Jennifer Eifert believes life is too short to stop exploring, learning, and embracing new adventures. After a successful decade in dental technology, she took an unexpected turn in her late 40s, returning to school to pursue her interest in art. That decision eventually led her to become director of The Kelly in Wetumpka, where she has helped transform a small gallery into a thriving community art center. From traveling the world to discovering new passions and challenges, Jennifer approaches life with curiosity, determination, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone.

BOOM: Jennifer, when you look at your life today, you’re doing work you love, meeting interesting people, traveling, and still finding new adventures. Is this anything like the life you imagined for yourself 20 years ago?

Jennifer: Twenty years ago, I had an infant and a toddler and didn’t really have an idea of what the future looked like. I have always tried to make travel and adventures part of my life, but I had not yet discovered how much I enjoy being in a leadership role. I had not considered that I might find a path that included art.

BOOM: You spent about a decade working in dental technology before deciding to pursue an interest you’d always had in art. What was happening in your life that made you decide it was time to explore something different?

Jennifer: I had become limited by my success; it is hard to leave a good job with a good company. Sometimes we just get comfortable. The opportunity to make this change was related to COVID. When the whole world shut down, I had the opportunity to go back to school. I decided this time I would focus on something just because I wanted to.

BOOM: You made a comment about reaching your late 40s and deciding, essentially, “Who cares what anyone thinks?” Was there a moment when you realized you didn’t have to keep following the same path simply because it was familiar?

Jennifer: We spend so much of our youth trying to fit in, trying not to make mistakes, doing what is expected. I think as we get older, we can embrace who we actually are. We learn that we can fail and try again. We also discover that sometimes the thing we are doing is the wrong thing for us, even if it looks like success.

BOOM: Going back to school and starting over professionally takes courage. What were your biggest doubts or challenges, and what helped you push through them?

Jennifer: I was a little concerned that it would be strange going to school with people almost the same age as my children, but it was surprisingly easy. It was a little challenging following all the rules, as an adult used to making my own decisions without asking for permission.

BOOM: You started at The Kelly as an intern in 2020 and eventually became its director. What began as an interest in art turned into something much bigger. What surprised you most about where that first step led?

Jennifer: The most surprising part about what has happened since I started with The Kelly is how fast we have grown. When I started, The Kelly was renting a space from the chamber of commerce and hosting three exhibitions a year. We have moved twice since then into progressively bigger buildings and hosted as many as eleven exhibits in a year. We have also added children’s programs, adult classes, a summer program, an art summit, a ladies’ health and wellness event, and an annual festival.

BOOM: You told me that The Kelly is a job you genuinely enjoy going to every day. What have you discovered about the kind of work—and the kind of life—that makes you feel most fulfilled?

Jennifer: There are so many aspects of my role that are interesting, creative, fun, and challenging, but the most fulfilling part of my job is the people. I love seeing our little ones excited about coming in and making art. I love that teenagers feel comfortable hanging out and turning their ideas into digital art. We host all the Elmore County fourth graders each year, and they come back with their parents and show them what they have seen. They are now comfortable in an art museum, and hopefully art will become a continuing part of their lives. We have amazing volunteers that bring so many talents to The Kelly and who make it feel almost like family.

BOOM: You initially thought you wanted to be a curator, but soon discovered you enjoyed everything from curating to strategic planning. Has getting older made you more willing to explore things you’re not yet good at or take on challenges you might have avoided earlier in life?

Jennifer: I don’t know if getting older has made me more willing to explore things or if exploring new things leads to exploring other new things. I had always been uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, and radio and television were even worse. It really does get easier every time, and now I speak to groups, do interviews, teach lessons; often it is even fun.

BOOM: Downtown Wetumpka has experienced quite a transformation in recent years, with new businesses, visitors, and renewed energy. From your perspective at The Kelly, what has been most exciting about watching downtown evolve, and what do you hope its future looks like?

Jennifer: The future looks very bright for Wetumpka. There are so many things that come together to drive this success: the Mayor, City leaders, our Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, local businesses. There is a feeling of community and excitement that makes people want to be there, want to be involved. We love being a part of such a great town.

BOOM: For readers who haven’t visited The Kelly, tell us a little about what it is and what makes it special. What do you hope people experience when they walk through the doors, whether they’re lifelong art lovers or someone who’s never stepped inside a gallery?

