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Donna
Crosby, AVAA President
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| The
Austin Visual Arts Association welcomes
long-time board member and volunteer
Donna Crosby as AVAA's new president.
Crosby, a self-taught artist and attorney
with the Travis County DA's Office,
was elected president by the Board of
Directors earlier this month. Crosby
has been an essential leader on the
AVAA Board since 2004, helping to build
AVAA's infrastructure, artist programs,
grants and community relationships through
countless hours of volunteer support.
Crosby regularly helps at AVAA exhibits
as our events photographer, participates
in our exhibits and attends our life
drawing classes. Crosby has acted as
AVAA's treasurer for 3 years and has
been an outstanding leader with our
association for more than 6 years. We
are pleased to welcome her as AVAA President. |
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Bill
Keese , Past President/Secretary
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| Crosby
succeeds outgoing president Bill
Keese, a business executive and
former state legislator, who graciously
served his full 3-year term on behalf
of local artists. Keese made great strides
for the organization by supporting Austin
artists as a regular attendee at art
events around town. He has become known
as a true Austin arts patron, purchasing
dozens of works from local artists during
his time as AVAA president. He has worked
to develop a patron base in the city
to unite working artists with collectors.
He was instrumental in launching the
inaugural Austin Visual Arts Awards
in 2009 at the Austin Museum of Art.
Keese remains an active officer on the
AVAA board and continues to help advance
the arts in Austin. He has been a major
asset to the organization since joining
the Board in 2005. We are extremely
thankful for his leadership and continued
support of our association. |
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Bill
Oakey, Vice President
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| Board
Member Bill Oakey, who has been
on the board since 2008, was voted in
as Vice President of AVAA. Oakey is
a talented photographer who has a passion
for uniting and promoting the visual
arts in Austin. Oakey was instrumental
in creating, organizing and coordinating
the inaugural Austin Visual Arts Awards
in 2009. Oakey is working on an ambitious
web project to coordinate and promote
the Austin visual arts. His ongoing
volunteer efforts are deeply appreciated
by AVAA. |
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Valerie
Walden, Treasurer
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| Artist/Business
Owner Valerie Walden joined the
board in 2009. She was recently elected
as AVAA's treasurer. Walden is the owner
of Austin Art Space, a professional
exhibit space and studio area for local
artists in North Austin. Walden has
been a great addition to the AVAA leadership
and we are very pleased to have her
on the board. |
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Bob
Coffee, Board Member
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| Sculptor
Bob Coffee has been on the AVAA Board
since 2007. Coffee, a retired architect
and cattle rancher, is a well-known
Austin sculptor with impressive private
and public art commissions throughout
the nation. Coffee is the president
of the Texas Society of Sculptors and
has been an active member of the AVAA
board for several years. He has been
a great supporter and volunteer for
the arts for many years. He played a
fundamental role in organizing the inaugural
awards program. |
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Dr.
Christopher Adejumo, Board Member
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| UT
Professor Dr. Christopher Adejumo
has been on the AVAA Board since 2002.
Adejumo is a talented printmaker, well-respected
professor and community arts leader.
He has been the director of an art program
for at-risk kids for more than 12 years
now called Greater Tomorrow Youth Art
Program. AVAA is the sponsoring organization
for this important program that helps
kids improve their lives through the
arts. Adejumo has been a mentor to many
local artists and an outstanding volunteer
to AVAA over the years. |
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Bryan
McMath, Board Member
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| Bryan
McMath has been on the AVAA Board since
2004. He is a talented painter, as well
as the chief of staff for a state senator.
McMath has been a great asset to the
board and has been involved in multiple
AVAA programs throughout the years.
He helped create the AVAA Studios in
2004. Featured above, McMath jokes around
at AVAA's 30th Anniversary Reunion Show
in front of his oil painting John.
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Kelli
Montgomery , Executive Director/Board
Member
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| Kelli
Montgomery joined the AVAA family as
executive director in 2002. She enjoys
expanding the association's vision and
programs while having the opportunity
to work with the many talented artists
in Austin, TX. |
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