OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our board is comprised of five dedicated Trustees and our Executive Director, each with diverse skillsets and experience that benefit St. Mary's Art Center and our mission. We are proud to have these amazing Trustees as the guiding force behind our organization.
Vanessa Stephens, Chairperson and Treasurer
Administration Management, Fiscal Management, Events, Fundraising, Government, and Community Leadership
Honey Coughlin, Vice Chairperson and Secretary
Photography, Videography, Ceramics, Visual Artist, Activist, Grants Management, Government and Community Leadership
Jay Carmona
Website and Graphic Design, Social Media and Marketing, Government, Business, Tourism, and Community Leadership
Martin A. David
International Author, Poetry, Visual Arts, Art Critic, Directing, Acting, Dance, Choreography, Jewelry Making, Art, Theatre, and Writing Instruction, Graphic Design, Multi-Lingual Translator, and Activist.
Nolan Preece
Visual Artist: Photography, Chemigrams, Printmaking, University Instruction, Gallery Management, Curating, Fundraising, and Business Management
Nolan has served on our board with dedication since 1998 and is exclusively represented by fine art galleries in Nevada and New York. He has hundreds of works in private and institutional collections across the country.
A. Perry
Executive Director, Visual and Functional Arts, Curation, Art Instruction, Activist, Interior Architecture, Preservation, International Real Estate Construction Project & Team Management, Nonprofit, Corporate, and Tourism Leadership.
Don Bailey
1936-2023
REMEMBERING DON BAILEY
We are extraordinarily sad to have lost of our board member and friend, Don Bailey.
St. Mary's Art Center was established in 1964. Don joined our board in 1975 and was truly unique and driven his entire tenure with us. He never stopped advocating for the art center. He is the only board member to work with every single director that has ever served at the art center. That is a feat and required a certain fortitude to oversee such myriad personalities, visions, and styles.
Don believed in contributing and participating in his communities. He served on many boards throughout his lifetime, including Public Employees Benefits, Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, The Nevada Area Council (BSA), and over 45 years with the Boy Scouts, to name just a few.
He received the Silver Beaver award, which is the highest award an adult volunteer may receive from the Scouts.
He was also a proud Founding Father of the National State Printers Association, President of the Retired Public Employees of Nevada, a founder of Hot August Nights, and more.
He was on our board the longest of all though, and we are quite proud of that fact. He served with pride and focus for 48 years. The art center team and all who enjoy the historic 1876 former hospital property and our variety of arts and cultural programming, could not have been more fortunate.
Don is responsible for so many improvements, including securing a donation for all of the new plumbing fixtures in the building, much of our furnishings, and our flagpole and American flags over the years. A favorite quote from the original director, Louise Curran, in 1984 is a prime example: “Don Bailey, chairman of our board, is one of the best scroungers I know”.
He consistently donated significant items to our silent auctions and always drove folks to donate or join as members and is probably trying to influence everyone from above even now. His favorite role of all though was bartending during our special events and talking with our guests.
We dedicated our Imaginations Children’s Art Program to him a few years ago because children were so incredibly important and brought him so much joy. The Don Bailey Imaginations Children's Art Program, and the art center, will carry on his legacy of supporting the arts, preservation, and children. Children and Scout Troup #847 will help us celebrate and honor him through our special events such as the Easter Egg Hunt + Art, Halloween Tricks, Treats, & Art for Kids, and other special programming.
We have all lost an incredible human and advocate, but we hope and believe his memory and spirit will live on. He will forever be missed.
We love you, Don.
If you are interested in making a donation in Don's memory toward our programming and/or Don Bailey's Imaginations Children's Program, he would undoubtedly be thrilled, and would thank you, as our most passionate fundraiser. Please contact us if you prefer the donation to be allocated to a particular program. Thank you!
