OFFICERS
Neil Capozzi,
Chairman
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
Marie Jureit-Beamish,
Vice Chairman
Robert Ankrom,
Vice Chairman
Ed Smith,
Treasurer
Liz Bonan,
Secretary
Sharon Holt,
Member at Large
DIRECTORS
Jeff Bowers
Vicki Davis
David Deakins
Gabriella Ferraro
Elizabeth McKinley
Maria Miele
Paul Nunley
Kimberly Perron
Terri Pettengill
Jennifer Powers
EX-OFFICIOS
Becky Bruner,
City of Stuart Commissioner
Doug Smith,
County Commissioner,
Anthony Anderson,
Martin County School Board Member,
Mark Brechbill,
Economic Council
STAFF MEMBERS
Nancy K. Turrell,
Executive Director
Chris Coller,
Operations & Finance Manager
Laura Daniel,
Development & Marketing Manager
Jennifer Hearn,
Arts Projects Manager
Elise Raffa,
Communications & Membership Manager
Spring | Summer 2019 | MartinArts 3
Art is all around us!
Wow! We just finished
ArtsFest 2019, and after
spending 36 hours traversing
Stuart’s Memorial Park and
East Ocean Boulevard, I can
say that I am invigorated that
the arts are alive in Martin
County. It is amazing that
with the help of our valued
Tom Winter
volunteers, and our small Arts Council staff, we
hosted a really professional event.
During the weekend I fielded many
questions about our event. As I greeted and
thanked our artists, sponsors and our attendees,
I received many questions, “Why do we charge
admission?” to “Where is the art in ArtsFest?”
I reminded them that ArtsFest is our
largest fundraiser. In 2019, the state legislature
reduced arts investment by 97%, necessitating a
modification in our priorities. We could either cut
spending in programing or increase income by
other means. We chose to create a first–class event,
expand promotion and engagement, and increase
our admission price. The ArtsFest committee
seriously debated the effect the increased cost
would have and we didn’t take this lightly.
The second question surprised me,
“Where is the art?” This question was easy to
answer: art is all around us. The culinary arts were
represented by the “Chopped” event on Saturday
and Sunday, musicians and performers were in the
various locations throughout the park, an aerialist
on the ribbons, an eco-artist arranged twigs to
create habitats. We had painters, jewelers, potters,
and metal workers. I am sure I missed something,
but you get the idea: “Art is all around us.”
As we head into 2020, the 40th
Anniversary of the Arts Council, I hope you will
take some time and volunteer. Volunteers are
needed everywhere as gallery docents and theater
ushers. Volunteering also includes sharing your
passion for events on Facebook and Instagram,
telling your family and friends, or just getting the
word out.
The Arts Council | Court House Cultural Center | 80 SE Ocean Boulevard | Stuart, FL 34994 | 772.287.6676