Martha (Marty) L. Manson President Marty has served on the Arts Habitat Board of Directors for many years. A long-time employee of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, she was hired as Curator of the Aquarium art gallery, then worked in the Exhibits Division, and finally, worked in the Facilities Division on large architectural projects. She always enjoys visiting studios on the annual Studio Tour, and is optimistic that the long-awaited, affordable housing for artists at East Garrison, will be built. |
Nick Papadakis
Vice President Retired Public Sector Administrator
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Garland Thompson, Jr. Board Member Production Manager, San Jose Stage Company, San Jose, CA, Poet, Actor, Playwright, Stage Designer, Filmmaker
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Marsha Lubow Treasurer Retired Certified Public Accountant, BBR CPA
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Darcie Fohrman Board Member Darcie moved to Pacific Grove 35 years ago when her husband accepted a position at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She left her position as Director of Exhibitions at the San Diego Museum of Art to form her own consulting firm planning exhibitions with major museums in the Bay Area and nationally. She devotes her volunteer time following her passions of photography, art education advocacy and supporting the arts. She goes to extremes in pursuit of extraordinary art installations. |
Kimm Barnes Secretary Marketing Professional, Designer, Visual Artist
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Sandra Gray
Board Member Sandra Gray is well known in the art community of Monterey County. For 50+ years she has made it her business to find and participate in every possible art-sharing opportunity. She has helped to provide opportunities for artists to exhibit or share their talents with their peers and the public through teaching, mentoring, and work with various Art organizations. Sandra Gray formerly known as Sandra Robinson founded her own gallery Gray's Art Gallery 1995-1998, the Seaside Artists Association, and helped found Open Ground Studios. She has a large web presence and maintains a website www.GraysGallerypix.com. Sandra recently joined the MPAF Galery on Cannery Row a group Gallery of 31 local artists who take turns opening the gallery 1 day a month. Currently, she serves the City of Seaside as a Recreation Coordinator for the Art Program managing the Avery Gallery and is a Staff Liason for the Seaside Art & History Commission. |
Shirmaine Jones
Executive Director Shirmaine is originally from Western New York, relocating to the the Monterey Peninsula in 1983. She graduated from Middlebury College where she received a BA in Spanish Literature and a BS in Economics. She has been working with Arts Habitat since 2007. Along with her work with Arts Habitat, she was a board member and former president of the Monterey Bay Charter School Governing and Foundation Boards. Shirmaine currently sits on the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District's Citizens Bond Oversight Committee; and she serves as the part-time Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects, Monterey Bay Chapter. |
Melanie Mena
Program Manager Melanie Mena is a local up and coming artist and Full-time student at California State University Monterey Bay. She will be receiving a BFA in Visual and Public Art in 2024. Melanie was formerly working at the Monterey Museum of Art in classroom assistance, Bay View Academy in documentation and organization, UC Santa Cruz in Academic Counseling and Open Ground Studios as an art assistant. She is currently a Teaching Artist for the Arts Council for Monterey Bay and is also currently providing mentorship at First Tee Monterey Bay. Melanie has continued to pursue her personal artistic development through continuous experimentation, exploration, and education. |