People

Jim Durfee, President, MAG Board of Managers

For Jim Durfee, new president of the Gallery’s Board of Managers, art is a family affair. His younger sister, graphic designer Kathryn D’Amanda, is a long-time Board member who will serve as his vice president. His mother, Jan, is a past Gallery docent. And his daughter, Andrea, is an artist and former Clothesline Merit Award winner.

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Mary Sue Jack, President, The Gallery Council

When Mary Sue Jack, an assistant professor at UR’s School of Nursing, decided to retire in 2002, her friends knew just what she should do with her newly acquired free time—join the Gallery Council. One friend, Jane Labrum, sponsored her for Council membership. Another, Pam Foye, recruited her for one of the organization’s biggest events, the Fine Craft Show. That major fundraiser, which she chaired for three years, provided a perfect segue into her new job as Council president.

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Natalie Ciccone, Chair, Memorial Art Gallery Docents

Natalie Ciccone has always loved art, but her interest grew into a real passion during trips to Italy and other far-flung places. Indeed, she so enjoyed visiting museums that she began taking art history courses at the University of Rochester and MAG’s Creative Workshop. In 1999, Workshop instructor Lucy Durkin mentioned that MAG was looking for new docents to lead tours for schoolchildren and adults. A former elementary school teacher and longtime school volunteer, Ciccone was a perfect fit for the program and soon began the rigorous, year-long training.  Read the whole story

Ready to Engage

Congratulations to Debora McDell-Hernandez, MAG community programmer, for her selection to the Democrat and Chronicle’s 2013 community board of contributors. The 10-member panel, which was announced in February on the newspaper’s editorial page, is described as “an impressive cross-section of the community.” As a board member, McDell will attend meetings and press conferences and contribute 2-3 blog posts each month. Learn more

100 Years Young

Betty O’Brien has been volunteering in the Gallery Store for 45 years and still comes in almost every Thursday to help the Store accountant with the books and organize the files. Not bad, considering she turned 100 years old on March 3, 2012. (According to Betty, who still lives independently, “100 just sneaks up on you.”) On March 1, MAG staff and volunteers gathered to celebrate Betty’s big day. Pictured: Betty sits surrounded by Store sales associate Heidi Friederich, administrator of volunteers Mary Ann Monley, and Store manager Colleen Griffin Underhill. The birthday cake. Betty with MAG director Grant Holcomb.

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