DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) – Art in Public Places has announced its 2025–2026 Junior Board, a group of high school students chosen to serve in youth leadership roles supporting arts and community projects across the Wiregrass.
The Junior Board initiative is designed to give juniors and seniors the opportunity to participate in arts leadership, public service, and community enrichment. Members will assist with volunteer coordination, public art events, and educational programming while gaining experience in nonprofit leadership and arts advocacy.
Students were selected through an application process earlier this year that included panel interviews and review by past Junior Board members and the APP Board of Directors.
Returning member Jansen Kirkland, a senior at Houston Academy, said the experience has been rewarding. “Being a part of the APP Junior Board last year was truly such a great experience. I not only got to see the impact that organizations like this one have on the community, but I was also able to influence the area myself and meet so many great people,” Kirkland said.
Executive positions for the new board were elected this month. Providence High School senior Oliver Parsons will serve as president. “Art in Dothan is something that means a lot to me, so it is a privilege to be on the Junior Board of an organization that helps to expand access to art in the area,” Parsons said.
Other officers include Henry Parsons, vice president; Ella Cobb, secretary; Lilly Richards, treasurer; Xiomara Birdsall, public relations chair; and Olivia Shows, junior ambassador.
Additional members are Abby Blevins, Jessa Buker, Shelby Davis, Lydia Dowling, Payton Goodin, Jillian Hogan, Kirkland, Cowdery Merrill, Bella Nichols, Avani Patel, Pari Patel, Jenna Snider, and Abigail Tankersly.
Advisors to the executive board are Tara Harris, Emily Knight, Erin Merrill, and Executive Director Holly Meyers.
Art in Public Places is a nonprofit that promotes public art installations, community events, and programs to support a thriving arts ecosystem in the Wiregrass. More information is available at www.artinpublicplaces.art.
