Jennifer K. Owens

The Thea Foundation advocates for the importance of the arts in the development of our youth. I help develop and implement plans to raise vital funds for the arts in Arkansas. Thea Foundation’s three main programs are scholarships, which has awarded more than $2.35 million to Arkansas high school seniors; Thea’s Art Closet, which provided more than $70,000 of creative materials and art supplies throughout the state just this year; and Arts Reconstruction, which places string music programs back in schools and visual arts teacher training.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

Best advice I ever received:

You can do way more than you think you can. Keep going.

Most rewarding part of my job:

Seeing the impact the arts have on students from receiving scholarship money for their talents to providing much-needed resources to teachers for projects in the classroom

Favorite part of living in Little Rock:

Being born and raised in Little Rock, I love the sense of community. No matter where you go, you will more than likely run into someone you know. However, there are always new people to meet wherever you go.

If I could lunch with any woman, it would be:

Margaret Thatcher. “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

How I define success:

Knowing what you are doing is helping you and others lead a better, happier life

Advice for my 18-year-old self:

You don’t know everything! It is okay to make mistakes — and you will make them — but learn from those mistakes and keep going.

My typical workday:

No two days have been the same. I could be helping teachers in south Arkansas to get funds for an art project or planning and executing a formal event or speaking about the needs of the arts in our schools.

I wish I knew how to:

Sing! Don’t get me wrong, I love to sing and do every chance I get. That isn’t to say I am very good.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

PRESSING QUESTIONS

Best advice I ever received:

Most rewarding part of my job:

Favorite part of living in Little Rock:

If I could lunch with any woman, it would be:

How I define success:

Advice for my 18-year-old self:

My typical workday:

I wish I knew how to:

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Neighborhood you live in

Marlowe Manor

Hometown

Little Rock

Last good read

“The Twelve-Mile Straight” by Eleanor Henderson

Favorite Food

Cheese

Favorite Lunch Spot

Kemuri

First thing you do at the office each morning

Check email

Last splurge

Shoes

Hobbies

Play with Odie, Tula and Truman and spend time with loved ones

Dream Vacation

Paris

Favorite Song

“Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson

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