MUNSTER, Ind. (July 17, 2023) – Last week South Shore Arts welcomed Jessica Corral as their new Director of Education. Corral will be responsible for leading and driving growth in Arts Education and Outreach programming across Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties. She will also support the educational outreach efforts of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
“After an extensive search and many fine recommendations, we chose Jessica to lead our Arts Education and Outreach efforts,” said Executive Director Dave Mika. “I am confident given Jessica’s extensive experience as an artist, educator, entrepreneur, and community-engaged leader, she will provide a strong foundation on which to expand our Arts Education programming and add tremendous depth to our talented South Shore Arts leadership team.”
Corral has served as an art educator for Valparaiso Community Schools since 2011 at Flint Lake Elementary. She was also the Art Department Chair and a member of the District Leadership team, and she led and coordinated the district’s initial “Spring into the Arts” festival. Prior to becoming an Art Instructor, Corral organized and ran her own boutique, Jade and Raspberry Designs, which later morphed into DIY Art Studio. She continues to be an active artist and is currently serving as the first Executive Director of the Valparaiso Creative Council, a not-for-profit community organization created to champion artistic endeavors throughout the Valparaiso community. Corral is an alumna of Indiana University in Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She has her Masters in Education from Calumet College of Saint Joseph.
As Director of Education for the South Shore Arts, Corral will work closely with staff and instructors to ensure the highest standards of education for classes and workshops at the main South Shore Arts location in Munster and the satellite location in downtown Hammond, Indiana. Corral will continue South Shore Arts outreach efforts, such as the “everykid” program which has served 139 classrooms this past school year, engaging 3,500 students in various art and literacy programs.
