Clare Orwig – Board Spotlight
Can you share a bit about your background and how your passion for the arts led you to join the Board of Directors of our Art Center?
I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to a large family; all of us are/were talented in music and various art mediums. Unfortunately, my outside art exposure was limited to classes at school. Art museums and concert venues would’ve been too expensive for our family. I moved to Norfolk 16 years ago and became a volunteer at NAC shortly after. I love that (1) we have an arts center, (2) NAC is free, (3) we offer that exposure that I missed growing up, and (4) we offer a space for all to enjoy the benefits from art/poetry/music immersion. I joined the Board to ensure that another little girl could become a confident artist. No one should be limited to the special things in life because money is tight. Think about joining me in “keeping a good thing going” with your meaningful volunteerism!
What inspired you to become involved with our Art Center, and how do you see the role of the board in promoting artistic endeavors?
As Board members, we do need to do the “housekeeping” tasks of a non-profit, but we don’t just use our creativity with the budget! We are always developing exciting ways to introduce a new medium with classes, host different community events, and display a wide range of artists’ work. New faces, ideas and perspectives are vital to our success as a Board!
Looking forward, what opportunities do you see for the Arts Center in terms of art opportunities / community engagement / education?
What does “bringing people and the arts together” mean? Our community brought that idea to life with the NAC in 1978! I have always believed that everyone is an artist…they may or may not have discovered their “medium” yet. So, the Arts Center is the facilitator…we help people connect with their inner artist and that’s awesome!
Share a personal experience of a class event or other interaction involving the Art Center that made a lasting impression?
The featured artists at the annual school shows are amazing. Their faces light up when they see their work “framed” with a mat and displayed. They are important and special…NAC can give them that gift!
If resources were limitless, what kind of exhibition, permanent display, or space would you envision for the Arts Center to introduce?
An open art studio, complete with easels, canvases, paints, pottery wheel and clay, a large collective textile art to be added to….a working mural wall to be added to. Mainly, large scale projects or messy ones that most can’t do at home
