Rocky Neck Art Colony Board of Trustees
Rocky Neck Art Colony 2022 Strategic Plan
Janice Brand, Co-President
Retiring from a 40-year career as a writer, editor and publishing executive, Janice let her inner artist escape at last with forays into pottery, Asian ink painting and drawing with charcoal, pencil, graphite, ballpoint pens — anything she can get her hands on. She next turned her organizational skills on RNAC.
She manages the Life Drawing Group and launched the RNAC Workshops program. She’s very happy to share the President title with Jeffrey Newell.
She lives with her husband, painter Bob Grady, two cats and still too much stuff in Lanesville.
Jeffrey Newell, Co-President
A graduate of Montserrat College of Art, in Beverly, Massachusetts, Jeffrey currently serves as Director of Enrollment Management at Shore Country Day School in Beverly. He joined the RNAC board in 2017, and has served on the Goetemann Artist Residency, Development, Membership and Executive committees.
While trained as an artist, Jeffrey is now focused outside the studio, whether helping other artists connect through RNAC or working with the next generation to meet its full potential with admission application materials and portfolios.
Jeffrey has lived on Cape Ann for more than 15 years.
Susan Alvey, Vice President
Recently retired from a career in executive coaching, organizational development and teaching, Susan now focuses on her artistic pursuit of weaving. She is a member of the SOWA guild in Boston, is part of the South End Woven studio collective at 450 Harrison Avenue and spends time in her home weaving studio.
Among other activities, Susan taught business and leadership at Endicott College and Babson College, and was a member of the Le Grand David Magic Company in Beverly.
After spending two decades as a resident in Cambridge, she is glad to be back in Gloucester (she lived in Rocky Neck in the 1990s). She is an avid kayaker and a Gloucester Gig Rower.
Mary Mandarino, Treasurer
Mary has an MBA from Bentley University and brings to RNAC her background of 40+ years in finance.
She also has 30+ years of weaving experience, and has been the Treasurer for the New England Weavers Seminar. She’s currently an active member of the South End Woven Collaborative and the Danforth Weavers.
Amy Sudarsky, Artistic Director
Over the past several decades, Amy focused on college-level art education and her own studio practices. She retired from Boston University and Lesley University with the advent of COVID in 2020, but was quickly scooped up to run self-portrait art classes via Zoom to help Rocky Neck through the pandemic.
She remains committed to teaching and relishes the opportunity to help nurture and expand the workshops at Rocky Neck. She lives in Manchester by a lovely pond.
Martha Sutyak, Secretary
Martha is an interior designer and brand creator as well as co-owner of Smartly Staged, a real estate staging company.
Long a volunteer in the arts and community ventures, Martha is thrilled to be on the RNAC board member, serving as Secretary. She is also on the Building & Facilities Committee.
She lives with her husband John in Beverly Cove. She enjoys cooking, gardening and making all sorts of things.
Elizabeth Carey
As the Executive Director of Discover Gloucester from 2016 to 2022, Elizabeth promoted tourism and escalated awareness of Gloucester. Previously, she held various publishing, sales and marketing positions in Boston. She is happy to live on Cape Ann now, and looks forward to harnessing her considerable marketing expertise (and energy) for the benefit of Rocky Neck.
Stephen Gondert
Originally from Ohio, Stephen has an undergraduate degree from Miami University in English Literature and a Master’s from Boston University in Mass Communications. Much of his career focused on helping companies deploy and manage Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
During his 15 years at Fidelity, Stephen was responsible for defining business cases to secure funding for various technology initiatives. He can apply this experience to help The Rocky Neck Art Colony pursue grants to ensure the future of the organization.
Stephen works in fused glass and has produced a range of works that feature shapes created with a specialized band saw designed to cut glass. He and his wife Andrea moved to Beverly in October, 2019. He is an active kayaker on Essex Bay and a mountain biker on the trails in Gloucester.
Brenda Malloy, Artist Member
A commercial helicopter pilot for over 12 years, Brenda settled in Gloucester after travelling the US solo.
Her love of Gloucester was sparked by summering here since childhood. She has owned IMAGINE Gallery, at 43 Rocky Neck Ave., since 2002, and started showing her own work there in 2006 when she took up painting. Prior to that, IMAGINE was stocked with handicrafts, clothing and accessories from her winter sojourns to Nepal, Bali, Thailand and India.
She enjoys supporting the Rocky Neck Art Colony, and still finds time to volunteer at various community organizations, dance and enjoy life.
Stephanie Mason, Artist Member
After graduating with a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, Stephanie pursued a long professional career as a textile designer in NYC and Boston. Moving to Gloucester, she became intrigued with the Japanese folk art of painting and rubbing fish to document its size, also known as “Gyotaku.”
For the last several years, she has been acquiring fish from local fishermen and experimenting with different printing techniques. Throughout this journey, she has documented many species that are now under strict fishing regulations. When not making her own art and running galleries, Stephanie manages the Salted Cod Gallery at 53 Rocky Neck Avenue as part of The Rocky Neck Art Colony.
