Suzi McCoy Shriner and Susie Kintner. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Members and prospective members of the Circle, a Vero Beach Museum of Art philanthropic group of women who contribute to the museum’s community-based art enrichment programs, kicked off the 2024-25 season at an afternoon gathering in the Buck Atrium.

Circle members annually contribute $325 or more and, after committee members conduct site visits and narrow down choices, members will choose which programs to fund at their April 11 Closing Cocktail Reception.

“Trudy asked me to share that we had a really successful first year of our five-year plan,” said Susan Kintner, filling in for current chairperson Trudy Powers Hoffman.

She added that they hope to reach a goal of $100,000 to contribute to the museum’s programs.

Steering committee chairs spoke about their recent activities, including planning a series of events which will be listed on the VBMuseum.org Circle webpage.

Robyn Orzel, director of development/associate executive director, noted that over the past 14 years, the Circle has greatly impacted the sustainability and growth of the museum’s outreach and education programs through partnerships with the school district, Senior Resource Association, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Association, Moonshot Moment, Veterans Council, Boys and Girls Clubs, and others.

And, she said, thousands of people have enjoyed the museum’s family programs, school programs, community access programs, summer art camps, and the Art Zone.

Last year, she said, the Circle voted to fully fund Museum Explorations and the fall semester of A-Plus Arts, and individual Circle members made additional gifts to support the Pre-K program, Veterans program, and Alzheimer and Parkinson partnership.

This year, programs under consideration are:

Alzheimer and Parkinson Association: Movement in the Moment and Movement at the Museum.
Senior Resource Association: Movement in the Moment and Artful Engagements.
Family Programs: Museum Stories; Museum Babies; Museum Toddlers; Museum Studios, including a new sensory-friendly program for the autistic; Children’s Art Festival and Holidays at the Museum; and the Art Zone.
Veterans Program: Three eight-hour art classes.
Museum Exploration and Museum Exploration on the Go: On- and off-site school programs.
A-plus Art and the RISE Center for the Neurodiverse: For those with autism and other special needs.
Pre-K at the VBMA: Gallery tours, art activities and take-home art kits.
Homeschool: For families with homeschooled students.

For more information, visit VBMuseum.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis