Our Mission
The Shine House inspires people to imagine, discover, and connect through programs and experiences in the creative arts.
Our Vision
The vision of The Shine House is to empower the community to celebrate its differences through creative expression and increase a sense of belonging and acceptance of all individuals.
Our Values
Compassion: Within these community walls and beyond, we feel it is vital to have compassion. Compassion for ourselves and others, as well as the will to help one another in times of need.
Encourage: Encouraging others builds hope and strength. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
Balance: Balance of work and play, experimentation and skilled, self care and care for others.
Respect: Valuing others opinions and art, acceptance and embracing others differences.
Kindness: Kindness in words, actions, and thoughts.
Empower: The ability to lift each other up is a gift. As you grow, I grow, and our community will grow.
- Compassion 100%
- Encourage 100%
- Balance 100%
- Respect 100%
- Kindness 100%
- Empower 100%
About the Shine House
We currently have five certified yoga instructors to lead and educate the community in body movement and relaxation art forms: yoga, meditation, and breathe work
This creative educational space has been developed with inclusion in mind.
The Shine House idea grew from the vision of a place where all would feel welcome. All would be welcome regardless of age, educational level, ability, disability, artistic knowledge, current or past life situation. This vision sparked a partnership with Chris and Tina George and ABA, Applied Behavioral advancements. Chris and Tina George believe in people and their community. Through this partnership the Shine House has branched our relationships with the Adult Training Centers in our area. Meeting people through these centers has been a gift.
Get to Know Us
Tara Helser
Executive Director
She is influenced by many artists but favors Paul Klee and Henry Matisse. She relates heavily to their use of shape, line, and color.
A mother of five children, Tara has continued to expand and pursue her education in the Arts and in Teaching. Through her private studio she has empowered pupils both privately and in group sessions, to explore and develop their own creative talents.
Tara has a background in dance. She studied jazz and tap for ten years and was a member of The Lancaster Ballet Company in Lancaster, Ohio. It is this love of dance that encouraged her love of movement. She is now a certified teacher in yoga and pilates, having trained under the beautiful and talented Jenny Williams of Someret, Kentucky.
Excited and motivated to share her knowledge in the fields of visual arts and movement with her community, Tara is also very eager to learn from her community. She sees The Shine House as the great facilitator for both!
Emma Bane
Art Assistant
Emma Bane is a senior at Southwestern High School and is taking classes at Somerset Community College. She plans on majoring in Psychology.
She had art inspiration everywhere growing up. Her mom (Tara Helser) encouraged her to constantly practice art when she was younger. She enjoys drawing and painting.
Emma loves working with others and helping people express themselves through various art forms. She is very excited to teach others new art processes.
Get to Know Our Board
Hala Ayyash
Board Chair
Ali Hicks
Treasurer
Amanda Southard
Secretary
Emily Edwards
Board Member
Tara Helser
Executive Director