Sharon Arts Announces New Board Leadership and Growth of Board - Barbara Pelkey and Laura Redmond of Jaffrey Join Board

Sharon & Peterborough, NH:// New leaders, new Board members and new directions for Sharon Arts Center were unveiled at the organization’s Annual Meeting recently. Moving up to the Board Presidency is Carolyn C. Howard of Jaffrey who had previously served as Vice President. Stephen Gehlbach, also of Jaffrey, becomes the new Vice President. Debra Strickland of Peterborough becomes Treasurer and the Honorable L Phillips Runyon, III of Peterborough is the Board Secretary.

Two new Board members were also announced: Laura Redmond and Barbara Pelkey, both of Jaffrey, NH.

Laura B. Redmond was raised in Jaffrey and returned in 1999 with her husband Michael and children Evelyn and William after 20 years living and working in the New York metropolitan area. She graduated from Wheaton College, Norton, MA, with a degree in American History and Literature. Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Sharon Arts board. In 2006, she and her sister, clay artist Bonnie Bennett, opened Redmondbennett Gallery in Dublin, NH, which featured the works of local and regional contemporary artists.  Since February of this 2010, Laura has been volunteering as the Volunteer Coordinator for SAC.  She will continue to work with the wonderful volunteers who share their talent and expertise with Sharon Arts.   In addition to the SAC Board, Laura is a member of the Monadnock Garden Club, serves on the Board of Monadnock at Home and is a member of the Crotched Mountain Harvest Dinner Committee. “I am so pleased to be joining the Sharon Arts Center Board”, said Ms. Redmond. “It is an opportunity to work with people engaged in promoting this vibrant organization as it makes art accessible to our community.  SAC offers all of us in the community the opportunity to try our hand at painting, glass blowing, ceramics and jewelry making—an opportunity to get in touch with our inner artist.”

Barbara Pelkey, of Jaffrey NH brings a strong background in Marketing and Business to Sharon Arts Center’s Board. She is active in many community nonprofit organizations: Shelter from the Storm (Board Member & Treasurer), Jaffrey Civic Center (incorporator), and the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary.  Barbara is currently the owner of Grand Finale Bakery & Café in downtown Jaffrey and is married to Steve Pelkey owner of Atlas Pyrovision Productions and the mother of a combined six daughters. Barbara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University, and an Associate’s degree Business Administration from Endicott College. In addition to her service credentials, Barbara is a United States Figure Skating competitive skater with over 37 years skating experience who was a United States gold medalist in Synchronized Skating and represented USA winning gold in Switzerland & silver in Canada. “I am very happy to serve as trustee on the board of SAC,” said Ms. Pelkey. “Art is such an important part of our culture that needs to be payed attention too and not taken for granted.”

“The future of Sharon Arts is bright,” said Director of Community Outreach & Communications Melanie McDonald. “We continue to listen to our constituents. As a small, creative organization we are able to be responsive to the needs of our community.”

Info about current board members and officers available by request to Melanie@sharonarts.org.

For a complete listing of highlights from Sharon Arts Center’s recent Annual Meeting Celebration, including a 2010 accomplishments and plans for 2011, please visit: http://www.sharonarts.org/standing-room-only.html

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About Sharon Arts: The mission of Sharon Arts Center, a non-profit organization, is to engage the community in the artistic process, to support and serve artists and craftspeople, and to foster the relationship between artists and the community through education, exhibitions, the promotion and sale of art and craft, as well as through special programs and events.

Sharon Arts Center offers a wide variety of art classes and programs in the school facility in Sharon, NH, a Fine Craft Gallery, a Juried Artist Member Gallery, and an Exhibition Gallery in the Depot Square facility.

Sharon Arts is sponsored in part by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, The Susan A. and Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation, and the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation.