and later completed her MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Outside of spreadsheets and budgets, Nikki enjoys reading fiction books and relaxing by the water.

EXECUTIVE ADVISOR

mary@lagrangecountyarts.org

A lifelong resident of LaGrange, Indiana, Mary Woodworth has been a key figure in shaping the local arts community. As a founding member of LaGrange County Arts in 2022, and its President until stepping into the role of Executive Advisor in August 2025, extending her legacy of creativity.

Mary is a 1975 graduate of Lakeland High School.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Mount St. Joseph University in 1979 and has been a professional artist since 1977. She spent 33 years teaching elementary art at Lakeland School Corporation, earning her Master’s Degree in Art Education from the University of St. Francis in 1989.

Beyond her work in the classroom and arts organization, Mary has had a lasting impact on LaGrange’s cultural scene and generations of students. These days, she enjoys road trips, church services, ice cream, and strolling through her hometown, where she’s often greeted by the friendly faces of friends, neighbors, and former students.

BOARD MEMBER

PAINTERS GUILD

Rebecca joined LaGrange County Arts in 2025 as a Board Member.

BOARD MEMBER

Gina joined LaGrange County Arts in 2025 as a Board Member.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Louise Kehr joined the Advisory Committee of LaGrange County Arts, Inc. in 2025.

A native of LaGrange, Louise graduated from Lakeland High School in 1977. She spent most of her adult life in Houston, Texas, where she combined her passion for math and drawing to build a successful career as a Structural Designer in the Oil and Gas industry.

After retiring in 2014, Louise returned to LaGrange to care for her aging parents. Now back in her hometown, she enjoys spending time with close friends and restoring her childhood home to its Mid-century modern roots.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Susan Steed joined the Advisory Committee of LaGrange County Arts, Inc. in 2025.

She is a native of LaGrange and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1977.

COLLEGIATE ADVISOR

YOUTH ADVISOR