Magnolia Arts Spotlights

Donor Spotlight - Ann Gantt Gibson

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What a joy it has been the last nine years to watch the development of the Magnolia Arts Center! I am amazed and excited to see the events that are currently taking place: from the plays and Annual Murder Mystery Dinner, to Art and Magic shows, classes and workshops, Handmade Markets, Artist Receptions, Poetry readings, Improv Coffee Houses, and the Annual Art Show at the Blossom Festival. Wow! Thank you, Janet Rider-Babbitt, Magnolia Arts Board members, and the people of Magnolia for all you do to ensure its success.
The building, which is the current arts center, was formally the site of my great-grandparent’s family business: Gantt Mercantile. It burned in 1957 and was rebuilt. Through the years the building was passed down in the family and came to rest with me.
In the fall of 2010, I received a phone call from my longtime friend, Steve Nipper, asking if I would be interested in donating the building for the future arts center. “Yes, I was interested” and the work began.
Magnolia has deep roots for me, and I take pride in calling it “my childhood home.” I feel the strong pull of the spirits, the devotion, and the love of the people of Magnolia. I am happy to say that my family made it possible for me to provide a “home” for the Center and that Magnolians has a special place to celebrate the Arts.
Take Care and may God bless you all!
Ann 2020
In Loving Memory of my Grandmother-
Julia Goode Gantt

