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MEET OUR STAFF
Joanne Woodward
Executive Director
Originally from St. Augustine, Florida, Joanne moved to Floyd in 1997 after visiting her retired parents for a long weekend. She fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains, the vibrant art community, and the beauty of Appalachian culture.
Joanne is deeply committed to the June Bug Center's mission of inspiring and empowering individuals through the arts and STEAM. She and her daughters have been part of the June Bug Center family for a decade and know firsthand the important role the JBC has in the community.
In addition to her role at The June Bug Center, Joanne is an active member of the Floyd community, serving on several local agricultural and community boards. She regularly collaborates with local schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to enhance the cultural and educational offerings in the community. When she’s not at the center, Joanne enjoys exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, tending to the many acres of blueberries at Eggers Berry Farm, and spending time with her family.
Samantha Oty
Program Coordinator
​Samantha is a graduate of Radford University (B.S. English; Technical Editing and Writing) and The George Washington University (M.P.S. Publishing; Editorial/Marketing and Promotion). Her first play, "Demolition Lovers," was written during her sophomore year of high school and won the 2010 New Voices playwriting contest. She has been writing ever since.
Her plays have been produced at MadLab Theatre, Northern Kentucky University, and The Pharmacy Theatre. Her play "New Year's Eve at the Stop-n-Go" was adapted into the indie film "Turbo Cola" by Covert Productions and went on to win several awards in the 2022 film festival cycle, including Best Film at the 2023 Film Threat Awards. When not working on new plays, Sam is half the team behind the Real Horrorshow Podcast and one of the founding members of Postcard Press. She lives in Virginia with her husband and cat, and she may or may not actually be two ten-year-olds in a trenchcoat.