Weaving threads of Possibilities in the Arts…
The individual artist, small art’s groups and rural communities have unique and pressing needs for assistance with the “business” of the arts. I have years of experience in banking and arts management. I’ve posted a resume below to give you an idea of those experiences. I offer my services for the following and welcome questions about needs not listed here:
- Business planning
- Management consulting
- Workshop and other training events
- Grant research and writing
- Marketing planning and implementation
- Special Event/Project planning and implementation
EDUCATION:
Postgraduate, 2000 Radford University, Radford, VA, Studio Art Classes
Graduated 5/97 Hollins University, Master of Art in Liberal Studies, Roanoke, VA
Graduated 6/85 Virginia Banker’s School of Bank Management, a 3-year program at VCU.
Completed 1984 Dunn & Bradstreet’s Credit & Financial Analysis workshop.
Graduated 12/90 Mundelein College, BS in Financial Management, Chicago, IL
Graduated 6/65 North Surry High School, Mt. Airy, N. C.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
7-05 to present Co-Owner, City Gallery, Fine Art, LLC, (a co-op gallery), Galax, VA: Recognized the need for a supporting business in a developing downtown cultural arts district and joined with two artist colleagues to purchase and renovate a building, procure equipment, develop a business plan, develop co-op procedures and guidelines, secure members and market the business.
1-99 to present Adjunct Faculty, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA: Responsible for teaching classes in oil, landscape, and watercolor painting, and art history and appreciation to degree seeking students; taught printmaking for Appalachian Governor’s School students.
1-03 to 6-10 Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, a 7 year project in Galax, VA: Conceived of, created, garnered a steering committee for and implemented every phase of the school including writing grants, speaking before county and city boards of supervisors, area legislators and several times for the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation Board, and acquiring more than $1 million in funding through various sources. Served as Development Director for 2+ years.
3-07 to 5-09 Co-Owner, Publisher The Big Blue Magazine, Blue Ridge Plateau’s first travel/arts magazine.
Responsible for developing the concept, recruiting 8 business associates, writing a business plan and implementing the product, including ad sales, writing stories, all financial aspects of the magazine, marketing, and establishing distributors.
4-02 to 4-00 Executive Director, Arts & Cultural Council of the Twin Counties, Galax, VA: Responsible for all programming, marketing, budgeting and financial records. Took the organization from an $18,000 annual budget to $77,000 through fund raising, grant writing and earned income. Wrote and had published numerous press releases for all local news media in a 100-mile radius. Recognized the need for and conceived of the idea of Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. Solicited a steering committee and served as chair. Wrote and was awarded a grant from Virginia Tobacco Commission for a feasibility study. Worked with K.W. Poore & Company to prepare the study, resulting in funding through ARC/DHCD for the project. The City of Galax agreed to be fiscal agent. The Arts Council agreed to have me serve as lead for the project.
Completed training in Building Audiences and a 3-year program for the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Jazz Touring Network.
Founding member and secretary of the board in 1987. Served several terms as a board member.
9-99 to 3-07 Founding member Center Street Arts, Inc., Galax, VA.
Established studio space for six artists, prepared and received 501(c)3 status, developed an annual budget, wrote and received grant funding and, coordinated art classes by visiting instructors for all ages; taught a variety of art classes.
7-01 to 3-02 Education Director, Fine Arts Center f/t New River Valley, Pulaski, VA: Served as Project director for $30,000 endeavor “Arts on the Trails” through NEA, VCA and DCR; solicited partners, administered grants, managed selection committee for selection of artists and general installation of two pieces of sculpture on the New River Trail State Park.
Responsible for creating, marketing and implementing all art classes, including identifying instructors and writing contracts; implementing outreach program in local school; publishing a bi-monthly newsletter; curatoring a bi-monthly art exhibit, including recruiting artists and marketing the event.
9-94 to 7-01 Starving Artist
5-90 to 9-94 Mortgage Banking Officer, First Union Bank (previously Dominion Bankshares), Roanoke, VA:
Originated conventional, VA, FHA, VHDA, construction and non-saleable mortgage loans.
Taught VHDA’s Home Buyer classes. Served as Account Acquisition Coordinator for six months while coordinating the acquisition of new bankcard accounts and the introduction of new products, from an operational perspective.
Number one loan originator in company for three straight years.
10/87 to 5/90 Assistant Real Estate Officer and Branch Manager, National Bank of Blacksburg, Blacksburg, VA:
Wrote small asset-based commercial loans, construction, residential and consumer loans, originated VA, FHA, VHDA loans; administered inspections and builders’ draws on speculation houses; managed a branch with 7 employees and the collection department with 2 collectors. Presented at the Town of Blacksburg’s Seminar for Women Entrepreneurs in one-on-one small business planning. Presented at VT’s Cooperative Extension Home Based Business Institute
Achieved 8% growth in total deposits while managing the branch.
3/82 to 10/87 Branch Officer, Bank of Carroll, Hillsville, VA
Wrote small asset-based commercial, construction, residential and consumer loans and originated VA, FHA, VHDA loans. Site coordinator while building what is now BB&T on E. Stuart Drive in Galax.
Responsible for growing this branch from zero to a thriving branch operation exceeding my goal of $1 million in new loans the first year to $2.1 in ten months. Outperformed all sister banks in the holding company for mortgage lending in doubling the goal of two per month.
6/81 to 3/82 Collector, Northwestern Bank, Winston-Salem, NC
5/78 to 5/81 Office Manager, Dr. Worth Gregory, Asheville, NC
2/72 to 5/78 Assistant Manager, Kentucky Finance, Mt. Airy, NC
12/71 to 2/72 Bookkeeper, Domestic Loans, Mt Airy, NC
AFFILIATIONS:
–Founding member and presently serving as secretary of the board of directors for ‘Round the Mountain, SW VA’s Artisan Network.
-Current Rural Economic Development Committee co-chair for the Virginia Chapter of Partners of the Americas, an international volunteer organization established in 1964. Virginia is a partner to Santa Catarina, Brazil.
-Current Virginia Commission for the Arts Area I Advisory Board member.
-Current board member for Matthews Living History Farm Museum, Grayson County.
-Galax Tourism advisory board member.
-Galax Visioning and Management team for revitalization grant from DHCD.
-Rooftop of Virginia board member.
-Galax Theatre Guild board member.
-Etoile Berry Foundation for the Arts.
-Founding member and past president of American Business Women’s Association of Carroll/Galax/Grayson. Named Woman of the Year in 1984.
-Member of the National Association of Bank Women, Central Virginia Chapter
-Founding member of Bean Counters, an all-female investment group in Carroll County, VA and Mt. Airy, NC.
–Served at section leader for The Virginia Banker’s Association Personal Economic Program, a volunteer group of bankers working with educators to supplement programs on personal finance, banks and banking, and the financial system.
