About Us
Shared arts experiences can foster goodwill and increase awareness of the interconnectedness of members of our community. These experiences realize their full potential when they are shared among diverse participants or reach underserved or disenfranchised groups.
Jabberwocky opened its doors in January of 2015 with the goal of using art to enhance equity and inclusion in our diverse community. Through its tuition waiver policy, diverse board and staff, innovative programming and warm atmosphere, Jabberwocky has created a community where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated. In 2018 alone, Jabberwocky reached over 2,500 individuals through classes, camps, public performances/audience participation and outreach.
We invite you to explore this website to find out more about the many ways we capitalize on the power of art to lift individuals and strengthen our community as we Learn (classes and camps), Share (outreach and public performances), Work (paid internships in the arts), Speak (slam poetry team), Innovate (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math program), and Celebrate (Africa Fest).
Pictured from left to right are board members Jeanette Bailey, Jonathan Verdejo-Rocha, Tea Zeigler and Alex LeCure.
Meet Our Executive Director
Linda Schust, Ph.D., founder of Jabberwocky, moved to Columbia from Boston with her husband and three children in August of 2007. Formerly a research scientist and editor for Harvard’s online medical resource site “Veritas Medicine”, in Columbia she earned her teacher certification and taught science for Columbia Public Schools and fifth grade for Columbia Independent School. In addition to her role at Jabberwocky, Linda is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Columbia’s Business Loop CID. Linda is happy to call Columbia her adopted hometown. In her experiences in Columbia she identified a need for arts programming that supports a diverse population, and through Jabberwocky she works to ensure that participants are supported in reaching their full potential in school and work, and in living a rich and fulfilling life.