Newly installed board members were welcomed at the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council’s retreat on August 18. Held at the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center in Chester was the retreat site where board and staff made plans for the year and assigned committee members.

Lea Brooks, Renee Carter, Sharon Dobson, Rick Strittmater and Mark Turner joined the board in July. All were voted in unanimously at the Arts Council’s annual dinner in May. Diana Saquella was voted in as Chair, Audrey Scott, Vice Chair and Anne Welsh continues her work as Secretary and was also elected to the position of Treasurer.

Vice Chair Audrey Scott is enthusiastic about the new members saying, “Adding these new members to our Board is a wonderful opportunity to expand and improve our mission of increasing art awareness and appreciation in our County. Sharon, Renee, Mark, Rick and Lea will help us raise the bar on visibility and credibility during their association with the Arts Council. I look forward to working with them.”

“The Arts Council has long enjoyed a diverse composition among its board members” said executive director, Darcey Schoeninger. “The current board is exceptional in that regard. The ranges of professional and personal experience include music, architecture, graphic art, administration, public planning, social work, public office and entrepreneur.”

The retreat included newly hired Program Coordinator Andrea Hearn. Hearn has extensive experience with graphic design and videography.

The Queen Anne’s County Arts Council is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting, expanding and sustaining the arts. They are supported in part through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

In Photo Left-Right: Amanda Showell Cook, Lea Brooks, Renee Carter, Andrea Hearn, Rick Strittmater, Kathy Kowalski, Diana Saquella, Audrey Scott, Sharon Lipsius, Mark Turner, Sharon Dobson, Anne Welsh