Bio - Bennie Nelson West
Bennie Nelson West, an Orange Mound native and Melrose graduate has been at the forefront of the arts in Memphis and the nation. She is passionate about the value of arts and cultural heritage and believes in the power of the arts to change lives, spark action and transform communities. Organizer of Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Inc. in 1982, and the FireHouse Community Arts Academy in 1995, past member of the boards of Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Memphis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Nelson West’s degrees and professional development training were received at Tuskegee Institute (University), Columbia University, the New School of Social Research in NYC, University of Memphis (Higher Education & Executive MBA programs) and the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
Bennie is the wife of artist Leonard West, mother of Joshua Parks, Jacob Ford and the late Sarah June Parks. She is a 1982 Leadership Memphis Alumnus, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Memphis Chapter of the Tuskegee Alumni and the Directors Council of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
We offers many classes for ages 3 to senior adults. Whether its dance, music, art, or theatre, we have the perfect classes for you.
From summer camps, to community service, we have a variety of programs in the arts. See our complete list of prgrams.
