July 30, 2006
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette names director, adds members, donors
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The position will be named for Anne Horwedel, who along with her husband, Lowell, made a $60,000 contribution to the museum that will provide support for the post. Anne Horwedel has a bachelor's degree in art and art history from UCLA and a master's degree in fine arts from Purdue.
"It is vitally important that the Art Museum have a director who can concentrate on development and guide the museum in the direction of financial stability," said Lowell Horwedel, president of the Lafayette Art Association Foundation Inc. board of directors. "The museum also has made giant steps toward expanding its support. We have added 450 new and renewed members and brought in more than $35,000 in memberships and other contributions since May 1. Our future looks very bright thanks to the support of this community."
Rhonda Jones earned her bachelor's degree from Purdue in communication and attended DePauw University. She worked for Hirons Inc. as the regional marketing manager for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. She also has worked on special projects for the Lafayette-West Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In addition, she is a board member of the Indiana Sagamore division of the March of Dimes and is a member of the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, where she was the volunteer coordinator for the Taste of Tippecanoe from 2001-05. Jones is also a member and past president of the Lafayette Wildcat Kiwanis Club and a member of the John Purdue Club and the Purdue Alumni Association.
"Rhonda is an energetic marketing professional with more than 15 years of successful experience in sales, marketing and public relations," said Sonya Margerum, president of the board of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. "Her key strengths are her enthusiasm, strategic planning and volunteer recruitment.
"We are very grateful to the Horwedels for providing the funds to finance this position."
Members of the Purdue University Development Office worked with the museum to draft a three-year fund-raising plan, which helped lead to the contribution and the new position.
"By building a partnership between Purdue and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, I hope both entities will benefit," said Murray Blackwelder, Purdue's senior vice president for advancement. "Purdue can help guide the museum in its mission to move forward, and the entire Purdue family, as well as the community, will profit from an active arts community."
William Theobald, interim director, and administrative assistant, Karin Bergman, have been leading the museum.
"Bill served as an interim director on a volunteer basis and helped provide stability and excellent direction during this transitional period," Margerum said. "We want the art museum to be community centered with high professional standards and a stable financial basis. We feel that Rhonda can provide that development expertise and enthusiasm that we will need to accomplish our goals."
Currently on exhibit at the museum is Lafayette Collects: Native American Pottery and the Pueblos and Fiberfest: A Community Connection. Next up for the museum is a wine-tasting party and auction on Aug. 24.
The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette got its beginnings in 1909 when 25 residents came together and formed the Lafayette Art Association. Following years of growth and changes, it is now accredited by the American Association of Museums. The museum regularly offers exhibitions, lectures and classes for the public. Located at 102 S. 10th St., the museum's collection has expanded to more than 800 works of art as a result of donations and purchases.
Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu
Sources: Lowell Horwedel, (765) 583-2748, (765) 583-2484, lhorwedel@insightbb.com
Sonya Margerum, (765) 463-5730, margerum@insightbb.com
Rhonda Jones, (765) 429-0434, (765) 429-4242, rhondawjones@verizon.net
Murray Blackwelder, (765) 496-2144, mblackwelder@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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