Remarks to SVMA Annual Meeting
March 24, 2016
These are the final remarks I gave at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art's Annual Meeting held on March 24th, 2016.
It seems that several centuries ago Jim Callahan interviewed me for a position on the board of the newish Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. It was 2002 or 3 as I recall. While we were hardly new residents of Sonoma having come in 1994 as weekenders, still it seemed as if I might finally get a chance to contribute to an important cultural asset in Sonoma. It was a three year commitment which I did not take it lightly. In those days it was all hands on deck, and I remember being the “closer” on weekends so that we did not have to hire a security service to close the museum.
By the time Kim and I went to Rome in 2005 the then President Martha Rosenblatt had enlisted me to serve as President on our return from the American Academy and after the term of the skilled Kathe Hodgson. We returned in February of 2006 and I became the President of the Board in March of that year. Our then ED, Lia Transue and I met every Friday. The exhibitions kept getting better and our budget kept getting higher. Making the budget stay in the black will always be a chore and a challenge, and it was no less so then. But even though it was hard work, I thought it was a great club to be in. If Mirja Muncey was at the door, it was hard to escape her “invitation” to join the museum. Callahan kept working hard as did Harriet Derwingson, Martha, Kathe and the rest of our hard working board. I managed to complete my two year commitment in March of 2008 and returned to the Board for another year in the past president’s chair. In that period of time we honored Charlotte Lamb and memorialized her by raising 300k for what we called the Charlotte Lamb Fund. This money later was the rainy day fund for the Museum during the recession of 2008 to 2011.
In 2009 Kate the great Eilertsen arrived fresh from the Craft world of the California College of the Arts (and Craft) and after curating one of the greatest exhibitions I have ever seen at the Buena Vista Art Center. A show by Nick Cave that left me breathless in its depth and understanding of the artist. She had the touch and the exhibits once again moved forward to new heights.
The exhibition committee took a chance on a novice curator in 20010-11 and allowed me to curate a handmade book show. It was my first effort; it was a blast and an experience I’ll forever remember. It was an exciting show paired with the offerings of another unknown, David Hockney. It made me feel very alive to be on the art side rather than the board. I did another exhibition along side Larry Thomas in 2012 featuring handmade papers from all over the world. Along with Katherine Kunst, Stan Abercrombie and Paul Vieryra, we created a different universe in the back of the museum. Once again the making and showing of art and craft made me feel creative and alive. As my boss, Kate was completely involved in making me feel comfortable and very wanted. In my opinion, I failed to create a “great” show but it was professional and very well received. Katherine’s art piece on the ceiling of the museum made from paper from all over the world was a highlight. Larry Thomas’s accompanying art work was transformative and enlightened us all.
Finally, I was free from all the museum commitments and was a happy spectator in the gallery. It felt good, but I missed the place more than I had thought I would.
If you have noticed, things in life have a way of coming around and that’s what happened to me at SVMA. As that champion Gerry Snedaker entered his final months in the office of the President of the Board, the board’s incoming President, Jill Spencer, had to return to Texas to take care of her family. She was highly qualified to do the job and her loss was unfortunate.
Gerry took me to lunch and suggested that I come back for a couple of years to be President of the Board. Not surprisingly, I was very honored to be asked but not terribly keen to take it on. My incredible wife, Kimberly, suggested that I had been around the house a little too much and I should consider the offer. In any case, my ego having been massaged by both Gerry and Kim enabled me to say yes, and I returned in March of 2013.
It was not an easy time for culture and the usual wrestling match for money in the non profit world was taking place. With the assistance of a remarkable board, we were able to return to budget to the black. It could not have happened without our exec committee of Yvonne Hall, Doug Wilson, Gary Hultquist and Jane Milotich. Many others on our board showed up, too and I thank you all for your help.
Today, as I look at the first year of Doug Wilson’s presidency, I see only positives. An engaged and working board, a super executive committee and a skilled new ED, ready to take us to a new level. A new financial set of metrics that will enable us to stretch to another new high will also make the sky the limit and a public perception that we are bringing culture and art to a new and higher standard in this unique lovely community.
In any case, it sounds like a great time to get out of Dodge. I have served for over 9 years as a board member, twice as Board President and curated two shows between stints and as an advisor when not on the board.
It has been a privilege and honor beyond what I am able to describe to be involved in this cultural treasure in our small village. I will never forget that you asked me to come back. I will be hovering around the fringes, waiting and watching your sure to be successful new era with Linda Cano.
Deep thanks and appreciation to you for letting me serve.
