So far this month, we have introduced you to our new docents and our new interns. I am happy to feature another group of friendly faces this week – our new Go van Gogh volunteers. We have fifteen new volunteers this year, which may be our largest class in the past ten years. I am excited about the range of backgrounds, experiences, and interests this enthusiastic group brings with them.
The volunteers show off their creations during their training for the African Masks and Headwear program .
Below are some fun facts about our volunteers starting with the bottom row, left to right:
- In addition to having a Nursing degree, Gio also loves to paint and has produced more than 100 drawings and paintings in his free time.
- Stephen’s passion for art and design, as well as his belief that volunteering makes a positive impact on the community, inspired him to volunteer along with his girlfriend…
- …Dorly, who comes to us with a degree in Art and Performance, which will definitely come in handy in the classroom.
- Mary is currently pursuing a PhD in Art Education at UNT and was also an education intern at the Rachofsky House this past summer (where I met her, and recruited her after she kindly encouraged me during a challenging studio art activity).
- Michele also has a Nursing degree, and has pursued a great many other things including designing jewelry that has been sold nationwide, making a teaching video for developing countries, and writing a feature article for a major magazine.
Top row, from left to right:
- Pam owned a window treatment business in the NYC tri-state area before recently moving a stone’s-throw distance to the DMA.
- Sarah is part of a ceramics co-op that provides opportunities to join other artists in creative pursuits. She originally became interested in Go van Gogh ten years ago and decided this was the year to join the program!
- Sandy recently moved to Dallas from the Houston area after teaching language arts for fifteen years, during which she often incorporated works of art into her students’ assignments.
- Jennie was recruited by two friends who are Go van Gogh volunteers and told her how much they loved the program.
- Doris also recently moved from Houston, where she gained extensive art education experience in Houston ISD and museum education experience as a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
- Barbara retired earlier this year after a career in Occupational Therapy, and one of her three goals for post-retirement is “finding ways to give back to the local, national, and/or world communities through volunteerism”.
Not pictured here:
- Cristina is fortunate to work at a company that encourages volunteering, and will adjust her work schedule to accommodate her love of children and desire to “share with them the joy and excitement of art”.
- Recently retired from Dealey Montessori, Dennis is finding his schedule to be full of his favorite pursuits, which include acting and playing chess.
- Erin earned a degree in Studio Art and has experience in painting, sculpture, printmaking, pottery, and graphic design. Like Cristina, Erin works full time and is adapting her schedule to volunteer with Go van Gogh.
- Jane served as a docent at the Milwaukee Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art, and also led art appreciation classes in her children’s classrooms as a parent volunteer.
- Laura has a degree in fibers and printmaking and has worked with homeschool students to make costumes and stage props.
Be on the lookout for these volunteers as they begin teaching in Dallas classrooms over the coming months!
Melissa Nelson
Manager of Teaching in the Community