Virginia May (vmaypetalumaartscenterorg) Administrative Director
Virginia May, MFA Ph. D. Virginia’s background includes project and small business management. She owned the local Painted Door gallery of contemporary aboriginal art and has completed a Ph.D. in Transformative Learning and Change from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2011. She is a longtime Petaluma resident and artist.
Lyndi Brown (lyndipetalumaartscenterorg)
Development Director
Lyndi Brown knows Petaluma intimately and is a skilled public relations and development professional, with many established relationships in the community. She recently completed a two-year major donor campaign for the expansion of Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma Campus (2006-2008). From 1985 to 1993, she led a promotional effort for the City of Petaluma through the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce. Her work enhanced Petaluma’s image from a “dusty cow town” (Time Magazine) to a “Victorian riverfront town” (Associated Press), and paved the way for Petaluma’s delightful mix of amenities enjoyed by residents and tourists: history, business, hospitality and arts.
Taylor Metzler (tallcockpetalumaartscenterorg) Adminstrative Assistant
Taylor has a B.A. in Anthropology with special emphasis on Museum Studies, and a minor in Art History from Sonoma State University. She recently completed an internship at the diRosa.
Board of Directors
Robert Bailey (rbaileypetalumaartscenterorg) was co-founder and Vice President of AMS Planning & Research, an international arts management consulting practice. Currently he is a consulting associate with the firm and works part time on arts facility development projects nationwide. Bob was the lead consultant for the 2004 feasibility study that led to the creation of the Petaluma Arts Center. He is married to Mary King, a physician for the State of California and has two adult children. Bob currently serves as Board Treasurer.
Charles A. Davis (charlescadavislawcom)
Mary Dooley (marymadarccom) of MAD Architecture, served as the architect for the new Petaluma Arts Center. Also an artist and resident of Petaluma for the last 20 years, she teaches art classes to elementary and middle school children at Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley.
Israel Escudero (igaleanahotmailcom) ,born in Mexico City and a 20 year resident of the United States. Currently attending SRJC and working toward his BA.
He is an account executive for US1 printing, serves on the Petaluma Arts Center board of directors and the City of Petaluma Recreation and Music committee. A veteran volunteer with El Dia de los Muertos, Israel was a co-organizer for the 2011 celebration.
Dr. Linda H. Frost (lindafrostcomcastnet)
Tracy Gentry (tracygentrypetalumaartscenterorg) was involved with the inaugural Arts Center capital campaign and grand opening events. A former business owner and award winning chef, her current professions include special event planning; entertainment production and logistics; community service; and teaching leadership skills to elementary school children.
Scott Hess (scotthesspetalumaartscenterorg) is a commercial and arts photographer who has been based in Petaluma since 1985. His work ranges from landscapes to portraits to abstract work carrying layers of symbolic value. He is widely published in Northern California media and exhibits in galleries and other public venues.
Alison Marks (alisonmsonicnet) has been a professional artist and educator for nearly 30 years. She co-founded the Petaluma Arts Council and served as President of the Board of Directors for 5 years. She is currently the director of the EXCEL for Youth Program at Sonoma State University.
Geri Olson (geriolsonpetalumaartscenterorg) Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Sonoma State University where she teaches classes on personality, creativity and the expressive arts. She has integrated the expressive arts into her work for more than 30 years and teaches doll process workshops to art therapists, educators, parents, doll artists and children. Geri currently serves as Board Vice-President.
Karen Petersen (karenpetersenpetalumaartscenterorg) Librarian, Mahoney Library, Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus, is also a founding board member. Ms. Petersen is active in the arts county-wide including the Sonoma County Book Festival, the Literary Arts Guild and the Sitting Room, a community-based library in Cotati. Karen currently serves as Board President.
Staff & Board of Directors
Virginia May (vmay
petalumaartscenter
org)
Administrative Director
Virginia May, MFA Ph. D. Virginia’s background includes project and small business management. She owned the local Painted Door gallery of contemporary aboriginal art and has completed a Ph.D. in Transformative Learning and Change from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2011. She is a longtime Petaluma resident and artist.
Lyndi Brown (lyndi
petalumaartscenter
org)
Development Director
Lyndi Brown knows Petaluma intimately and is a skilled public relations and development professional, with many established relationships in the community. She recently completed a two-year major donor campaign for the expansion of Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma Campus (2006-2008). From 1985 to 1993, she led a promotional effort for the City of Petaluma through the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce. Her work enhanced Petaluma’s image from a “dusty cow town” (Time Magazine) to a “Victorian riverfront town” (Associated Press), and paved the way for Petaluma’s delightful mix of amenities enjoyed by residents and tourists: history, business, hospitality and arts.
Adminstrative Assistant
Taylor has a B.A. in Anthropology with special emphasis on Museum Studies, and a minor in Art History from Sonoma State University. She recently completed an internship at the diRosa.
Board of Directors
Robert Bailey (rbailey
petalumaartscenter
org) was co-founder and Vice President of AMS Planning & Research, an international arts management consulting practice. Currently he is a consulting associate with the firm and works part time on arts facility development projects nationwide. Bob was the lead consultant for the 2004 feasibility study that led to the creation of the Petaluma Arts Center. He is married to Mary King, a physician for the State of California and has two adult children. Bob currently serves as Board Treasurer.
Charles A. Davis (charles
cadavislaw
com)
Mary Dooley (mary
madarc
com) of MAD Architecture, served as the architect for the new Petaluma Arts Center. Also an artist and resident of Petaluma for the last 20 years, she teaches art classes to elementary and middle school children at Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley.
Israel Escudero (igaleana
hotmail
com) ,born in Mexico City and a 20 year resident of the United States. Currently attending SRJC and working toward his BA.
He is an account executive for US1 printing, serves on the Petaluma Arts Center board of directors and the City of Petaluma Recreation and Music committee. A veteran volunteer with El Dia de los Muertos, Israel was a co-organizer for the 2011 celebration.
Dr. Linda H. Frost (lindafrost
comcast
net)
Tracy Gentry (tracygentry
petalumaartscenter
org) was involved with the inaugural Arts Center capital campaign and grand opening events. A former business owner and award winning chef, her current professions include special event planning; entertainment production and logistics; community service; and teaching leadership skills to elementary school children.
Scott Hess (scotthess
petalumaartscenter
org) is a commercial and arts photographer who has been based in Petaluma since 1985. His work ranges from landscapes to portraits to abstract work carrying layers of symbolic value. He is widely published in Northern California media and exhibits in galleries and other public venues.
Alison Marks (alisonm
sonic
net) has been a professional artist and educator for nearly 30 years. She co-founded the Petaluma Arts Council and served as President of the Board of Directors for 5 years. She is currently the director of the EXCEL for Youth Program at Sonoma State University.
Geri Olson (geriolson
petalumaartscenter
org) Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Sonoma State University where she teaches classes on personality, creativity and the expressive arts. She has integrated the expressive arts into her work for more than 30 years and teaches doll process workshops to art therapists, educators, parents, doll artists and children. Geri currently serves as Board Vice-President.
Karen Petersen (karenpetersen
petalumaartscenter
org) Librarian, Mahoney Library, Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus, is also a founding board member. Ms. Petersen is active in the arts county-wide including the Sonoma County Book Festival, the Literary Arts Guild and the Sitting Room, a community-based library in Cotati. Karen currently serves as Board President.
Advisory Council