A Passion for the Arts
Jennie Strange ’05 has had a passion for the arts since she was four years old, and now she gets to share that passion with the Conway community.
Strange is the founder and owner of Blackbird Academy of Arts, Inc. located in downtown Conway. Providing arts for local children, Blackbird Academy offers creative writing, dance, film, music, sewing, theatre, visual arts and a homeschool arts program.
A graduate of the Schedler Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas, Strange created Blackbird Academy while writing her honors thesis. She decided to use her talents in writing and rhetoric to write an actual performance.
“I’ve been involved in all the arts growing up- music, dance, creative writing- and having enjoyed film and visual arts, I wanted a way to bring them together,” said Strange.
Strange created a team of about 40 of her colleagues who were dancers, actors, musicians, artists and film major students. Working together, they created the production “Blackbird” for her honors thesis.
Strange’s writing professor, Stephanie Vanderslice, was her mentor during her time in undergrad. When Blackbird Academy was still in the beginning stages of becoming a company, Strange sought council from Vanderslice. “She was one of the first people who I actually went and talked to when I first had the idea to start Blackbird Academy,” said Strange.
“Looking back on my experience at UCA and on my thesis, I remembered how powerful it had been to have all those artists working together to create this production and how much of an impact it had on the audience and those who participated. I thought about how to replicate that in a way in which more people could have access to it,” said Strange.
Strange has a range of talented professors and staff who contribute to the outstanding success of Blackbird Academy. Going through a vigorous interview process followed by intense training, the staff is prepared and equipped to give students the best education in the arts as possible. The students and professors put in many hours during the week and weekend to showcase performances throughout the year.
Blackbird Academy started in 2009 and is in the process of finishing its seventh year in Conway. Strange plans to continue to grow the facility and push toward a greater appreciation of the arts for generations to come.