Community Comes Together for Art in Anderson

The Anderson Art Collaborative, or AAC, is a women-led non-profit organization focused on bringing together people of all backgrounds to express their creativity through the medium of art. 

 Nancy Fuller and Cindy Gajus are the co-founders of AAC, an organization that began as a result of feeling a need for a sense of community during Covid. 

“We’re really a community-based organization,” said Fuller. “We’ve already begun to bring people together,” Gajus added.

AAC hosts many art based projects and events that help strengthen the Anderson community while promoting strong bonds within the community. 

“We’re all about bringing beauty and art to the community,” said Fuller.

In December 2025, the collaborative hosted a tile painting project where people of all ages were invited to paint tiles for a mosaic which was then unveiled in April.

“It was a big project … to bring it into a community masterpiece,” Fuller said. 

And it’s not just artists who can join in on the fun. "This is a community group that accepts everybody," said Fuller. "[We] will welcome you ... you don't have to be an artist".

“We also like to promote local business," Fuller added. 

One example is a collaboration with Wandering Monsters, a brewing company based in Cincinnati. This collaboration involved submitting designs to be painted onto the brewing company’s garage doors.

You don’t have to be well known in the community, so everyone has a chance. Out of the three designs that won, Fuller said "Two people we didn't even know won". 

There’s more than just community projects and competitions, there are also fun events such as the Color Dash in September at Beech Acres Park.

Last year’s Color Dash was much more lively than anticipated by the AAC with more than 200 participants. This year, they’re looking for volunteers.

Fuller stresses the importance of community and friendship for mental wellness.

“The people who stay connected are happiest,” she said. "If any of this appeals to you ... this is an option.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the Anderson Art Collaborative, they hold regular meetings and get-togethers that anyone and everyone is welcome to join whether you’re looking to learn something or connect with others. You can keep up with it all at https://www.andersonartcollaborative.com/.