“This foundation helps anyone who wants to pursue the arts,” Jackson said. “If nothing else, I would adore for Chilton County to have a great relationship with the SCA Foundation: with us cheering them on all the way.”

SCAF has an arts outreach program and a membership gallery where businesses and private sponsors can join.

In addition to grants received, this funding helps fund private grants, scholarships, arts education programs, cultural arts economic planning and growth, art conferences and more in the following four categories: visual arts, performing arts, music and literature, Jackson said.

“We promote communities and their arts through grants, media, letters, campaigns, tourism and festivals,” she added. “Sometimes we brainstorm about new projects. Sometimes businesses wish to learn about the Foundation so they can become a sponsor and benefit the Foundation. Sometimes I introduce individual artists to the Foundation and we customize a plan where the artist can tap into much-needed resources.”

For more information about SCAF, contact Jackson at SarahJackson.scaf@gmail.com or Bise at (205) 639-3565 or dkb.sca@gmail.com.

Over the last few years, Jackson has received numerous awards in photography, writing and design.

Jackson’s photograph titled “Negative Octopus” won first place in the Altered Images category of the Smithsonian Institute’s ninth annual international photography competition in 2012.

Along with other winning photographs, Jackson’s was published in the July 2012 edition of Smithsonian Magazine and was displayed in the Museum of History and Science and then the Castle building in Washington, D.C.

Her photograph was one of 260,000 entries from more than 90 different countries.

Jackson and her family were able to see the exhibit that housed her photograph during a trip they took to Washington, D.C. over spring break this year.

“It has been such an overwhelming honor to be part of the Smithsonian even for a year,” Jackson said. “The experience of having my photograph in the Smithsonian was both exciting and humbling. Now my photograph is forever archived in the Smithsonian.”

Jackson said she plans to enter the 2014 competition.

In addition, she is entering four of her photographs in an “Alabama Artists” tour that will have stops at galleries throughout the central part of the state.

“If there is one thing I love, it’s local artists, so this tour and the concept behind it is very exciting to me,” Jackson said.

In late August, Jackson was invited to work at Dragon Con, an art show in Atlanta, by director John Parise.

Ivey Vinson, a 17-year-old Clanton resident Jackson described as “excelling in the arts,” accompanied her to the show.

“Dragon Con art show is one of the largest public art shows in the U.S.,” Jackson said. “Ivey and I got to see first-hand how this well-oiled machine works. We talked to the public, checked bags, facilitated art auctions, helped the artists and most importantly saw some world-class artwork.

“We got to meet and converse with artists such as Todd Lockwood, Tran Nyugen, Annie Steggs, Carrie Anne Baade, Tom Fleming and so many more,” she said. “It was an excellent opportunity for us to talk art, learn the trade and see the many different ways a successful art show can function.”

Another artistic venture Jackson started not long ago involves leather masks.

She decided to house her masks at Blue Phrog Gallery in Montevallo.

She also made custom candy skull masks for the Day of the Dead Festival in Birmingham in November.

“As long as my imagination keeps coming up with new inventions, I will keep working with leather,” Jackson said. “I love it.”