Meet Roxanne Amidon

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Roxanne Amidon.

Hi Roxanne, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today? 
I spent over 30 years in the technology business, doing work that benefited the companies I worked for, but the effort didn’t feed my soul. I was proud of my work and business acumen, but wanted to find a way to give back, leveraging my knowledge by pouring my time and passion into my community. It started small, working in a website for Goodwill Industries, volunteering at a children’s center, starting a Sustainability group, and participating in the historical Neighborhood Association, where I was able to get funding for banners and street signs to give the people in the community a sense of place. 

I went through a layoff and started my own renovation business and found myself with the freedom to take on more and immerse myself in the community. When the school district was no longer going to use a 2 acre play field, I worked with the residents and officers of the Neighborhood Association to turn the space into a passive park that blended art and green space. Seven years later we have over 100 pieces of art in the park, including our interactive Imagination Space, host six community events ranging in size from 200 to 2000, and have become an essential play space and event venue for Delaware County. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our work has been organic, so we have been successful by going with the flow, leveraging best practices from others, and engaging the community as volunteers, artists, and donors. 

As a newly formed and volunteer run organization, there were early struggles of forming a team committed to the Park’s mission. We were able to overcome that with engaging the community and finding passionate members who wanted to dive in and bring the Park’s vision to life. 

One of our continuous struggles, as an outdoor Park open to the public, is suffering through the complexities of humans acting badly with rowdy behavior and vandalism occurring. Something we are still working to overcome, but the camera system and police presence have helped. We are hopeful to continue to work through solutions that keeps the fun aspects of the park open for all to enjoy. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the Executive Director at the Boardman Arts Park, I’m responsible for everything – writing the grants, planning the events, soliciting the art, vendors, and volunteers, and even cleaning the bathrooms. I have always been a person who could manage a dozen different competing priorities and ensure the missions are achieved. I liken it to the plate spinner that runs back and forth along a stage and ensures none of the plates fall. That’s my role: keeping it all moving forward seamlessly and without anything falling apart. In addition, I believe myself to be a strategic thinker. I try to establish a long-term vision, communicate that vision, and get everyone rowing the same direction to achieve those goals. 

That said, I have a strong team with key skills that elevate our effectiveness. They are polished, inventive, and passionate. Having an amazing team, sets us apart. 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
As a person of a certain age, there isn’t just one lesson, so here are my top 3: Be a person of integrity, do what you say you will do, always; lead with intention and compassion; Be positive and driven, set big goals and enjoy the journey. 

Pricing:

•  The outdoor art gallery and Imagination Space are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
•  The Park is funded by events, grants, and donations. There are many ways individuals and businesses can get involved:
• Sponsor an event: With packages from $100 – $5000, businesses can have a wide variety of recognition from a logo in a program to one etched into a tasting glass at the Beer & Wine Festival.
• Sponsor art: For $500 – $15000, receive naming rights and signage on beautiful, functional art – benches, artistic trash cans, or interactive Imagination Space climbing structures. Donate a brick: $150 or $300 allows for two options for engraved bricks with a name, logo, or quip.
• Sponsor colorful Sail Art: $1500 allows an organization to present their colors for 30 days in our 20’ tall by 100’ wide iconic sails display, seen by 13,000 people daily.
• Naming sponsor: The Whimsy Venue will be underway in late 2024, and naming sponsorship for the art-forward Whimsy Stage, Kaleidoscope Glass House, and colorful resin walking path (think yellow-brick road) are available.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://boardmanartspark.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardmanartspark/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boardmanartspark

Image Credits
Kaia T Leonard, Travis Ries, and Boardman Arts Park