Meet our Board of Directors

​Meet our President Beth Anne Rankin.
Beth Anne Rankin is an honor graduate of Magnolia High School and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Ouachita Baptist University double-majoring in music and history. Named OBU’s Outstanding Senior Woman, Miss OBU, Homecoming Queen, Ouachita Sounds vocal show group performer, and OBU Tiger Band’s Feature Twirler, Beth Anne went on to serve the state as Miss Arkansas 1994 after being named a 3-time consecutive Miss Congeniality winner, 2-time Coleman Dairy Outstanding Talent winner, and Outstanding Interview winner. She was recognized at the 1995 Miss America competition as a Bert Parks non-finalist talent winner for her personal piano rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” As Governor Mike Huckabee’s policy advisor for state-federal affairs, Beth Anne served as the liaison to the National Governors Association, Southern Governors Association, Council of State Governments, Capitol Hill, and the White House. An entrepreneur and Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), Beth Anne launched her speaking and music teaching studio “Beth Anne Productions,” where she spoke at leadership conferences, composed music and produced CDs, led women’s ministry events, and co-hosted the popular Scarlet Thread Christian radio talk show. Later she served as the Executive Director of the Arkansas 529 GIFT College Savings Plan, where she launched a 75-county marketing tour, led the oversight of $600 million in assets under management, and created the statewide “Coloring for College Kindergarten Initiative.” Following her service in fundraising and philanthropy in Southern Arkansas University’s Advancement office, Beth Anne launched “Rankin Consulting” and offers expertise with leadership, education, and organizational design. Active in the music department at Central Baptist Church, Beth Anne is also a member of the women’s philanthropic education organization P.E.O. and serves as President of the Magnolia Arts Board of Directors. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Leadership and Learning in Organizations program in the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University.
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​Meet Wally Wood, our Treasurer!
Walter D. Wood, CPA, better known as Wally, is a man who has worn many hats and has been dedicated to the Magnolia community for over 60 years. Wally was born and raised in Magnolia and graduated from Magnolia High School in 1974. Knowing he wanted to eventually become a CPA he began working for his father’s firm (K. Dale Wood, CPA) at the age of 17. After graduation he began attending classes at what was then Southern State Collage and graduated with a BBA in 1978 from Southern Arkansas University. In 1980 Wally passed the CPA Exam and was now officially certified. On November 5 of the same year Wally married his wife of 40 years this fall, Jacque Black. By 1985 Wally became majority owner and president of Wood and Wood, Ltd. In the times since he has raised two children Walt and Will and served his community and state in multiple areas. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Society of CPAs, South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the DeSoto Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has served as President, Vice President and Treasurer of the South Arkansas Chapter of CPAs, Chairman of the ARCPA Management of Accounting Practice Committee, as well as a member of the AICPA Vision project. He also served on the Professional Advisory Council of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Today, Wally is still head of Wood and Wood, Ltd. Where his father still works as a CPA (at the age of 87) as well as his son Will (also a CPA) his wife Jacque and son Walt. He has remained involved in the community and is currently Secretary of the Magnolia Rotary Club, Treasure of the Magnolia Arts Counsel, President of the Magnolia Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Board, as well as a commissioner on the MRMC Board of Commissioners. He is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Arkansas Society of CPAs, the SAU Alumni Association, and the SAU Mulerider Club.
Through the years he has become a passionate believer in the finer things in life such as good food, good wine, and good company. When he’s not working, he’s either grilling something delicious, spending time with friends and family, or drinking a fine wine, among other things. He is an Eagle Scout and a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal’s fan.
 Meet Carey Baker!
Carey Baker has lived in Magnolia for over fifteen years but at three different times. The son of two Air Force officers, he grew up in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Wiesbaden, Germany, where he graduated from high school in 1986. Carey attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he was member of the 1989 and 1990 SEC Championship football teams. After graduating from UT with a degree in Education, he came to SAU in 1993 as a football graduate assistant and finished his masters in agency counseling in 1996. After coaching stints at the University of Southern Mississippi and winning a I-AA National Championship at Georgia Southern in 1999, Carey returned to SAU as defensive coordinator where the Muleriders went on to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2003. He went on to coach at the University of Charleston (WV) and Henderson State as defensive coordinator. At HSU, he helped the Reddies win the Gulf South Conference title in 2010 and Great American Conference Championships in 2011 and 2012, going undefeated in the regular season his final two years in Arkadelphia.
In 2014, Carey returned to SAU as Associate Dean of Students and in 2016 as Dean of Students. He is also an active member of First Baptist Church, Magnolia and the Rotary Club of Magnolia. He enjoys working out, playing music and spending time with his three children, Johanna, Grant, and Jay Todd, as well as his son-in-law Cooper. Carey is currently pursuing his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
​Meet Rebecca Burns Gosnell!
Rebecca Burns Gosnell was born and raised in Magnolia, Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in finance a minor in banking and marketing and a few years of working in the finance sector, Rebecca, and her husband, Chris Gosnell, returned to Magnolia in 2013.
She is a member of Magnolia Junior Charity League, where she has served as Provisional Party Chair, Public Relations, and chaired their 2017 fundraiser “Cupcakes and Cocktails”. Her current role is serving as MJCL Vice President and is over the newly formed Provisional Program, a program to educate the new members about the history and services MJCL provides for our community.
Rebecca is also currently a board member, past president and founding member of Magnolia Public Schools Foundation. She has served as chair of the Magnolia Public Schools Millage
Campaign and a past member of Arkansas Children’s Hospital Circle of Friends, Junior League of Little Rock, Emerging Leaders of Arkansas, and Risk Management Association of Arkansas
Rebecca is also a mother to two boys, Grayson, age 7, and Hayes, age 4, and enjoys traveling and spending weekends on the lake with her husband, two boys and friends.
Meet our Vice President Steve Nipper!
Steve Nipper currently serves as our Vice-President. Steve was born and raised in Magnolia. He graduated Magnolia High School and went on to further his education at the University of Arkansas receiving his B.S.B.A. in Banking and Finance and getting his Master's in Business Administration. His wife, Deborah, and he have five children and nine grandchildren. He is retired as the Community Bank President of BancorpSouth.
He currently is a City of Magnolia Councilman, Vice-Chair of the Arkansas Community Foundation, Vice-President of the Magnolia Public School Foundation, member of the Magnolia Rotary Club, Lay Leader for First United Methodist Church and Chair of the Magnolia Complete Count Committee for Census 2020.
He is past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Magnolia Regional Medical Center, past President of the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, past Chair of the Columbia County United Way, past President of the Rotary Club of Magnolia, past President of the Columbia County Community Foundation, past Chair of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association, past chair of Leadership Magnolia, past chair of the Magnolia Blossom Festival and co-founder of the Biscuit Boys.
He is a past recipient of the Leadership Magnolia award, past recipient of the Citizen of the Year from the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and past recipient of the Andrew J. Lucas Alumni Service Award from the Arkansas Alumni Association.
Meet Deby Jones, Magnolia Arts Secretary
Deby was born in Emporia, Kansas. Her family moved to Okemah, Oklahoma when she was in middle school. She graduated from Okemah, High School in 1987. She attended Oklahoma State University for three years and went to work as a graphics designer for a marketing company. She later ventured out as an entrepreneur as an owner/operator of her own pet grooming salon in Okemah. After a very successful 5 years of self-employment, she was ready for a change and she decided to pursue a career in the medical field and enrolled at Tulsa College in the Radiography program. While there she received several recognition honors, one being named the Outstanding Student her junior and senior year. Deby graduated at the top of her class with an Associate Degree in Applied Science. She worked in the Radiology Department at Okmulgee Memorial Hospital. After only two years her leadership was noticed and she was promoted to Department Supervisor holding that role for the next eight years.
This is where she met her husband Rex and started their adventure together. They moved to Costa Rica and spent three years exploring the jungles and beaches of Costa Rica and Panama. Desiring to be closer to family, they moved to Arkansas. Deby and Rex have two daughters and three grandchildren.
They moved to Magnolia due to Rex's career and have lived here for three years. Deby enjoys serving our wonderful community and is a member of the Hospital Foundation as well as Magnolia Arts Center. She has been involved in many projects at the Arts Center with the biggest project being the restructuring of the Costume and Props Department. She loves living in Magnolia and is happy to call it home.
Her hobbies include traveling, scuba diving, motorcycle rides, playing with her many pets, and scrap-booking for her grandchildren.
​Meet our newest board member Zaneta!
​Zaneta Jackson-Kitchens is a native Arkansan from Little Rock. She is a first grade teacher at East Side Elementary with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Zaneta has been working in the field of education for twelve years. This year is her seventh year teaching in Magnolia. She is married with two boys, one in college and a 5th grader at Central Elementary. She enjoys acting in musical theater, singing, reading great books, cooking, trying different foods, board games, binge-watching great shows on Netflix and hanging out with family and friends, and traveling. She has an infectious laugh that can be heard down the hall and believes that laughter and a positive spirit is a balm for the soul.