New coffee stand, board members for art museum

A coffee stand with seating for 12 has been approved for the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. To serve museum guests and draw pedestrians inside, the cart and three tables will be arrayed inside the facility’s large window at 551 Broadway.

“We’re excited about bringing more people into the museum,” said Executive Director Kate Eilertsen, “To make it an active and exciting place to be.”

Endorsed by city staff, the plan was quickly and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission last week.
Meanwhile the museum has announced new officers and seven new directors.

New to the board are real estate broker Gerrett Snedaker, communications specialist Bob Gardner, real estate technology consultant Steven Hightower, media consultant Daedalus Howell, Sonoma Valley High School art instructor Owen Tuttle, architect Jeff Zimmerman, and designer Ann Jones.

Each new board member was elected for a three-year term. 

Snedaker takes over as president of the 13-year old organization, replacing Jane Milotich who remains on the board as Immediate Past President. Snedaker is enthusiastic about the Museum’s future.

“It’s an honor to provide leadership for this excellent group of directors and for this wonderful gem of a Museum,” he said. “Our goal is to draw more and more people into the museum so that they may be challenged and inspired. With our great staff and dedicated volunteers, the board has a real head start in moving the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art forward in its second decade.”

Returning board member Yvonne Hall continues as treasurer and also takes the position of first vice president. Cal Vander Woude is the museum’s new secretary. Other returning members include Allan Grosh, Lois Gordon, Kathe Hodgson, Cherie Hughes, Diane Krause, Sandy Larson, Michael Muscardini, Paul Vieyra, and Douglas Fenn Wilson.
The museum has completed an intense six-month strategic planning process, and each of the new board members will play a unique role in its implementation.

Eilertsen has begun developing new public programming intended to involve an even broader spectrum of the community in educational activities for families, seniors and children of all ages.

Looking to the upcoming exhibition season and related activities, Eilertsen said, “With the growth of the educational programs, expanded community engagement and fascinating exhibitions it is a very exciting time for the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. I am profoundly grateful for the new expertise, energy and commitment to all that we do.”