Nolan, Lance, and Ella during last year’ s spring break in Mexico.
also teaches an online art class for Indiana University, is a tennis coach for Brown County Junior High, is on the board of the Brown County Art Guild, Indiana Heritage Arts, the Parks and Recreation Department; and volunteers for various other community organizations and events.
“ I like to have multiple things going on,” she said.“ I prefer to stay busy.”
The youngest of five daughters, Andi remembers following her dad around everywhere he went.
“ When I was growing up, he was a really good dad. He taught me how to swim, and we went on vacations together. I grew up at the Nashville House. I learned how to count change there.” She also worked at the restaurant, bussing tables, being a waitress, and working in the kitchen. Her first job at age 14 was helping with children’ s activities at Abe Martin Lodge.
She graduated from Brown County High School in 1999, where her love of art grew. But art has always been a part of her life. Her mother, Fran, was a painter, and her mother-in-law, artist Patricia Bartels— who she describes as one of her best friends— have been major influences.
Andi, now 39, was born at Bloomington Hospital and has lived in Brown County all her life, except the four years she spent at Miami University in Ohio.
Although it may have been easier for her to go through life being known mainly as Andy Rogers’ daughter, Andi said that was not for her. Instead, a reason she chose to go to college in Ohio was to get away from that image and forge her own identity. At Miami, she graduated with a degree in art education, met Lance, and forged friendships that remain strong today. She later earned a master’ s degree in education administration from Ball State University through their online learning program.
Her first job after college was teaching art for all students, K-12, at Medora, Indiana. She spent four years there before becoming a part-time art teacher at Brown County Junior High, sharing that job for five years with Patricia( who was Andi’ s art teacher in junior high). When Patricia retired, Andi had the opportunity to take the junior high job but didn’ t want people to think she hadn’ t earned it on her own.
Instead, she took a job in admissions of Harrison College in Columbus, and later became registrar for two years. But the hours were hard on her family, so she took a job teaching art at Richards Elementary and later Mt. Healthy Elementary for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. She was hired as the Brown County High School art teacher at the beginning of the current school term.
As an art teacher, she values natural talent and ability, but doesn’ t necessarily grade on“ how amazing” their art is.
“ I want all kids to be comfortable with art. It’ s something everybody can access, enjoy, and appreciate. For me, it’ s a need. I need to be able to create, to make something.” That art may be expressed in many ways, from her daughter’ s birthday cake to Halloween costumes for friends, to more traditional forms.
Continued on 28 March / April 2020 • Our Brown County 27