Who we are

We are dedicated volunteers who love to puzzle and are excited to support puzzlers and communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We first connected through the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association and at speed‑puzzling events. Over time, we realized how much the Commonwealth would benefit from more opportunities for puzzlers to come together. We also know that puzzlers care deeply about their communities. Hosting puzzle events, especially those that support charitable causes, feels like a natural and meaningful way to bring people together.

Board Members

I am an avid puzzler, with a puzzle almost always in progress on my board. Puzzling is a daily pastime and favorite way to unwind and reset during any bit of downtime. I grew up spending long Minnesota winters gathered around puzzles, and that early love never left me. As an adult, I have especially enjoyed puzzling with my sister, Michelle during time together.

About a year and a half ago, I discovered speed puzzling with my sister, and it opened up a whole new world. I especially enjoy pairs and team competitions, not just for the thrill of the challenge but for the camaraderie, laughter, and genuine sense of community they create.

My favorite puzzles are artist created, especially those with vivid colors and lots of features.

Gradients, patterns, or fur? I love both gradients and patterns, fur - not so much!

Illustrations or photographs? Illustrations

Busy or landscape? Busy

Round or square? Round

Wood or cardboard? Cardboard

Individuals, pairs or teams? Pairs and Teams

Ribbon cut or random cut? Ribbon

300, 500, or 1,000? I' like them all!

Current favorite brand(s)? Chuffed, Unified Pieces, and Art & Fable.

A woman smiling at an event with a USA-themed background, balloons in red, white, and blue, and wearing a black t-shirt with a puzzle piece and star design.

Aurali Dade

Chair

Kelsey Booth

Vice Chair

I've always enjoyed a good jigsaw puzzle, but my love for the hobby was reinvigorated after learning about speed puzzling during a 2024 trip to Minneapolis. The events in the Richmond, VA area were few and far between, so I started hosting my own speed puzzling contests in 2025 and have loved watching the puzzling community grow. Now I have a wall of puzzles and not a week goes by without doing at least a quick 300 piece.

I enjoy both casual and speed puzzling, and am probably one of the least picky puzzlers I know. (I will even build a puzzle with missing pieces!)

Gradients, patterns, or fur? Patterns

Illustrations or photographs? Illustrations

Busy or landscape? Busy

Round or square? Square

Wood or cardboard? Cardboard

Individuals, pairs or teams? Any!

Ribbon cut or random cut? Ribbon

300, 500, or 1,000? 300 or 500 pieces

Current favorite brand(s)? Galison, SpeedMaster (Boardwalk)

A woman with glasses and a black shirt smiling at a table with a completed birdhouse puzzle and a box of birdhouse puzzle pieces. She has a yellow name badge that reads 'Kelsey Booth'. The background shows tables, chairs, and a stage area with a large screen.

I've been puzzling since I was a kid (under 10 years old I think). My parents put a water mill puzzle on the table and the rest is history. It was a satisfying indoor activity that could fill time during the hot Florida summers. I did puzzles until I started college and tried get back to it in grad school (who was I kidding, I was way to busy).

I didn't buy a new puzzle for about 7 years then I saw a Karen Puzzles video about giant puzzles and videos about the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships. I was sold, bought a bunch of puzzles during January 2024 and have been growing my collection since then. I've been trying different brands and pieces counts to find what I enjoy.

I enjoy listening to Piece Talks podcast and the questions he asks at the end:

Gradients, patterns, or fur? Gradient

Illustrations or photographs? Photos

Busy or landscape? Landscape

Round or square? Square

Wood or cardboard? Cardboard

Individuals, pairs or teams? Individual

Ribbon cut or random cut? Random

300, 500, or 1,000? 500 pieces

Current favorite brand(s)? Wasgij

Shannon Anderson

Secretary

I’ve been puzzling since I was a kid growing up in Minnesota. In high school, living in Texas, I started doing challenging puzzles and loved it. After joining the Air Force right after high school, I only did puzzles on rare occasions.

I got back into puzzles on a regular basis when my kids were teens (I needed the puzzle therapy!). In 2020 I heard about speed puzzling and the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship. Life was still crazy for the next few years. In 2023 we built a house in a new town and I became part of a great puzzle community. In 2024 I decided to give speed puzzling a try with my sister. We were hooked! In 2025 I hosted a few puzzle events and saw what a great opportunity we had to bring puzzlers and the communities together, which is why I am super excited to be part of the Virginia JPA board.

I really enjoy all different types of puzzles from easy to challenging. The most common puzzle I do is 1000 piece. My favorite brands right now are: Unified Pieces, Blue Kazoo, and Bgraamiens. I love the soft feel of the pieces for a total experience but I also really enjoy doing wood puzzles too. I prefer hand cut more than laser cut but will do both.

For speed puzzling I’m better at landscapes (love sky!) and anything with “clumps”. I enjoy pairs and teams events much better than solos.