Nevada Wild Featured Artist: Jenna Jewett
Submitted by Susanne Reese
This month we feature: Jenna Jewett, Digital Creator, Set Designer and Artist
Jenna Jewett is an artist that I have had the pleasure to have known for over ten years. Jenna was born and raised in Elko, Nevada. I met Jenna when she joined art classes as a teenager, and have watched her grow and develop her enthusiasm, skills and talents throughout the years. Many young people ask for advice regarding their interest in the art world and wonder how they can approach developing a career in arts. Jenna’s history sets a great example for anyone that aspires to become an artist. The first rule is to practice what you love, working to add to your formal education on the subject. Knowing what makes you happy is a big step toward your personal success. You learn to ignore setbacks, to persevere and believe in yourself. You keep creating and learning from each of your experiences. Volunteer as often as possible, maybe at a museum, gallery or art club and learn from other artists. An aspiring artist will build confidence when they write a resume of achievements, as they gain knowledge and experience. The resume creates a solid road map to future successes and helps develop a constructive list of contacts to aid in future networking. Write down your goals and aspirations, and keep working on a list of your artworks, customers, classes, workshops and sales.
Jenna’s love for art began to grow during those early art classes with teacher Lynne Kistler As she worked in different mediums, she was introduced to various artistic techniques. She learned about art history and was challenged to develop her own style. She found her true calling when she worked in the Overland Stage production of Beauty and the Beast. She volunteered with the theater group, discovered set design and realized her ability to paint and create large scale props. Working with that team gave her a sense of belonging, security and direction. Her hobby became a passion and her true calling in life.
Since that initial introduction to theater, Jenna has worked on many stage productions and networked with several production companies including StarLIGHT Productions, Robinhood Renaissance Fair, and Adventures in Pop Art at the Northeastern Nevada Museum. Her appreciation of the teamwork and the group’s commitment taught her many valuable life lessons. She is committed to theater work and is dedicated to working in all areas of theater production including acting, management and marketing, back-stage creation including set design, lighting and graphic design. She began writing scripts, enhancing dialogs and even worked as an assistant director. Jenna is most enthusiastic when speaking about how important each element and each person’s contribution is so important to the quality of the play.
Her most recent passion has been expressed through her personal projects in digital creation. Jenna realized she would need to create a plan to further develop and expand her skills which would enable her to program art into community activity. She has been writing and filming short digital stories since 2025 and is focused on sharing her love and appreciation of art with the younger generation. She created a character named “Adventure Jenn.” Through her interactive story as Adventure Jenn, she is sharing stories with the hope of sparking creativity and the imagination of youngsters. Jenna’s expertise and experience as a digital creator has opened many doors for her talents and communicated her ability and success as an online influencer and arts advocate. Jenna has many examples of her digital series “Adventure Jenn” in her portfolio, as well as many short action stories to share.
Jenna’s first love is Children’s Theater and her plan of action is to help offer greater access to arts and art education in Elko County, tutor and influence children’s creativity, reaching more children in her community, while enhancing her own artwork and knowledge. She feels that learning some art history and practicing the methods and styles of the Masters, would be a positive influence needed by children and a valuable asset to her rural community.
Jenna is a good example of giving back to her community. She continues working with local theater companies and helping fund the theatrical arts by donating her artwork to help finance productions. She also volunteers at the Northeastern Nevada Museum, assisting their Education Coordinator, D’ette Mawson, with art education outreach projects. Jenna is currently enjoying guitar lessons, so she can bring live music into her children’s theater and art classes.
After nearly a decade of volunteer work with youth and arts education outreach, helping entertain, teach and build creative opportunity, her current project is a community event: the annual ART IN THE PARK. Jenna invites you to join her at the “Kids Corner.” Please support this important local event, which will be held July 11 from 9:00 to 5:00 and July 12 from 9:00-3:00. Don’t miss a minute of the fun, and don’t forget to visit the Northwest Nevada Museum, right there in the Main City Park!
Presented annually by Elko County Art Club. The art club is located at 407 Railroad Street in the HEART of Elko. Phone them at 775-753-8170. Please Support Community Art Outreach and Artists in Elko County.