By JODI REYNOLDS with DEBBIE JACKSON
A new art class is coming to The CAM. Create With Joy will be led by local artist Debbie Jackson on Tuesday, June 23. The event promises an uplifting evening of art, creativity, and self-expression open to everyone. With Debbie’s guidance and joyful presence, participants can set their inner critic aside and pick up a brush without the pressure of painting to perfection.
For much of her life, Debbie Jackson believed a common misconception: that artists are born with special talent and creativity belongs to a select few. Although she was always drawn to art and crafting, she assumed that “real artists” were the ones who pursued formal training or seemed naturally gifted. Today, Jackson sees creativity very differently.
“I’ve come to believe that we are all creatives. We are all born artists,” she says. “We may express creativity in different ways, but creativity is part of who we are.”
Growing up, Jackson was surrounded by family members who loved creating. Both grandmothers were makers, one quilting and the other crocheting doll clothes. Her parents enjoyed decorative painting, woodworking, and a variety of artistic projects.
“Dad taught me to use a bandsaw, and we created many things together,” Jackson recalls. “Creativity was woven into everyday life, and crafting together became a family tradition.”
Later, she shared that same love of creating with her daughters through community art classes and creative projects. Those experiences reinforced her belief that creativity is meant to be enjoyed rather than judged.
Visits to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., along with a transformative summer in Europe exploring museums, churches, architecture, and cultural landmarks, deepened her appreciation for art. Standing before the works of masters such as Van Gogh and Monet, she found herself captivated not only by their beauty but by the mystery of their creation.
“I would stand in wonder and awe, studying the light, the shadows, the colors, and the brush strokes,” she says. “How did they capture the feeling of such beauty and magnificence?”
That curiosity remains today. When viewing artwork, she continues to study technique, composition, and the interplay of color and light. Above all, she loves color itself.
“I love color! Even my clothing choices reflect that. I dress to make me happy!” Jackson says.
As owner of Serenity Now Massage and Yoga and a longtime practitioner of the healing arts, Jackson has spent more than two decades helping people improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Her passion for expressive arts has become a natural extension of that work, blending creativity with the science of healing.
In her workshops, often called “playshops,” participants are encouraged to release perfectionism, quiet their inner critic, and reconnect with the joy of creating. The emphasis is not on producing a perfect piece of art but on embracing the process itself. Jackson believes creative expression can reduce stress, release tension, and provide a healthy outlet for emotions.
“When people gather with a shared intention to create, the experience becomes more than making art,” she explains. “It becomes a space for connection, encouragement, healing, and growth.”
Jackson is also a founding member of the Artisans of Buchanan County G.U.I.L.D., a community dedicated to Growing, Uniting, Imagining, Learning, and Doing. She emphasizes that everyone is creative.
“The challenge is not learning how to create,” she says. “It’s learning how to quiet the inner critic long enough to begin. Art isn’t about proving that you’re talented. It’s about giving yourself permission to create.”
Tickets are available at www.seeyouatthecam.com. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today. Light refreshments and all supplies are included, and additional concessions will be available for purchase. See you at The CAM.