Peggy Cullen Matlow
Choosing baking as a creative way to earn a paycheck, Peggy lived in NYC, working as a pastry chef, food writer and candy-maker. Eventually marrying her college love, Andy Matlow, now a ceramicist, she moved to the Berkshires where they started a design/build company together.
She also got her pilot’s license and was Treasurer of the local 99s–a national group of female flyers. She lives in East Gloucester, finally achieving a lifelong goal of living on the edge of the continent, where land meets sea.
Vanessa Michalak, Artist Member
Vanessa earned her MFA from Tufts University after working as a registered nurse for a number of years. She has been an artist in residence at the acclaimed Anderson Ranch Art Center in Snowmass Village, CO., and was the recipient of a Massachusetts Fellowship Award in painting in 2014. Her work was published in New American Paintings, issue #110. She is also a member of the North Shore Arts Association.
Vanessa owns Michalak Fine Art on Madfish Wharf. Her work has been exhibited nationally locally at Jane Deering Gallery, Charles Fine Arts and Cove Gallery.
As an artist living and working on Rocky Neck, Vanessa is an energetic and passionate advocate for Rocky Neck Art Colony. Her leadership and vision have been evident to everyone, particularly in the exceptional events on Madfish Wharf. Vanessa also serves on the Residency Committee for RNAC.
Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy, builder of birdhouses and highly accomplished artist, is also a graphic designer extraordinaire. He acts as a creative source for project work ranging from web ads, print, environmental advertising and all aspects of graphic design for small to mid-sized companies.
Brian is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, BFA Illustration, Graphic Design, Sculpture. In his other life, he has volunteered for a number of charities. He lives in Beverly.
Robert “Bob” Murphy
In May 2022 after 35 years, Bob retired as an MAI-designated commercial real estate appraiser, expert witness, and principal of Robert D. Murphy Associates, Inc. His work involved extensive analysis of site conditions, building components and utilities, zoning requirements, permitting processes, market analysis, and feasibility studies all of which will hopefully be useful for RNAC.
As a studio artist, his mediums include charcoal and pencil, watercolor, acrylic, and pastels. Bob has studied with Michele Kenna, Robin Thornhill and the inimitable Amy Sudarsky. A graduate of Amherst College, Bob is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Dramatists Guild and has performed on New England stages for over 30 years. He was named a Mass Cultural Council Fellow in Dramatic Writing in 2015.
Bob and his wife Pat live in Beverly where they raised two children and are blessed with three grandchildren.
Ruzanna Queenan
Ruzanna provides financial coaching and planning to successful women who want to align their money with their purpose in life. A commitment to art and the community is what attracts her to being on the RNAC board.
She feels we all have a responsibility to support causes that we care about , and art has a very special place in her heart. Growing up, she had much exposure to artists through her two uncles, which enriched her life tremendously. She lives in Beverly.
Cynthia Switzer Roth
Cynthia has worked for 20 years in financial services — to support her art addiction. She was a founding member of Gloucester’s Local Colors cooperative gallery, creator and director of the Lanesville Art Show, and co-owner of Flatrocks Gallery.
She serves on the Goetemann Artist Residency and Exhibitions committees.
She’s a mom, a gardener, a maker and an outdoors-lover who likes to wander aimlessly in Dogtown.
Amy Sudarsky
Over the past several decades, Amy focused on college-level art education and her own studio practices. She retired from Boston University and Lesley University with the advent of COVID in 2020, but was quickly scooped up to run self-portrait art classes via Zoom to help Rocky Neck through the pandemic.
She remains committed to teaching and relishes the opportunity to help nurture and expand the workshops at Rocky Neck. She lives in Manchester by a lovely pond.
Laura Olmstead Tonelli
Paul Trefry
After an idyllic childhood and undergraduate education in rural Minnesota, I headed off to West Germany as an officer in the US Army. There I became exposed, for the first time in my life, to world-class museums and a group of painters known as the Impressionists. And that changed everything.
After a career in commercial aviation, I can now devote my energies to photography and historical research. My wife Maureen and I have become friends and admirers of numerous graduates of Montserrat Collage of Art.
Emeriti Board
Kathleen Gerdon Archer (Board member 2012-2022)
Following a 17-year real estate career, Kathy Archer changed paths to attend Montserrat College of Art, graduating in 2003.
A former member of The Kingston Gallery and The Copley Society in Boston, she joined Rocky Neck Art Colony in 2006 and opened White Bird Gallery, on Rocky Neck Avenue. She later co-founded FLOAT Gallery, on Madfish Wharf.
Kathy has served in many capacities at RNAC before becoming President in 2017.
Pat Conant (Board member 2012-2020)
Patricia (Pat) Conant’s family has been renting lodging to artists for almost 100 years.
She has seen many changes come to Rocky Neck and is pleased watch the growth of opportunities and expansion of support for contemporary artists through the efforts of the members of the Rocky Neck Art Colony.
Ramona Faherty (Board member 2012-2020)
A lifelong resident of Gloucester and a member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony since 1992. Past Treasurer of the Art Colony for many years.