Jennifer: The Kelly began as The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery to honor John Kelly Fitzpatrick. He was an artist and teacher who was a founder of the Dixie Art Colony and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. We have grown into a vibrant art center that continues his legacy. We still have exhibitions, but now also have children’s programs, adult classes, an art summit, and even a festival.

I hope everyone who comes to The Kelly feels welcome. I think that is a very important part of what we do and how we have grown into what we are. I want people to enjoy the art. I hope they are inspired to create; it is wonderful when they decide to be involved with The Kelly, but I believe the reason people enjoy coming in and keep coming back is because they do feel welcome.

BOOM: You grew up with an international family background and military influences, and travel has remained an important part of your life. What do you love most about experiencing unfamiliar places, and how has travel changed the way you see the world?

Jennifer: Travel broadens our perspective and exposes us to new cultures. There are so many things to see, foods to eat, people to meet. When I was young and complaining about being bored, my mother told me to make a list of everything I want to do in my life and do it. She said she had a list and had done everything on it, her only regret was that her list was too short. I determined then that my list was never going to be “too short”.

BOOM: You’ve stayed involved in Scouting even after your sons aged out, and it’s taken you into adventures like caving and climbing. What’s one experience that pushed you outside your comfort zone and left you thinking, “I’m really glad I did that”?

Jennifer: The whole experience of scouting has pushed me outside my comfort zone. I was never a camper growing up, sleeping in the woods, cooking on a propane stove. Now I love so many parts of camping: sitting around the campfire, snuggling down in a thick sleeping bag when it is cold, early morning coffee by a lake. I also enjoy the satisfaction of being able to set up a tent, build a fire, hike up a mountain.

BOOM: Your sons are now young adults, and life looks different from those busy years of raising children. What are you enjoying about this new season of family life, and has it opened doors to things you didn’t have time for before?

Jennifer: I am enjoying the freedom of this season of family life. I can travel, work crazy hours, meet a friend for coffee without worrying. I also enjoy the relationship I have with my boys now. They are interesting, funny, insightful young men.

BOOM: You said something I really liked: “I don’t want to be bored, and I don’t mind hard.” Have you always approached life that way, or has getting older changed your willingness to take risks and try difficult things?

Jennifer: I have always approached life this way. I can remember being newly married, newly arrived in Japan, alone because my husband had been deployed. I wondered what on earth I had gotten myself into. It turned out to be a grand adventure and a great experience, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.

BOOM: When you think about aging well, what matters most to you now? Are there things you’ve become more intentional about—or things you’ve learned to worry less about—as you’ve gotten older?

Jennifer: I used to work out to be thin; now I work out to be strong. There are so many things I want to do and places I want to go, and I would hate for the reason I couldn’t do something to be because I quit trying.

BOOM: There are plenty of BOOM readers who may have spent decades raising families, building careers, or doing what was expected of them. Some may still have an interest or dream they’ve never pursued. What would you tell someone who wonders whether it’s too late to start something new?

Jennifer: I think that people spend time doing things for other people and that is important, but when your children are grown, and your career is established or even over, why not do something for yourself? Try something just because you want to, learn a skill even if it is completely impractical, follow that dream. Who gets to decide it’s too late? It isn’t getting earlier; go do it!

Quick Take with Jennifer

  1. Favorite way to spend a Saturday: Exploring a new place
  2. A place you’d love to visit again: Sedona, AZ, or anywhere in Hawaii
  3. An artist or work of art you never tire of: “David” by Michelangelo
  4. Most adventurous thing you’ve ever tried: I hiked 26.3 miles for Make-A-Wish, twice.
  5. Favorite restaurant in the River Region: I love all the cool local places in Wetumpka!
  6. A hobby or skill you’d still love to learn: I have bongo drums!
  7. Best advice you’ve ever received: “You know all those things you always wanted to do; you should go do them.”
  8. Something people would be surprised to know about you: I was very shy!
  9. Your idea of a perfect afternoon: beach, sun, waves
  10. One thing you’re looking forward to: Grandchildren

We thank Jennifer for sharing her story with us! If you know someone who would make a great cover profile, please email jason@riverregionboom.com.