Supporters of the Vero Beach Museum of Art gathered outside its Education Wing last Wednesday to see their names or those of their loved ones etched in stone at the Brick Pathway Dedication, marking the conclusion of the museum’s most recent Capital and Endowment Campaigns.
“I hope each of you have had a chance to read the engraved messages of our new pathway,” said VBMA Board Chairman Sandy Rolf in her welcome address. “They are messages of inspiration and celebration, messages of remembrance and in honor of friends, loved ones and even pets. Each one is special and together they create an inviting welcome to all.”
Prior to her talk, donors had peered over the bricks, cellphone cameras in hand, eager to send photos to friends and family members unable to attend.
Pamela Ridgeway Dolby, a former docent at the VBMA, wanted her sons to have a permanent message to their grandparents, who passed away a couple of years ago.
“My parents and my sons did a lot of things at the museum so I placed a brick from my boys to their grandparents,” said Dolby. “What better way to remember your family? I’ve traveled around the country and this museum has more to offer than any other; and, of course, the docents are the best!”
Jeff and Traci Brasse said they reunited on Facebook 26 years after attending high school together. She eventually moved here from Washington, D.C. so they could be together, and for Christmas dedicated a brick to him. “When Traci first moved here this was one of the first places we came to,” said Jeff Brasse.
The Dolan family was one of several inscriptions indicative of a close-knit clan. As Naddy Dolan explained, pointing with pride to grandsons John Patrick and Peter Haley, “They’re two of the 23 grandchildren.”
“Each of these bricks also makes an impact in another way,” said Rolf. “All funds raised from this project have been designated for the Museum Community Impact Endowment Fund. This fund will provide the means for us to address pressing issues within our community and allow us to develop partnerships as the needs of the community shift in the future.”
Rolf thanked Peter Thompson, Capital Campaign co-chair, noting that the success of the capital expansion will enable them to provide even more diverse arts experiences. The Endowment Campaign will help fund a number of community outreach partnerships, and Rolf recognized co-chairs Doug and Dhuanne Tansill, and honorary co-chairs Bill and Laura Buck for their leadership, commitment and passion in that effort.
“We are thrilled by the response to this project and we want to express our heartfelt thanks to each one of you who have helped us pave the way for impact,” said Rolf. “Your investment truly makes a difference.”