Arts initiatives aren’t just for metropolitan areas.
Amanda Bowman and the Walton Artist Collaborative are bringing these opportunities to suburban and rural Boone County as well. The Walton Artist Collaborative is a relatively new addition to the city and they’re enthusiastic.
The group, which started in April 2026, meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. to discuss arts initiatives they can implement throughout the city and programming plans.
When Walton resident Amanda Bowman approached Mayor Terri Courtney with this idea earlier this year, Courtney knew the city needed this organization. Now, she attends meetings and helps out whenever possible.
“It’s an outlet for creative minds to bring our community members together for a common goal,” Courtney said. “They’re sharing ideas, being creative and improving our community. They are offering something that’s never been offered here before.”
Bowman first approached Courtney about a local arts initiative earlier this year. She wanted more opportunities for artistic collaboration and education.
“There is a need in our community for the arts,” Bowman said. “This is something that I would have wanted when I was a kid here. Still, I was really surprised at the support we received when we started.”
Bowman graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrative Media, Painting and Photography with a micro-credential in screen printing. Since then, she’s worked in screen printing and arts programs with restorative practices.
Helping lead the charge is Walton resident Brooke Roberts, a local artist with a studio in her backyard. Jayme Bonar, a committed local artist in Walton, is also a dedicated member of the group. Bowman, Roberts and Bonar, along with other committed collaborative members, have been creating city-supported arts programming for the last few months. Their first program was a watercolor night in August, followed by other craft nights attended by locals.
The group conducted a poll on Facebook in early November and found that residents want more arts programming.
“The results show that if we had a space that was open seven days a week, more than likely a person would show up every day,” Bowman said.
On the initiative side of their operation, the Walton Artist Collaborative is also planning a mural in Walton Community Park. The mural is being designed by students at Walton-Verona High School with feedback from the collaborative.
“We’re not at the painting stage yet; we’re still critiquing and finalizing the design,” Bowman said.
The next scheduled Walton Artist Collaborative program will take place next Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Walton Senior Center. Attendees will work together on a gratitude banner and create snowmen or turkeys out of small wooden discs.
Long term, Bowman has big ideas for the group.
“My goal is to make this into an arts nonprofit,” Bowman said. “I want culture to be more important in Walton. I want kids to see that art happens outside of the classroom. I want people outside of Cincinnati to still be able to pursue the arts.”
Any Walton resident can join the Walton Artist Collaborative. Their next meeting is at Walton City Hall on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
