By Linda Steele | [email protected]

The Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan (CASWJ) is the place where artist enthusiasts in the community of West Jordan goes to enjoy the performing arts. CASWJ contributes to the lives of the community and provides opportunities for experiencing, performing and enjoying their talents together in the community.

The mission of the CASWJ: to promote a rich cultural life for West Jordan residents promoting and sustaining visual, performing and literary arts in our community.

The vision of the CASWJ council is to promote an appreciation for diversity of the arts in the community; to encourage the community to get involved and participate in a wide variety of artistic achievements; and help the community to know the artists and be aware of cultural events.

CASWJ consists of eight arts organizations: jazz band, senior band, concert band, symphony, Sugar Factory Playhouse, West Jordan Youth Theatre, visual arts and literary arts. The CASWJ has been operating as an organization independent of West Jordan City since Jan. 1, 2019.

The CASWJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to organizing fundraising events and quality programs.

CASWJ is always looking for volunteers to help with cultural arts. Volunteers are always welcome. Donations are accepted to help keep the cost of the tickets free or as low as possible. Sponsors help with a lot of things behind the scenes. Sponsors are appreciated and enjoy a lot of benefits for sponsoring. Go on the website to find out more about volunteering, donations and sponsorship at https://www.wjarts.org.

If you're an actor, musician, artist, dancer or writer, reach out to the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan. Your talents are always welcome. By performing in CASWJ you can bring the community together with the magic of the arts.

Children are welcome too. There is the West Jordan Youth Theatre for ages 8–18. The Youth Theatre provides great live performances for the whole family. Since 2006, the youth group has performed two productions per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. West Jordan Youth Theatre has a fun environment for children where they can create memories and friendships. As children continue to grow in theater, they can learn life skills and use them throughout their lives.

The youth theater offers workshops for audition help, choreography and workshops to help children learn about performing. There is a free virtual workshop that happens a few hours a week from your home. Find out more information on the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan website.

The Sugar Factory Playhouse’s roots go back to the creation of the West Jordan Performing Arts Board established in 1995. Since that time, the board evolved into the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan which embrace all of the arts in performance, art and creativity.

Vic Groves is the President of CASWJ. He has been involved in the arts for more than 50 years, and his involvement in West Jordan arts is more than 20 years. He has served as chair of the former West Jordan Arts Council and West Jordan Theater Arts. Groves has vast experience as an actor, as well as building sets, directing music and producing productions.

Ken Gerber has been in West Jordan since July 2001. In 2003, Gerber and his family saw “Brigadoon” in the park.

“The set was the most amazing thing we had ever seen, like a real-life transformer, “Gerber said. “The play was incredible. I became hooked. I have been a part of Sugar Factory Playhouse ever since. I was approached when the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan was being created, and I have been involved ever since. I have always been an entrepreneur. My work has always put me in front of people and building relationships. I have used those relationships to help build the arts in West Jordan.”

Jen Worthen is director of the West Jordan Jazz Band and the West Jordan Concert Band’s current director. Her musical experience began in fifth grade.

A teacher saw that students were struggling to make connections. This teacher began an elementary band program. From the time Worthen tried to make a sound on the clarinet, she was hooked on music. Worthen always to this day looks for ways to pay back the elementary teacher by paying it forward to future generations. She is grateful to that teacher.

Michelle Groves, Sugar Factory Theatre Chairperson, has been active in the Sugar Factory Playhouse since 1998. She has served as a chair of the theater group for several years. She is experienced in planning, organizing, set builder, actress, seamstress, painter and director.

To learn more about the Cultural Arts Society of West Jordan, go to https://www.wjarts.org. You can reach out on Facebook and Instagram or write to the organization at PO Box 1272 West Jordan, UT 84084.