Hello!

My name is Samantha Oleschuk (she/her). I’m an arts leader, aging professional, writer, and creative aging specialist based in western North Carolina. With a passion for creativity and community, my work centers on creating and supporting accessible, inclusive programs and services for lifelong learning and engagement. 

I currently work for the High Country County on Governments as the Area Agency on Aging's Aging Services Coordinator for Compilance and Administration. I moonlight as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cultural Voice of North Carolina (CVNC) and pursue freelance writing and projects in creative aging and exhibitions.

I most recently served in a co-leadership role as Co-Director / Director of Community Engagement at Florence Thomas Art School in West Jefferson, NC, where I developed and led the SPARK Creative Aging Program.

I hold a B.A. in Art and Visual Culture with a concentration in Art Management and minors in Nonprofit Organizations and French and Francophone Studies from Appalachian State University. My honors thesis focused on creative aging programs for older adults, and this research led to the development of a storytelling resource designed to advocate for creative aging and build cross-sector support for its future.