Thankful and grateful at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

Posted by Mary Murray on November 23rd 2010 | 0 Comments

Tags: Institute

November 23, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving from MWPAI! We share some personal thoughts about this season of gratitude.
“I’m eternally thankful for my wife and my daughter and especially for my wife’s inspirational strength and her continued good health. I’m also very thankful for the great job I have here with a one-of-a-kind organization filled with wonderful, talented and committed people. I know that great days are ahead for the Institute and all of us.” Ryan Aumiller, Information Systems Technician

“I’ll be forever grateful for the unconditional love and unwavering support of family and dear friends – - no one should have to walk through this life alone. Enjoy every minute and be thankful…♥” Nancy Jean Baber, Administrative Assistant to the President

“I am thankful for good health.” Anna D’Ambrosio, Museum of Art Assistant Director and Curator of Decorative Arts

“This year I am quite thankful for the help of my fellow staff, in getting through a particularly challenging fall season! I am thankful for positive attitudes, and smiling faces and especially helping hands during this time of change.” Lori Eurto, Acting Registrar

A bracelet created by Lorelei (Lori) Eurto, from the Harbinger Collection

“Thankful for my talented, successful and loving children who will be supporting me shortly in my decrepit old age ” Barb Kane, Museum Educator for Public Programs

“I’m thankful that November 12, John Bielenberg came to MWPAI to inspire us all to –Think Wrong to Do Right.” Cindy Koren, Associate Professor, Communication Design, PrattMWP

“I am thankful that I get to wake up every day knowing that I can share my love of dance, music, and art with an amazing group of spirited, enthusiastic, and eager students.” Nancy Long, Dance Program Director

One of many dance classes at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

“My life is blessed in every respect. I am thankful for basic things, like the ability to walk. I am also thankful for my encounters with the sublime, like Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and Mark Rothko’s paintings.” Mary Murray, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art

“Every time I sit down at my awe-inspiring turn-of-the-century concert grand piano, I feel enormous gratitude to Heidi and John von Bergen for the indefinite loan of this gorgeous instrument. The piano had belonged to Sylvia Saunders, and was housed in her music room on Griffin Road not too far from our home. Heidi remembers Sylvia Saunders’ annual Christmas gatherings where Steve Bonta and later Rob Kolb accompanied carolers on ‘our”’ piano.” April Oswald, Director of Education, Museum of Art

April Oswald, thankful pianist

“I’m grateful that the arts exist, and even more so for the opportunity to work with such wonderful colleagues who are collectively dedicated to using the arts to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives.” Paul Schweizer, Museum of Art Director and Chief Curator

A tour of children and their grown-ups, looking at Sharon Louden's art.

“I am grateful for the Institute carrying on the tradition of its founders for nearly 75 years now. I am grateful who they choose to operate and carry out its every day needs. I am particularly grateful for not only the work they do, but for looking out for each other in other matters when one such co-worker let me know he witnessed a car hitting mine in the parking lot, and stuck around until he knew everything was ok. I know he didn’t have to do that, but he did. A Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!” Jennifer Sorrell, Assistant Gift Gallery Manager