The mission of the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington is to provide a comprehensive program through Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts which teaches various art skills to all participants through a quality program of instruction open to all segments of Jonesborough’s population.
Contact
| Front Desk | McKinney Center | 423.753.0562 |
| General Contact | Town Hall | 423.753.1031 |
Theresa Hammons is the Director of the McKinney Center and Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts. A native of Southwest Virginia, Theresa has lived in East Tennessee since 2006. She has her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Appalachian Studies from Berea College and Appalachian State University. Theresa worked at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian for six years, assisting in researching and curating exhibitions, and has worked in the museum and art fields for more than 20 years.
Skye McFarland is the Community Program Specialist at the McKinney Center. Skye grew up in Apex, NC and earned her B.A. and M.A. in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Skye’s studies focused on building sustainable communities in the region through art, culture, and other facets, and brings that passion to the role at the McKinney Center.
Anne G’Fellers-Mason is the Program Manager for the McKinney Center and oversees the StoryTown Initiative, including the monthly StoryTown Radio Show. Anne has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and History from Mars Hill University, a Master of Arts in History from ETSU, and a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Hollins University. Before coming to work for the Town of Jonesborough, Anne worked for the Heritage Alliance of Northeast TN and Southwest Virginia for over ten years, so she knows the history of the area well.
Bre Walker-Schadler is the McKinney Center Manager at the McKinney Center. Bre grew up in Owenton, KY and earned a B.A. in Child and Family Studies from Berea College in Berea, KY. Bre oversees the day-to-day happenings of the center, including rentals.
Nori Shaw assists with the McKinney Center’s StoryTown Initiative, including story collecting and the monthly Radio Show. Nori grew up in the Johnson City area and has worked many places including Pal’s Sudden Service and Hot Topic. Nori has a passion for helping people and sees the value in community. Nori loves being a part of the StoryTown programs as the assistant and especially enjoys collecting stories and getting to know new people.
Martha Blaser is the Arts and Culture Education Assistant at the McKinney Center. Martha grew up in Bristol, VA and is now located in Johnson City, TN. Martha earned her B.A. in Studio Art with a minor in Art History from East Tennessee State University in 2024. Martha’s artistic focus is in fiber arts and bookbinding and has had work exhibited in several shows around the region. Martha enjoys bringing a love of art to local children through the McKinney Center’s outreach programs.
The McKinney Center and Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts is designed to inspire area residents through appreciation for and participation in the various forms of art and expression.
The Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts provides educational courses in visual and performing arts and is currently offering over 100 courses and workshops each year including drawing, painting, music, theatre, acting, and dance. Some of the most popular classes include the various pottery courses, bucket drums, mosaics, and musical theatre. Classes are geared toward various ages from kindergarten to adult and range in skill level from beginning to advanced. The curriculum is based on a semester system with Fall classes held August through November, Spring classes held January through April, and Summer classes held during June and July.
The program faculty are known for their expertise and experience and have developed a multi-year curriculum in the visual arts. Student receive professional high-quality instruction. The faculty are featured periodically in local newspapers.
If interested in enrolling in classes or for more information, please visit www.mckinneycenter.com .
Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts offers a full curriculum of fine arts programming that will teach comprehensive skills to individuals of all ages and abilities. The program uses the acronym ACTION to describe various age and/or skill concentrations available
