Staff Spotlight: Jamie McGuinness
We’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of our newest team members - Jamie McGuinness! As our new Education Coordinator, Jamie will run our Educator programs, including the Materials Mobile and annual pay-what-you-can Educator Extravaganza. She brings her fantastic experience as a former park ranger, wilderness educator, and event coordinator to the role and we’re so excited to have her knowledge and positive attitude on the team! Outside of work, she’s an avid crafter and enjoys Austin’s nature and music scenes with her chihuahua-blue heeler mix, Kara Zor-el. Read on to learn more about Jamie!
How did you find Austin Creative Reuse?
If you spend enough time in the crafting community you will hear about the magical place that is ACR, and check it out for yourself and your life will never be the same!
Also, my friend Bianca has worked here for years!
What’s your favorite part about working at ACR?
Getting to inspire young minds to reuse creatively!
How’d you end up as the Education Coordinator at ACR?
As a former event coordinator and park ranger/wilderness educator, with a passion for crafting and sustainability it seemed like a natural fit.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve found donated to ACR?
We have a really cool necklace in Batreuse’s Emporium this week that is dyed pieces of coral. It’s really cool because you can see all of the different textures of the coral!
Are you an artist, crafter, or maker? What mediums do you work with? What kinds of arts and crafts do you like to do?
Currently my crafts are very nature focused, using organic materials and trash found in the natural world. Upcycling and mending clothes is my newest hobby but I also enjoy painting with acrylics/watercolors, collaging, making polymer clay jewelry and bug pinning!
What do you do when you’re not working at ACR/what other hobbies do you have?
I enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, gardening and roller skating. I also love supporting our local music scene!
Do you have any children or pets?
I have a chihuahua/blue heeler mix named Kara Zor-el, after Supergirl.
Are you from Austin? If so, tell us about your experience here! If not, where are you from and what brought you here?
My dad was in the Air Force so I grew up all over, before moving to Texas in High School. After graduating from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, a friend offered me a job at his production company here in Austin where I worked hospitality for music festivals until COVID, after which I pivoted to an exciting career in outdoor education.