After leaving banking as a loan officer in 1987, purchased with her husband Michael a small hotel on Rocky Neck. Today Mona manages and owns two hotels and several rental properties in Gloucester.
Karl Frank (Board member 2012-2020)
Karl Frank started his art life at 10, with lessons from a neighbor. In light of the scarcity of nude models in suburbia, Karl recreated on paper the nakedly organic shapes of old shoes. When he later studied at the Art Students League, he was pleased that the old-shoe substitute was not necessary in the big city.
Karl can be found still engaged in art, photography and furniture-making in his East Gloucester home and studio.
In view of his amateur status, some are surprised to learn Karl did get training in painting, photography and woodworking, and even, for one year, made his living drawing pictures (specifically renditions of furniture, cabinets and buildings, drawn in perspective from dimensioned plans).
Mary Ann McCormick (Board member 2014-2021)
Mary Ann had a 30+ year career in financial services before starting a gourmet cookie company, Lark Fine Foods.
Now retired, she stays busy teaching Mah Jongg, cooking, volunteering at the animal shelter, and working with RNAC on the Nominating, Development/Event, and Membership committees.
She lives on Rocky Neck with her husband, John, and Lyla, their cat.
Ann Clark McKay (Board member 2012-2019)
My ancestors arrived in Gloucester in 1650 and I have lived on Rocky Neck since 1980.
I am proud to have been part of a hard-working group of artists and their neighbors in an organization that, among other things, saw the birth of Gallery 53, published a scholarly book honoring Rocky Neck artists, created an Historic Art Trail and purchased a beautiful old building.
Barbara Moody (Board member 2017-2023)
Having earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Harvard University, Barbara served as a Professor and Dean at Montserrat College of Art for more than 40 years.
She’s an accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited in many solo and group shows in Boston as well as corporate collections and commissions. She co-founded FLOAT Gallery at Rocky Neck in 2019. Barbara’s Website.
Barbara served as secretary of the Board and a member of the RNAC Finance and Residency committees. A resident of Beverly, she hopes to move to Gloucester at some point in the future.
Ruth Mordecai, Artist Member (Board member 2012-2021)
Current member of the Goetemann Artist Residency (GAR) Committee, where she served as Director from 2008 to 2015. Ruth also created the Distinguished Artist/Teacher and Gloucester Invitational programs for GAR.
Presently co-leader with Kat Masella of an ongoing Artists Conversation/Crit Group, Ruth taught for many years at the DeCordova Museum School, the Harvard University Ceramics Department and Boston University School for the Arts.
She is represented by Matthew Swift Gallery, and her work is found in major collections including Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Cape Ann Museum; website www.RuthMordecai.com. Ruth has lived with her psychotherapist husband, Ed Powers, on Rocky Neck since 1999.
Judy Robinson-Cox (Board member 2012-2020)
After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a BFA in painting and photography in the 1970s, Judy ran a fine-art leather craft business in Woodstock, NY for seven years. She studied graphic design at Philadelphia College of Art in the ‘80s and worked for 20 years as a graphic designer/marketing communications executive in high tech. She left the corporate world in the 90s to start her own design and fine art photography business in Gloucester.
Judy became involved with the Rocky Neck Art Colony in 2005, and was elected manager of Gallery 53 in 2009. She served as RNAC Marketing Manager for several years.
Amy Bell Ross (Board member 2012-2020)
In the inimitable words of her inimitable father, Amy Bell Ross spent the first part of her career “doing” (as a marketing and merchandising executive) and the latter part “teaching” (as a college professor and dean of undergraduate school of business).
A lifelong Gloucester resident with strong ties to Rocky Neck, she has long been an RNAC booster and Board member. Her inclination to foster the cultural preservation of what is indeed a very special place inspired her work with other RNAC volunteers over the last decade to develop and publish the RN Historic Art Trail.
Today, she serves on the Finance and Membership committees.
Karen Ristuben (Board member 2012-2021)
Having served as RNAC President for 10 years (2007-2017), Karen remains deeply committed to the Rocky Neck arts community as a Board member.
She serves as Program Director for Essex County Community Foundation’s “Creative County Initiative,” a multi-year investment to strengthen and support the arts and culture in communities of Essex County.
From her house overlooking Gloucester Harbor and Rocky Neck, Karen plays a little music and makes art, but her main interest is in creating conditions to support other artists.
Martha Swanson (Board member 2012-2020)
Martha Swanson served as the Artistic Director of RNAC for eight years. In addition to enjoying a career as an award-wining art director and graphic designer for books and magazines, Martha spent a number of years in the non-profit sector as President of the Cambridge Art Association and managing director of CENTER in Santa Fe, NM.
On relocating to Cape Ann in 2010, she fell in love with Rocky Neck, the history of the art colony and the fabulous historic building that would become the Cultural Center.
It should be mentioned that she also found time to draw, paint and exhibit her work. See Close Up: Sketchbooks by Martha Swanson.