On June 17 Chestertown RiverArts held its first annual meeting where board members who were leaving the board, Alex Castro, Arleen Keifetz, and Lolli Sherry, were thanked for their service during RiverArts merger, the creation of the new Gallery and expansion of programs, exhibits and special events. Three new board members were then elected: Lois Kitz, Les Palmer, and Mary Jo McCulloch.
Lois Kitz has worked since 2009 at the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience where she is currently the George Washington Book Prize Coordinator. She has been active in non-profit theatre for three decades, working with companies from Houston to New York, and was most recently the Company Manager and Casting Director for the Philadelphia Theatre Company. This also gave her valuable experience in negotiating contracts with unions and other entities. She was responsible for the oversight of the acting company as well as communication between the company and the major unions of the theatre, including Actor’s Equity and the Society for Directors and Choreographers. Lois has also been a guest lecturer at the University of the Arts and Temple University.
Mary Jo McCulloch is currently President of McCulloch and Associates; she is an Association Management Consultant and a Government Affairs Lobbyist and Consultant, a profession that she has been in for 35 years. Mary Jo has served as President and CEO of both the Maryland Tourism Council and the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association. She has also been the chair, a member or board member of a long list of non-profit organizations including The Maryland Tourism Development Board, The International Society of Hotel Association Executives, Visit Baltimore, Inc., Maryland Government Relations Association, Maryland Tourism Education Foundation and somehow found time to serve on the board of the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council.
Les Palmer brings an interesting professional background to RiverArts. His primary interest has been in the field of English teaching and language proficiency for non-native speakers. He has held elected positions in several related professional organizations. Les started and then directed the Maryland English Institute, an English language program for international students entering the University of Maryland. In addition, he has been the Associate Director of the American Language Institute at Georgetown University. Although he retired in 1996 he was persuaded to accept the position of Head of an English Language Program being developed at a new university in Dubai, where he served two years. His interest in Art has led to a collection gathered from around the world.
The Annual Meeting was adjourned and the new board met at which officers of RiverArts were elected: President is Lani Seikaly; Vice President is Zane Carter; Treasurer is Joan Strand; and Secretary is Jack Fancher. Other board members are Jolecia Crowe, Ronnie Edelman, Gerry Edwards, Charles Hawkins, Shelley Minch, and Cynthia Stafford.
During the Annual Meeting an overview of RiverArts accomplishments over the past year were reviewed; they were very impressive to say the least. To learn more about RiverArts go to its website, chestertownriverarts.org and/or visit the Gallery at 315 High Street, Suite 106. Gallery Hours are Wednesday-Friday 11:00-4:00; First Fridays 11:0-8:00; Saturdays 9:30-4:00 and Sunday noon-3:00.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.