Berkshire Art Center Welcomes Community Engagement Director & Announces New Board Members This Fall
Berkshire Art Center (formerly IS183 Art School) is pleased to welcome longtime faculty member, Kristin Grippo, as the new Community Engagement Director and announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors this fall, which includes Milena Cerna, David Gilbert and Cheryl Mirer.
Having taught children for over twenty years, Grippo has been a faculty educator with Berkshire Art Center for nearly a decade. She has degrees in Elementary Education, Literacy, and Art History; and has pursued infinite creative endeavors from a young age, whether it be crafting Barbie clothes from tissues and tape or selling origami sculptures to fellow neighborhood kids. Grippo is a memoirist, poet, and performer who has been known to host local open-mics and appear in pop-up plays and story-telling events. She loves making cardboard robots and super hero masks with her energetic and creative 3-year-old-son.
“I am thrilled to be able to focus my energy on this organization that I have been devoted to for so many years,” said Grippo. “I have new curricula in the works and am excited to strengthen Berkshire Art Center’s relationship with other local organizations and community members. Art for all!”
Along with developing curriculum for Berkshire Art Center’s after school art programs across the county, Grippo will be overseeing the organization’s Teaching Institute program as well as managing its volunteers and artists-in-residence.
“Having Kristin in her new role as Community Engagement Director will further strengthen all our efforts to respond to the needs of our creative community,” said Berkshire Art Center’s Board Chair, Mike Zippel.
The first new incoming member to Berkshire Art Center’s Board of Directors is Milena Cerna. With over 30 years of experience as a senior executive in global finance, technology and higher education markets, she has held senior leadership positions in marketing, financial management, and strategy development for a number of companies and universities. Cerna started her career at Colgate Palmolive as a member of a corporate strategy team responsible for new acquisitions in Asia and Latin America. Holding an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Columbia University, she lives in Great Barrington, MA and currently serves as an elected member of the Great Barrington Finance Committee.
In addition to Cerna, David Gilbert also joins Berkshire Art Center’s board as a new member. With a belief that art transforms and renews lives and nourishes communities, he is honored and excited to be part of Berkshire Art Center in its mission to bring art where "people who love art, regardless of age or ability, can gather to experience creative expression.” As an interior designer and avid art collector, Gilbert has a Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law as well as a BS in psychology and a BFA from the New York School of Interior Design.
The third new board member is Cheryl Mirer, who is a painter, printmaker, and mixed media artist. Mirer grew up in Burlington, CT and earned a Bachelor of Art and Art History in 1995 at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master of Science Arts Administration in 2005 at Boston University. As an Enrollment Counselor at Berkshire Community College, she is passionate about the Berkshire community and wishes to make a difference in people’s lives through art.
“I am beyond delighted to welcome Cheryl, David, and Milena to our Board of Directors,” said Zippel. “One of my goals as chair was to expand our board with enthusiastic, passionate and capable new members. I am excited to work alongside our now board of seven and provide guidance and stewardship to our beloved Berkshire Art Center and our wonderful leader, Lucie Castaldo.”
Berkshire Art Center’s Board of Directors meets quarterly to further the organization’s goal of growing and sustaining artists in Berkshire County. For more information on Berkshire Art Center’s programming, work exchange opportunities and initiatives or to make a donation visit www.berkshireartcenter.org.