Trudy Powers-Hoffman, Karen Nuccitell, Marianne Doherty, and Claudia Owen. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

An enthusiastic group of philanthropic women sharing a passion for access to art enrichment and outreach programs gathered in the Buck Atrium of the Vero Beach Museum of Art for the closing reception of the Circle, excited to cast their votes to determine which programs they will fund in the upcoming season.

“We’ve begun to achieve our financial goals for the Circle, which are to provide more funding for more programs than ever before,” said Trudy Powers Hoffman, Steering Committee chair, after welcoming everyone.

“This year we have a new voting system that allows each of you to select your top three choices in order. You do not have to pick only one program. We are pretty sure we will be able to fund more than one program fully this year,” she added.

Robyn Orzel, VBMA director of development and associate executive director, gave an update on the amount of funding available and a brief synopsis of each program being considered.

“Over the course of this year we’ve started to see the results of the five-year strategic plan. The Circle has grown in numbers and this year we’ve raised a record amount of $56,150,” she said.

“We’re only one year into the strategic plan and we’re already halfway to the $100,000 per year goal. The museum is committed to funding every one of our educational programs one way or another, so you need to think of this as where does the Circle want to hang their hats.”

Five programs were up for consideration, and the ladies voted to fully fund three programs: the Veterans Program, Pre-K at the VBMA, and the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association Partnership, with remaining funds going toward the Family Programs.

The Veterans Program funding will enable the VBMA to expand current art classes for veterans to three 8-week classes, teaching photography, drawing, acrylic painting, clay, mural projects and other mediums.

Pre-K at the VBMA provides introductory museum experiences to Pre-K students in the school district, with Circle funding going toward art supplies for tours, studio projects, teacher resources, transportation reimbursement for schools and staff and VBMA educator wages.

The long-standing Alzheimer and Parkinson partnership began many years ago with Afternoon at the Museum and expanded to include Movement in the Moment, Movement at the Museum, and Artful Engagements. The Circle funding will maintain current programming.

The other programs under consideration included Artful Engagement and Movement in the Moment classes in Vero Beach and Sebastian in partnership with the Senior Resource Association, and Family Programs, designed to introduce participants to art through age specific, child friendly techniques in viewing, exploring, making and doing.

The Circle membership is open to all women interested in insuring that art engagement opportunities are available to all ages throughout Indian River County, regardless of any economic barriers. Members pledge $325 or more annually, knowing that collectively, they are making an impact on the outreach programs being offered.

For more information, visit VBMuseum.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis