About Us 
Executive Director
My family moved to Olive Branch in 1969 when I was in the 10th grade. After graduating from Olive Branch High School in 1972, I attended Northwest Community College for two years. I received a bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design in 1975 from MSU. I worked as an interior designer for eight years at an English Antique shop. I have been working for a custom upholstery shop since 1983 designing furniture until May 2010, when I started my own upholstery business "Dena's Personal Touch" Your Custom Upholstery Shop.
I grew up playing the piano and dancing. My talents are in music, art, theatre, and dance. I was involved with the Olive Branch community theatre and had lead roles in “Dracula”, “Love , Sex, and the IRS”, and “Foxfire”. I was an officer of the New Beginnings Civic Club and designed and instigated the making of the first Olive Branch City Flag. I am now involved in Ballroom dancing and have been dancing for 6 years. I have taught free ballroom dance classes and assisted teaching seniors to Foxtrot and Swing to help promote the love of Ballroom Dancing. I serve on the board of the Memphis Chapter of USA Dance. I have a beautiful and talented 18 year old daughter, Kayleigh Richardson, who won 3 Best Leading Actress awards this year for her role in “And they Dance Real Slow in Jackson”, a drama about a young girl growing up in the 50’s with polio.
I have been involved with the Olive Branch Arts Council for five years. I served as Vice President and President before becoming the Executive Director. I have a passion for all of the arts. I am very committed and dedicated in helping the Olive Branch Arts Council promote an appreciation of the arts within our community.