The Morgan Announces Incoming and Outgoing Board Members
The Morgan Conservatory is excited to announce the addition of Paula Damm, Jill Fowler and J. Leigh Garcia to the Morgan's Board of Directors. These accomplished individuals bring a wealth of experience that will be instrumental in guiding our next phase of growth.
THE MORGAN CONSERVATORY ANNOUNCES INCOMING AND OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS
CLEVELAND – The Morgan Conservatory is excited to announce the appointment of Paula Damm, Jill Fowler and J. Leigh Garcia to the board of directors. “I am thrilled to welcome our three new board members, as well as the diverse skills, leadership, and fresh energy they bring to the Morgan Conservatory,” stated Executive Director Nicole Donnelly.
A long time resident of Cleveland Heights, Paula Damm has spent the past 21 years as the School Nurse at Shaker Heights High School. In 2018, she met artist Tony Williams at an art show in St. Augustine, FL. At the time, Damm was very much an emerging artist and knew little about the Cleveland art scene. Williams cheerfully handed Damm a Morgan brochure from his bag and insisted she take a class. Damm did as he advised, and the rest is history. Many more classes followed, and she eventually taught a class with artist Julie McLaughlin. Damm looks forward to giving back to the Morgan, which continues to inspire her.
For more than 30 years, Jill Fowler, Founder and CEO of Songbird Leadership, has specialized in strategic initiatives, management, program development and assessment, in addition to all things people-related in the philanthropic and business sectors. She believes that all nonprofit organizations deserve focused leadership, a motivated and effective team, a fully engaged board and strategic goals to best serve their mission and allow our community to thrive. Fowler looks forward to implementing her areas of expertise and collaborating with Morgan’s talented board members.
J. Leigh Garcia received her MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and BFA from the University of North Texas. She has received numerous awards for her work including the Emerging Printmaker Award from Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI), New Faculty Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award from Kent State University, and the Gamblin Emerging Artist Award. Garcia’s work is included in more than 15 permanent collections including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. Garcia currently works as an Associate Professor of Printmaking at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Exiting the board of directors are Jean Appleby, Deborah Howe, Julie McLaughlin, Anthony Trausch, and Tony Williams. “In this period of transition, as we welcome three new members, I would like to express extreme gratitude to the five very dedicated board members who have ended their terms,” shared board president Maggie Denk-Leigh. “They have served the Morgan for various lengths of time and have all helped to guide the Morgan to this new chapter.”
Jean Appleby says it has been an honor and a privilege to serve with the current and departing Morgan board members. “Tom Balbo’s vision, artistic achievements and commitment inspired my interest,” explained Appleby. “Nicole Donnelly’s leadership to further the Morgan’s reach, influence, and success is carrying us forward."
“I think one of the greatest achievements of the workshop committee which I've been in charge of is having excellent people in the workshop coordinator position,” stated outgoing board member Deborah Howe. “We've been able to offer expansive workshops, bringing in some really creative and talented teachers. The happiest moments at the Morgan have been during the Open House. There's good energy and a feeling of vigor that anything is possible.”
McLaughlin treasures her time as a Morgan Conservatory board member. She admires the dedicated staff, volunteers and fellow board members who tirelessly worked together to establish the paper studio, garden, gallery, bindery, and letterpress studio for artists to use and for students to learn through the many workshops offered. She has made many lifelong friends through the Morgan, and feels like a member of a very special creative family.
Tony Williams remembers walking through the doors of the Morgan in the spring of 2012. “I instantly fell in love with the place and felt welcomed,” remarked Williams. After taking his first class at the Morgan, Williams’ artwork was accepted into the inaugural juried exhibition. He joined the board in 2016 and took on the task of planning the Morgan's 10th Anniversary followed by other exciting events including "Farm to Table," "A Diamond in Hough Gala," and "A Kozo Garden Party". Williams appreciates how these memorable celebrations created a lasting impact on Cleveland’s community by inspiring and bringing people together.
The Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory and Educational Foundation is an Ohio non-profit art center dedicated to the preservation of hand papermaking and the art of the book. The Morgan Conservatory pursues its educational and charitable purposes by serving the greater community locally, nationally, and internationally with sustainable practices in an innovative green environment.
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Contact::
Diana Greenberg Zubal
Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory & Educational Foundation
1754 E. 47th St. Cleveland, OH 44103
www.MorganConservatory.org | 216-361-9255
Open Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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