South Shore Arts, and Executive Director David Mika, welcome Jessica Corral as the new Director of Education responsible for leading and driving growth in Arts Education and Outreach programming across Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties. She will also support the educational outreach efforts of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
"After an extensive search and many fine recommendations, we chose Jessica to lead our Arts Education and Outreach efforts,” Executive Director Dave Mika said. “I am confident given Jessica’s extensive experience as an artist, educator, entrepreneur and community-engaged leader, she will provide a strong foundation on which to expand our Arts Education programming and add tremendous depth to our talented South Shore Arts leadership team."
Corral has served as an art educator for Valparaiso Community Schools since 2011 at Flint Lake Elementary. She was also the Art Department Chair, a member of the District Leadership team, and led and coordinated the district’s initial “Spring into the Arts” festival celebrating and sharing student artwork across the community. Prior to becoming an Art Instructor, Corral organized and ran her own boutique, Jade and Raspberry Designs which later morphed into DIY Art Studio. She continues to be an active artist and is currently serving as the first Executive Director of the Valparaiso Creative Council, a relatively new not-for-profit community organization created to champion artistic endeavors throughout the Valparaiso community. Corral is an alumnus of Indiana University in Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She has her Masters in Education from Calumet College of Saint Joseph.
As Director of Education for the South Shore Arts, Corral will work closely with staff and instructors to ensure the highest standards of education for classes and workshops at South Shore Arts main location at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster and satellite location, Substation No. 9 in downtown Hammond. Corral will continue South Shore Arts outreach efforts, such as the “everykid” program which has served 139 classrooms this past school year across Lake & Porter Counties, engaging 3,500 students in various art & literacy programs.
South Shore Arts was established in 1936 by a collection of local artists with an avowed purposed “to stimulate interest and appreciation of art in our region.” founded in the Edward C. Minas Department Store in downtown Hammond, South Shore Arts has grown as a not-for-profit Arts organization to champion the Arts in the region through exhibition, instruction, and outreach. South Shore Arts serves as the Regional Arts Partner for the Indiana Arts Commission for Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties.