03/07/2008: "Westcott Bay Institute Expands"

The Westcott Bay Institute (WBI), which operates the Westcott Bay Sculpture Park and the Island Museum of Art , has announced the expansion of its programs in the San Juan Islands and a transition management plan to accommodate the growth.

The Island Museum of Art opens again this spring with an exciting series of significant exhibitions, each featuring the work of fine artists of the region. The Institute’s noted educational programs are expanding this year to reach more school groups throughout the islands.

The Westcott Bay Sculpture Park continues to welcome new work from artists of the region. For several years the Park has seen steady growth in attendance, with more than 35,000 documented visitors annually. Negotiations for the addition of sculptures by some of the Northwest’s most notable artists have accelerated.

The Westcott Bay Institute’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Kay Kammerzell will be transitioning her role from Executive Director to Curator this spring. The Board has begun the search for a new Executive Director, welcomed several new members and is inviting Institute supporters to become involved in its growth of exhibitions and educational activities. Committees include: Westcott Bay Sculpture Park, the Island Museum of Art, Special Events, Marketing PR & Outreach, and Education. Those interested are encouraged to call the Westcott Bay Institute at 370-5050.

Nina Le Baron was recently elected President of the Board of Westcott Bay Institute. Le Baron holds degrees in Interior Architecture and Historic Preservation and is owner of the local residential design firm Island Architecture. Le Baron says “Kammerzell and her husband Arnie Klaus, Co-Founder and Board member of Westcott Bay Institute, have provided vision, leadership, and huge amounts of hard work to make the Institute nationally recognized within a mere seven years.” In addition to her curatorial duties with WBI, Kammerzell will be pursuing an opportunity to create a new sculpture park on the Kona coast of Hawaii.

The Institute also welcomes two new Board members, Suzy Pingree and Peg Gerlock. Pingree is a semi-retired communication professor with a degree in art history and has taught print and web design for twenty-five years. Peg Gerlock, a collector of regional and native artwork, has more than twenty years’ experience in marketing and public relations and is currently Vice President of Marketing for a market research firm.

The WBI Board of Directors wishes to thank all those individuals and organizations who have and continue to contribute their time, inspiration and donations, without which the Westcott Bay Institute would not be able to fulfill its mission, “to protect and preserve the natural environment of the San Juan Islands for the benefit of the public through education about rural island arts, culture and the environment.”