Ashley Bobbett
Ashley Bobbett is a passionate artist and dedicated arts professional whose career spans visual arts, theater production, and food service. From a young age, she immersed herself in painting, drawing, and creative experimentation, later pursuing formal studies in Fine Arts at Onondaga Community College and Theater and Design at Buffalo State University. During her time in higher education, Ashley honed her skills in set design, scene painting, prop building, and acting, while assisting classmates with directing and writing projects. Her background in theater and visual arts reflects a lifelong curiosity and commitment to creative expression.
Professionally, Ashley balances her artistic pursuits with a meaningful role in food service at Westminster Manor Assisted Living in Auburn, New York, where she contributes to arts, crafts, and entertainment programming for senior residents. She leverages her creativity to enrich the community, while applying her organizational and culinary skills to daily operations. In addition, she continues to develop her personal art practice, creating paintings, drawings, ceramics, and digital designs, and participating in local arts events such as the Cortland County Community Arts Challenge and the Homer Center for the Arts.
Ashley’s philosophy centers on the integration of art, collaboration, and community engagement. She emphasizes the importance of balancing devotion to creative projects with family life and steady work, and she brings her energy, empathy, and experience to every project she undertakes. Beyond her professional and artistic work, Ashley has been active in community theater in Auburn and continues to share her talents and mentorship with others. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both artistic expression and meaningful contribution to her community.
• Arts & Humanities
• Buffalo State University
• Onondaga Community College
• Community Theater in Auburn
• Homer Center of the Arts
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a long-standing passion for the arts, a willingness to take risks and learn new skills, and the practicality of balancing creative pursuits with reliable work. Staying open-minded, embracing challenges, and being eager to learn have also been key drivers in my growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to motivate each other, stay positive, lead by example, and always strive for excellence.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be goal-oriented, embrace the unknown, never be intimidated by others, and always know your worth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are the high competition for arts-related positions and the financial instability of creative careers, which often requires supplemental work. Opportunities lie in engaging with community theater and senior-resident arts programs, where I can share my knowledge and art, make a daily impact, and bring creativity directly to the community.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe you always have to balance a good personal life and the professional life. I took that chance to focus on settling in family life because even though I was devoted to projects and did very well as a set designer, I realized the importance of that balance. I'm glad I had that perspective, and now as a mother of two daughters, I'm happy where I am. Success comes from never quitting, be your unique self, making a difference.