Photo submitted to the Times Observer Jennifer Bliss and Erin Wallace are driving more arts into the community, adding more opportunities and creating a space for it, in collaboration with the Warren Forest Higher Education Council (Hi-Ed).

Creativity has a way of connecting people which in turn, makes a community a better place for all.

Jennifer Bliss and Erin Wallace have a vision of creating a community where everyone can come together to create and enjoy arts and culture. Three years in the making, a local arts agency is coming to fruition, class by class, artist by artist, and beyond. After reaching out to other organizations, bouncing ideas off of one another, Bliss and Wallace found themselves meeting with the local Crary Art Gallery as well as the Erie Arts and Culture. A support system that promotes, networks and connects the community to all of the arts in the region, “Create Community Local Arts Agency” was born.

Hi-Ed has welcomed Create Community as a new program of the Warren Forest Higher Education Council operating under the Hi-Ed umbrella by expanding opportunities for arts and cultural programming throughout the community.

“We are extremely excited to have Create Community as part of Hi-Ed programming, and being able to work to provide quality education to our community,” shared Executive Director John Papalia.

Located at the hospital state grounds at 589 Hospital Drive, Suite F, Warren, Hi-Ed offers a variety of art classes, workshops, and creative experiences designed to give residents of all ages the chance to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and connect with others. Hi-Ed supports programming that strengthens community connection, wellness, and creative engagement across Warren County. The partnership with Create Community provides further opportunities and many more avenues to engage and explore.

Wallace shared how important art and creative expression are in her life, “The way I explain it is that for my quality of life, for my ability to function in the world, I need art. If art was taken away, I wouldn’t be able to breathe and Jennifer is very much the same. It’s just part of who we are. We recognize that for others and want to ensure they have local options that help them breathe and live well.”

Passionate about developing a maker space for adults, where people can go beyond a single class, and find a place where they can do more, Wallace and Bliss agreed there is a need to have a creative space that can be truly inspirational. “A lot of us have a craft room or a sewing room, or whatever it is, but too often it ends up getting pushed to the side. Things get in the way, we fill it up with other stuff, because we don’t prioritize time or space for ourselves,” said Wallace, who is also the Mental Wellness coordinator at the YMCA of Warren County. Therefore, another important piece of the Create Community mission is overall wellness, in mental, emotional, and physical health.

In addition, the two have a desire to support the needs of artists, whether it be reaching out to different resources or connecting with other groups at all levels. Creating a safe space where people can create in a community, regardless of their skill level, connects people in many ways. Connecting all of that within the community, for the community, the agency helps to promote art and culture. Done through arts organizations, cultural organizations and artists in our area, and then also help to promote arts and cultural events happening in the region.

A place where all the arts are being promoted in several ways, whether it’s an upcoming show for an artist or a musician or someone who will teach a class. If people want to come together to have discussions and share ideas, this agency provides the space for that to happen. Providing a space where people can have “artist jam sessions” is vital,” said Bliss.

Create Community is actively sharing art and culture events, programs, and opportunities across the region, focusing on experiences that are accessible within a day’s trip. Through regular social media posts, they highlight performances, exhibits, workshops, and community happenings that showcase the richness of the PA Wilds and extend into the surrounding tri-state area. This effort is designed to increase visibility, encourage participation, and make it easier for residents and visitors alike to discover meaningful cultural experiences close to home.

In tandem with promotion, Create Community is advancing a Culture Asset Mapping initiative to build a comprehensive inventory of the region’s artistic and cultural ecosystem. This includes organizations, venues, businesses, and individuals contributing to arts and culture — such as musicians, visual artists, educators, historical groups, and creative entrepreneurs. The goal is to develop a connected, functional network that strengthens the sector and improves pathways for engagement. Community members are encouraged to share information about cultural assets they know or represent, helping expand this resource and amplify the collective reach and impact of the region’s creative economy.

Both Bliss and Wallace agree, “The quality of your life is what activities you’re involved in and how you use them. And so we want to help with that part of it, whether it’s culinary arts, photography, music, media arts, literary arts, performing arts, and beyond.”

The mission includes intergenerational interaction because learning, interaction and support helps to develop relationships. Whatever those activities are, when people are connected with others, it helps with mental, emotional, and physical well-being. People can be the best version of themselves possible.

“We want to be able to help in whatever way that is, whether somebody wants to learn how to sew, work with clay, explore junk journaling, learn and be mentored by an artist. We want to help with all of that and more,” said Wallace.

Whether you’re an artist, supporter, or simply love the arts, the invitation is here to be part of a vibrant creative community that brings people together and makes our region shine. The idea is to revitalize the area by providing inspiration, learning and empowerment, all while collaborating and connecting.

Organizations that have partnered include the YMCA of Warren County, Warren Forest Hi-Ed Council, Warren Works, Family Services of Warren County, Senior Helpers, Bough & Bend Floral, and Senior Helpers. The agency is a member of the Route 6 Alliance and PA Wilds Cooperative.

A new class schedule is out, along with the Warren-Forest Hi-Ed Council, both organizations bring classes for spring and summer seasons and can be found online at:

Create Community membership supports the agency and provides members with information, resources, discounts, and more. Explore membership options at CreateCommunityLAA.com.

Visit Hi-Ed.org for a full list of upcoming classes and programs.