Art Resume
Fine & Ethnographic Art
Director of Inventory and Research / Primitive, Inc., Chicago / 2010–
Supervise cataloging, research and tracking of a nearly 20,000 item inventory of ethnographic/tribal arts and furnishings for four-floor retail gallery and off-site warehouse. Consult with in-house graphic design and IT team to build multi-function website to showcase both product and cultural documentation. Assist the owners with purchasing plus developing schedule of gallery (and on-line) exhibitions, including curatorial concept and planning, item selection, installation design and execution.
Director, Minasian Textile Arts / Minasian Oriental Rugs, Evanston / 2006–10
Curate and install fine textile and carpet exhibitions including contact with lenders, item selection, intake/documentation, data entry/cataloging of all exhibitions items, research and creation of gallery labels/signage, supervise installation/lighting of exhibitions, create promotional materials/press releases, including media contact and interface with guest lecturers, VIP groups, donors, etc.
Consignment Cataloging & Research / Susanin’s Auctions, Chicago / 1997–99
ConsignmentDirect intake of property (on location and in gallery), data entry/documentation, supervise research and detailed cataloging of Fine Art and Oriental rug departments, also assist in decorative arts and furniture
Client servicesAccount representative for clients including sales/collection, maintain vendor and buyer records, accounts and databases, track RTV requests/authorizations, oversee packing/shipping, document and track returns to vendors and buyers
ExhibitionSales floor presence as director of fine and ethnographic art, write/compile condition reports for buyers, phone/order bid advice and execution, writing and editing/proofing of exhibition catalogs, direct marketing to vendors and buyers, training and podium experience as auctioneer
Store Manager / The Nomad's Loom, Chicago / 1994–95
Sales & service of Oriental rugs/cleaning and repair, assist with inventory, shipping, bookkeeping, and client services, assist with property management including rentals, inspections/appraisals and eventual sale of business; stayed on to assist new owners for operations and client continuity
Director, Conservation Framing / Neville-Sargent Gallery, Chicago / 1984–95
Direct purchasing, client services, pricing, budget and execution of orders for in-house custom framing shop; created, juried and executed invitational fine print show including all correspondence/scheduling with artists, gallery staff and press; assist with general sales, exhibition catalog and gallery installation, selection of art/artists for gallery representation
Fine Print Sales / Richard Reed Armstrong, Chicago / 1991–95
Assist gallery director as sales representative at seasonal Fine Art and Antique exhibitions in greater Chicago area
Curatorial / 1978-present
Upon arrival in the Chicago area for graduate school, I began to study and eventually collect fine art and ethnographic objects including prints and drawings (particularly American and Czech “spiritualist” artists), tribal oriental rugs and trappings, pre-Columbian textile fragments and vessels, and African art of the Yoruba and Kuba peoples. Recent excavations for the Three Gorges project in China presented a rare opportunity to add authentic pieces from the Han and Tang dynasties as well as 20th century Miao/Hmong textiles and artifacts.
Administrative
Asst. Office Manager / Minasian Oriental Rugs, Evanston / 1999–2010
InventoryIntake, data entry/cataloging, create/distribute tags and reports, maintain all records and databases, track RTV requests/authorizations, oversee packing/shipping, document/track returns to clients and vendors
Client recordsPayment intake/processing, bank deposits and client account reconciliation, maintain client records and databases
ReceptionGreet clients, answer/screen and route all telephone calls, take and distribute messages, correspondence/ document production (MS Word, Excel) for two executives including scheduling, travel, etc.
Music Director/General Manager / Hinsdale Chamber Orchestra / 1983–91
ProgramDirect and manage professional orchestra concert season: supervise announcement/booking of auditions, hiring/contracting of solo and orchestra musicians, booking of rehearsal and performance facilities
FinanceDevelop, implement and manage budget and staff, maintain customer database and sales records, assist with board development, long range planning and hire of salaried General Manager
PromotionSupervise PR efforts including layout/design of logo, programs and promotional brochures, liaison to local and regional press, present music appreciation talks/lectures
Director of Music / Community Presbyterian, Clarendon Hills / 1997–00
Second Unitarian, Chicago / 1993–95
First Presbyterian, Lake Forest / 1988–90
ProgramAdminister extensive program of multiple graded choirs, hand bell groups and resident instrumental ensemble, supervise professional staff of musicians/teachers, schedule physical rehearsal and performance requirements for all ensembles (dates/venues), coordinate w/ master schedule of worship services and special performances
FinanceDevelop, implement and manage budget including staff salaries, sheet music, equipment maintenance and approval/donor funding of major purchases (grand pianos, computers, sound system)
OperationsAttend weekly meetings with professional/support staff on day-to-day administration and long range planning of financial, educational and program goals, initiate concert/ recital series with guest artists and church musicians
Administrative Director / Classic Chorale of Evanston / 1979–80
OperationsSet up and manage office, create/supervise subscription sales and ticketing procedures, develop promotional and print materials including ad-book and concert programs, schedule/book concert and rehearsal facilities, initiate development effort, counsel board and staff on long range planning
Teaching
Music Director / DePaul University Community Chorus / 2005–
Director of Choral Music / Lake Forest College / 1986–88
ProgramAdminister choral program: recruit, supervise auditions and seating, select repertoire and soloists, schedule physical rehearsal and performance requirements (dates/venues) w/ college master calendar, collaborate with faculty and guest soloists, hire/supervise professional staff
FinanceDevelop, implement and manage budget including staff salaries, sheet music purchase and rentals, equipment purchase/maintenance, promotional and touring materials
TeachingRehearse and conduct multiple concerts both on and off campus, teach music appreciation
Director of Orchestras / East Carolina University / 1995–97
Director of Orchestras / Northern Illinois University / 1991–92
ProgramAdminister orchestral program: recruit, supervise auditions and seating, select repertoire and soloists, schedule physical rehearsal and performance requirements (dates/venues) w/ university master calendar, collaborate with faculty and guest soloists, supervise graduate students and professional staff
FinanceDevelop, implement and manage budget including staff salaries, sheet music purchase and rentals, equipment purchase/maintenance, promotional and touring materials
TeachingRehearse and conduct multiple concerts both on and off campus, teach beginning and graduate level conducting, guest coach/clinician for choral, opera groups and solo musicians
Education
Master of Music / Northwestern University / 1979
Orchestral Conducting
Pi Kappa Lambda (Music Honor Society)
Bachelor of Music / University of North Carolina / 1978
Conducting and Performance: Voice and F Horn