Celebrating a Transition with Gratitude

Last month, I transitioned from my role as Executive Director of Ryman Arts after 22 years and a fulfilling career in art education leadership. I am thrilled to be staying on as Director of the Herbert Ryman Legacy Project, where I manage our art and archival collection of artist Herb Ryman, bringing his art and story to life for more people.

Recently, the Ryman Arts Board of Directors and Staff hosted a celebration and I was overwhelmed to see many friends, supporters and students from my two decades at Ryman Arts. It means so much to know others share the belief in the power of art to transform young lives. Ryman Arts could not do this work without this community. My work here has been especially meaningful, not only because of its impact on our community, but because of the amazing people I have been privileged to work with, so I want to share my appreciation to them all, highlighting a few below:

·???????? Ryman Arts’ visionary Founders from 1990:? Lucille Ryman-Carroll, Sharon Disney Lund, Buzz & Anne Price, and Marty & Leah Sklar. Their vision to honor their friend Herbert D. Ryman with an art education program that has changed the lives of thousands of young artists proved to be a remarkable legacy.? I first met Leah and Marty at their home exactly twenty-two years ago, and I feel so lucky I still get to talk with Leah today.

·???????? The generous and enthusiastic Ryman Arts Board of Directors including current President David Price, Architect and Owner Rep Price, and Past Presidents Phil Hettema and Wayne Hunt who still play key roles in our organization. I have learned so much from each of the almost fifty Directors on the Board during my tenure.

·???????? The Ryman Arts Staff: The terrific, smart, forward-thinking, principled, kind (and fun!) colleagues who make Ryman Arts HAPPEN include Patricia Esquivel , Martha Fernandez-Grijalva , Rebecca Flores, Shannon H. , Walter Marsh , Marilyn Nguyen , and Rebecca Tuynman .

·???????? The talented Faculty who inspire our students each week. Starting with our longest serving colleagues: Robin Palanker (has never missed a class in over twenty years!) and David Schoffman, this year’s faculty also includes: Eduardo Aispuro, Kaleeka Quaye , Holly Boruck , Negin Hedayat , Ichiro Irie, Marc Kompaneyets , Michelle Mary Lee, Ronald J. Llanos , and Sergio Rebia.

·???????? The energetic Teaching Assistants and other Alumni who are inspiring role models for the next generation. This Spring our TA team includes Akari Johnston, Amy Doyo, Charity Neal, Emily Montgomery, Hannah Whitt, Raquel Martinez, and Stephanie Petteplace .

·???????? Our previous Executive Director, Marshall Nalle Ayers : With her personal attention to each student, Marshall set the tone right from the start for what has become an enduring hallmark of Ryman Arts: every student is seen and heard.

·???????? I am grateful to our many Community Partners and Funders who helped us grow, innovate, and explore new ways to collaborate, such as The Big Draw LA which we led for ten years, exhibitions at museums and galleries in LA and Orange County, college preparation and creative career tours, school workshops and community festivals.? I owe a special acknowledgement to our site partners: University of Southern California, Otis College of Art & Design, and California State University, Fullerton who have been gracious hosts.

·???????? And I must celebrate my Professional Colleagues leading other arts and education organizations here in Southern California; it’s a community where we support and build each other up. The work of these leaders is critical because the non-profit social impact, sector is perennially under-resourced, and yet the return on investment is beyond anything you’d find in the stock markets.? While others wring their hands about the state of our world, those of us working in community nonprofits are on the front line actually doing something to make a difference, each in our own way, whether it is youth development, art education, social service, or preserving and sharing art and culture.

I know Ryman Arts is in great hands and am so excited for its future!

And as I explore my next chapter of service, I will always be a champion of young artists and of the powerful idea that art can transform lives.