Our mission is to engage the community in participation in the arts and sciences through education, discovery, exploration, and creativity.
OUR STORY
Our Programs
The Living Arts & Science Center programs are hands-on and interactive instruction in arts and science directly from professional educators and active artists and scientists. Activities include collaborative experiences for the community, educational programs in schools, community centers, attractions and other venues as well as free programming for all members of the Central Kentucky community.
The LASC also offers education tailored to special needs, at-risk and under-served children and adults. The staff and board of directors support this mission by maintaining high ethical standards and efficient oversight of the LASC.
The LASC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our Core Values
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The LASC believes that people of all ages deserve accessible opportunities to learn and to be creative.
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The LASC believes that the community is stronger through opportunities for citizens to work, create and learn together.
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The LASC believes that all of its representatives, staff, programs, and services should respect all people equally without regard to race, creed, color, financial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, religion, disability, or nationality.
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The LASC believes in honoring the community’s trust through accountability and transparency of our programs and services.
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The LASC believes in participation and interactivity and will strive to fully engage the staff, board of directors, and the community at large.
Our People
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Jeanette Tesmer is the Executive Director of The Living Arts & Science Center. Jeanette holds a BS/BA in International Business from Rockhurst University Helzburg School of Management and an MA in Art History with a concentration in Museum Studies from the University of Kentucky. She has studied abroad in Rome, Italy at Loyola-Chicago. Prior to joining LASC, she served as the Executive Director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mt. Sterling, KY. Before that, she was the Program Director at Kentucky Tourism Association, the Gallery Director and Curator of Collections at Georgetown College, and a Registrar at the International Museum of the Horse. Jeanette has also taught high school and college courses, produced art festivals, assisted with Crave Food and Music Festival, and founded Art Club, a pop up educational opportunity for adults to find their creativity and learn about art history.
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Callie Northern is the Director of Education at The Living Arts & Science Center. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Art History from Eastern Kentucky University. Before joining LASC, Callie spent five years teaching preschool education. Since 2018, she has also served as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at Pisgah Presbyterian Church. A lifelong bluegrass musician, Callie has been singing and playing fiddle since the age of eight. She has performed at a wide range of events, educational camps, and organizations, and has even taken her music abroad.
EMAIL
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Charles is an accounting and financial specialist with over 20 years of experience helping companies achieve financial success through accurate practices. Charles is a founding member of CB Consulting and plays a lead role in the preparation of financial statements, payroll and grant related reports and schedules. Charles has worked in accounting with multiple industries including hotels, landscaping, restaurants, hospitals and various industrial businesses. His expertise is helping small businesses achieve financial success through accurate accounting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, budgeting as well as short and long-term projecting.
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Lennon Michalski holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Digital Media from the University of Colorado at Boulder. For over a decade, he has actively created and taught art, exhibiting his vibrant works across the United States—in Baltimore, Colorado, Washington D.C., Kentucky, North Carolina, and Georgia—as well as internationally in China, Mexico, and Colombia. His work is included in notable collections such as the University of Kentucky Honors College, University of Kentucky Healthcare, Clark Regional Medical Center, Churchill Downs Executive Office, and Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center. He supports the arts through board service with the Kentucky Arts Council and continues to teach at Eastern Kentucky University, having also taught internationally in Ethiopia and China. His art explores themes of technology, connection, and storytelling through a blend of traditional and digital media.
EMAIL
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Virginia Carvalho is the Field Trip Coordinator at The Living Arts & Science Center. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and spent six years as a classroom teacher before joining LASC. Her background in education and passion for creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences support the work she does developing engaging field trips and programs for students throughout the community. Outside of work, Virginia enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and two children, and caring for her dog, ducks, and quails. She loves exploring new places, making memories with her family, and enjoying the simple moments in life.
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Gabriella Hoss is the Outreach Coordinator at The Living Arts and Science Center. Her work with the Mobile Planetarium and Mobile Field Trips keeps her immersed in our local communities. She loves working with students and engaging them in their next big science discoveries or art master pieces. Gabriella has a Bachelors in Fine Arts degree from Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. When she isn't working you can find her working on her own artwork, reading a good book, hanging out with her 2 dogs, or traveling around the world.
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Kristin is from South Florida and has been living in Kentucky for the last 5 years. She has been serving as an Educator here since November 2024, and is the new After School Education Coordinator for our Living Steam Academy program. She went to school for Art & Design, focusing on Photography at Asbury University. Previously, she worked as a Barista for nearly 4 years at a local coffee shop. She has a passion for all things cozy and coffee, spending quality time with her friends and family, reading while snuggling with her cat and playing games.
EMAIL
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Adrianna has been working with The Living Arts and Science Center since June 2024. She is a 2025 high school graduate from Lafayette High School. She can often be found at the front desk, but she also runs around doing birthday parties and the occasional outreach job. Adrianna is working towards college for art and can be found drawing characters from her current interests. When she is not drawing, she reads mostly fantasy books and collects pins and figures.
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Camryn works as the Front Desk and Development Assistant at LASC. They joined LASC in September 2025. Camryn has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Eastern Kentucky university. Their passion for the arts drives the work they do here at LASC as well as their own creative practice. They are a mixed media artist and have exhibited their work across Kentucky.
When not at LASC Camryn can be found working on a variety of art projects or going on walks with their two cats.
Click here to Learn about our Board
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Ruth has a Bachelor’s degree in Environment, Sustainability, and Geography from Western Kentucky University. She is very passionate about environmental education, and has more than 8 years of experience in implementing educational programs. Her background in science as well as a lifelong love of the arts supports the work that she does at The Living Arts and Science Center. She has previously worked with the LASC as a summer camp teacher and now serves the organization in a full-time role. Outside of educating, she keeps busy by volunteering and camping and hiking with her dog.
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Sawyer is originally from northern Indiana and has lived in Kentucky since 2021. They manage social media marketing, memberships, and other operations at The Living Arts & Science Center. They attended Ball State University and received a Bachelors degree in English Studies. In their free time, you can find Sawyer hiking any of the beautiful trails across the state, taking photos at local events and weddings, or spending a lazy day in with their wife and dog.