The Greenbrier Area Arts Council named Chamber Non Profit of the Year

The Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce The Greenbrier Area Arts Council as our 2026 Non Profit/Service Organization of the Year.

Members of the Greenbrier Area Arts Council

It is easy to see why the Greenbrier Area Arts Council (GAAC) is the 2026 Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Non Profit/Service Organization of the Year. They are proudly celebrating five years of building community and connection through the arts. What began as a single creative spark has grown into a thriving, engaged nonprofit that continues to unite Greenbrier.

GAAC, since it’s inception has been lead by President Danielle Kindsfater and Vice President Shellie O’Quinn and was born from the success of Art Jam. The first event was held in Matthews Park, and was so impactful that it led to the group officially registering as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Today, Art Jam is a state-level award-winning festival and remains still, the only fundraiser. Art Jam features live performances, interactive art experiences for all ages, workshops, demonstrations, and a true “jam good time” of bringing our community together.

Member Julie Isom assisting at the Community Fish Fry

The core of GAAC ‘s is mission is to create community and connect people through the arts. Over five years, that mission has made a meaningful impact in the following ways:

• Awarded $1,000 grants to local teachers through a matching grant from the Arkansas Community Foundation

• Awarded $4,000 in scholarships to Greenbrier High School Seniors

• Obtained a $2,500 Walmart Community Grant to financially support the “Be the Change” public art mural

• Supported the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce in the capital campaign to build an amphitheater in Matthews Park through the Community Fish Fry and Singo event

• Partnered with the City of Greenbrier and the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce to host Blackout Over Brier, a four-day festival celebrating the 2024 Eclipse

• Provided art camps and classes for kids and adults

• Hosted art retreats and art tours

Shellie and Julie helping provide free activities for kids at Glisten in Greenbrier

Behind the scenes, GAAC’s dedicated board remains actively engaged in learning, collaboration, and leadership development through statewide arts events, gallery walks, retreats, and regional partnerships, ensuring the organization continues to grow with purpose and vision. They have volunteered thousands of hours by providing hands-on activities for kids at annual community events, such as Boo Brier, Glisten in Greenbrier, Faulkner County Fair, Conway ArtsFest, and various other events at Woolly Hollow State Park, Conway Art Walk, and the Faulkner County Museum. Board members painted the panther paws on the pavement at Eastside Elementary, assisted with the Greenbrier School District Arts Fest by hanging artwork, and teach free art classes at the Greenbrier Library. Currently, the group is actively planning for another mural installation in 2026 and illustrating a children's book that will debut this spring.

An up close view of hands on activities at Art Jam

Building relationships with other arts organizations in Faulkner County is important to the group as well. For five years, GAAC has shown that the arts are more than entertainment—they are a catalyst for education, connection, and pride.

The Greenbrier Area Arts Council exemplifies what it means to be the Non Profit/Service Organization of the Year. The Greenbrier Chamber Banquet is excited to celebrate them, Thursday March 12th at Legacy Acres. The event is proudly supported by our community partners: Conway Regional Health Systems, First Security Bank, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, First Service Bank, The Children’s Clinic of Conway & Greenbrier, Centennial Bank, Central Christian Academy, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Karen Ferguson, REALTOR -LPT Realty, and Braswell and Son Pawnbrokers.

The annual banquet is sponsored by Arnold Heat & Air Inc, DKM Construction Company, Xtreme Powder & Performance, Entergy Arkansas, Greenbrier Auto Sales, LLC, Farm Bureau -Faulkner County, Mallory Construction, Integrity Insurance Group, LLC.

It is not too late to sponsor this amazing event! Sponsorships and seats are available now: https://form.jotform.com/250083228840150