Emeritus Board

 

The following individuals will be inducted to the Emeritus Board at Field of Vision for their exceptional service and contributions to Ox-Bow:

  • Hank Feeley; Years served: 1996-2007

  • Dave Geerts; Years served: 2006-2018

  • Chuck Michod; Years served: 1996-2005

  • Ursula Randall; Years served: 1994-2005

  • Jana Wright; Years served: 1994-2009

  • Jim Zanzi;Years served: 1995-2006

Current Emeritus Board Members who will be honored: 

  • Roger Arbury; Years served: 2000-2014

  • Patty Birkholz; Years served:1994-2014

  • Barbara Whitney Carr; Years served:2005-2015

  • Patricia Dewey; Years served: 1996-2009

  • Arthur Frederick; Years served:1997-2011

  • Lawrence Gammons; Years served: 2004-2011

  • Margaret McDermott; Years served: 2009-2011

  • Carol Sarosik; Years served:2005-2017

  • Bill Johnson; Years served: 2000-2010

  • Todd Warnock, President Emeritus; Years served: 2000-2020

Legacy Board Recognition:

  • Belva Ball; Years served: 1994-2006

  • David Balas; Years served: 2003-2018

  • Helen (Dilly) Keeler Burke; Years served: 1996-2004

  • Grinnell Burke; Years served: 1996-2004

  • Victor Kenyon; Years served: 1998-2012

  • Don Mahan; Years served: 1994-1999

  • Maragaret Mahan; Years served: 1995-2005

  • EW Ross; Years served: 1994-2018

  • Betsy Rupprecht; Years served: 1996-2018

 

BIOS

Hank Feeley was highly involved in the summer benefit for several years and served as co-chair of the Benefit Committee for at least three. He is a painter, who enjoyed attending summer sessions, taking classes and working at Oxbow; but before that, he retired from Leo Burnett where he was Vice Chairman/ There are several paintings in the Metternich that he donated to Ox-Bow.  He is currently represented by a New York gallery.

Dave Geerts served on the Board as President for 7+ years and has been a significant benefactor and patron to Oxbow over his tenure on the board. In addition to underwriting the construction of our wood kiln, Dave contributed to many other projects to sustain Oxbow. Dave recently retired from Structural Concepts in Muskegon where he served as CEO for 25+ years.

Chuck Michod became the President of Ox-Bow’s BoD at a time when Ox-Bow and SAIC were redefining their relationship. He provided a steady hand, guiding Ox-Bow through the early years of a closer, more formal relationship with SAIC.

Ursula Randall was a  devoted student of George Buehr and attended summer painting sessions for many years.  She financed the cost of disassembling and moving her old studio by semi trailer to Oxbow, where it was used as the Buehr Print studio until the Metternich was built. At the time, it was the only air-conditioned studio at Oxbow! Ursula is a long time supporter and attended every summer benefit. She still practices painting at her studio in Orland Park, Il. and you can identify many Ox-Bow landscapes shown on her website.  (Her son lives in Douglas.)

Jana Wright was a Vice President of Administration at the School of the Art Institute. It was through her persistent and guiding work that Ox-Bow became an affiliate of SAIC.  She, more than anyone else, saw the promise of this association and worked for several years to bring it to fruition. The association with SAIC brought a significant measure of financial stability to Ox-Bow.  

Jim Zanzi taught sculpture at SAIC and was a strong advocate of Ox-Bow and it’s natural landscape.  He also taught Outsider Art classes which he brought to Michigan to visit Outsider sites; always stopping at Ox-Bow with his classes to show them the beauty of the environment. He was instrumental in recruiting other artists to the Board and funded an Ox-Bow scholarship in the name of his wife, Annie.

Belva Ball was a recognized artist, long time resident of Saugatuck and champion of Oxbow. She was very involved in supporting Oxbow and making the Summer Benefit a success through her long time Board and Auxiliary service.

David Balas was a steadfast advocate and patron of Oxbow, instrumental in writing our bylaws, and never missing a meeting of the Auxiliary or the Board. Dave and his life partner Jim Sellman graciously hosted annual BBQs for our fellows, staff, faculty and board at their home. David was always generous with his time and we are grateful for his named scholarship fund.

Dilly and Grinnell Burke were significant benefactor’s of Ox-Bow, long before our association with SAIC. They carried us through some very lean times through their contributions and patronage; many times paying the bills when we were unable to do so. Dilly was a glass artist and paid for the glass studio when Jerry Catania suggested that one be built. Grinnell was our Treasurer for many years.

Victor Kenyon was very active on the Auxiliary Board and Stewardship for Ox-Bow and served as chairman of the summer Benefit when they were first located on campus. With his life partner Roger Arbury, they had a successful catering business in Naples Fla, and always made sure the bar was well tended at our summer event.

Don Mahan was an architect who was a long time board member.  He and his sons opened the place every memorial day, made plans and budgets for maintenance, built the “Wet” and put the stairs on the Tallmadge. His sons built the first pier in the lagoon, under his direction.  There were many other facilities and maintenance interventions too numerous to mention.

Margaret Mahan (Don’s wife) was a long time board and auxiliary member.  She knew many people in Saugatuck and served as a local “good will ambassador” for Ox-Bow. She was our Board Secretary for many many years, and  responsible for recruiting numerous people to the Auxiliary and Board.

EW Ross was a long time Faculty and Staff member of Oxbow who also served on Auxiliary and the Board. For many years he taught drawing at SAIC and was the Dean of Non-degree Programs. While doing that, Ross also served as the Oxbow Program Director for many years. EW also dived in as interim Campus Director and Executive Director when needed. EW loved the unique landscape of Oxbow and that was reflected in his work as an artist and his promotion of Oxbow to everyone he knew.

Betsy Rupprecht was literally raised at Ox-Bow when her parents Edgar Rupprecht and Isobel MacKinnon moved back from Europe. She was a student at Ox-Bow, a dishwasher, a long time faculty member, the Director from 1960-1965, on both the board and auxiliary for many years, and served as President of the Board. She donated her inheritance from her parents, her shares of the Ox-Bow property, when Oxbow converted to a non-profit entity.  Betsy was the conscience of Oxbow, and for everything she did we are indebted to her and sincerely grateful.