About |
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Staff
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Rebecca Gruss
Executive Director Rebecca (Bec) Gruss is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Valley Art Center effective July 1, 2021. Bec brings to this role her extensive business experience from more than 20 years in public accounting, including 7 years as a partner at Deloitte, as well as over 5 years experience running her own art gallery business in the local Chagrin Falls arts community (formerly be.gallery). In addition to her business and art gallery experience, Bec has held several roles at non-profit organizations including Finance Chair for the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls and previous board member at The Gathering Place, the American Heart Association (Cleveland Chapter), and Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) of Cleveland, where she served as President in 2004. Bec holds a BSBA from Bowling Green State University and enjoys creating art, gardening, running, and spending time with her family. Bec lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband, Bill.
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Jeni Yonker
Program Manager Jeni Yonker received her B.S. in Textile Science from Michigan State University and continued graduate studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She has been both a student and an instructor at the Valley Art Center and has a passion for art and drawing. As a 15 year resident of Chagrin Falls she really appreciates what a great resource and organization the Valley Art Center is for our community. Jeni currently lives in Michigan with her husband and is thrilled to be part of the Valley Art Center team.
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Dan Simone
Gallery and Marketing Manager Dan Simone is a lifelong artist and resident of the Chagrin Valley. He most recently completed an Associate’s degree in graphic design at Lakeland Community College where he won multiple awards. He previously was the Curator’s Assistant at the largest gallery space in Lake County, the Gallery at Lakeland Community College. Dan is excited to bring his talents to Valley Art Center, and is eager to get to work!
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Erinn Grube
Office and Event Manager Erinn Grube brings a decade of experience as a professional event planner who has managed large meetings and tradeshows throughout the United States and internationally. She loves events which bring people together to celebrate the community spirit. She is excited to bring her talents to help the Valley Art Center continue to bring high quality events to the Chagrin Valley. Erinn lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband and three children.
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Becky Frazier
Office and Program Assistant Becky Frazier studied art education and painting at The Ohio State University and earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Kent State University. She has worked in public and private schools as an art teacher, a preschool teacher and as a university instructor. Becky has painted all of her life and loves working alongside children and adults who are inspired by art. She is excited to bring her gifts and talents to Valley Art Center!
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Lucy Bailey
Registrar, Program Assistant, Gift Shop Manager Lucy Bailey is a multi-disciplinary artist living in Kirtland and working in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2019, with a double major in painting and printmaking. While her work is rooted in the logic and history of painting, she employs multiple different processes including photography, digital assemblage, fiber processes, and installation. Along with her position at the Valley Arts Center, Lucy is currently the 2020 Emerging Artist Fellow at Praxis Fiber Workshop in the Waterloo Arts District of Cleveland.
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Linda Merchant Pearce
Marketing & Communications Associate Linda Merchant Pearce is an award winning artist specializing in contemporary realism and wildlife art, with a focus on detailed painting techniques in oil and soft pastel. She holds a B.A. in Archaeology from Youngstown State University and a M.S. Degree in Special Education from National University. She is currently a visual arts instructor at Valley Art Center, Fairmount Center for the Arts, Willoughby Fine Arts Association, and Beck Center. Linda brings her extensive experience in graphic and website design to her new position at VAC.
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