Margo Mead
Co-President and Fine Arts Chair
Art is essential in my life. Receiving a scholarship to Pratt Institute, I majored in fine arts, graduating with a BFA. I studied at Queens College, then deciding to teach art professionally I explored Teachers College, later studying at China Institute and The Arts Students League.
I became WSAC’s Vice President in 2013 and now as of 2019 Co-President. I will endeavor to lead WSAC, through collaboration, toward a bright future of creative growth and opportunity for our membership, by working with our Board, listening to members, and championing interest in the growth of the Arts with our greater community.
All began when I perused the outside of a curious little Beaux-Arts building on the island at 96 St. & Broadway numerous times and finally strolled in. The work on the walls impressed me, as did members running the organization. This, adding to my desire to find a local space to exhibit, encouraged my joining WSAC in 2001. Enjoying the camaraderie of other artists, and sharing in community, led to further involvement. Asked to co-chair Fine Arts, I accepted. Numerous years later I took over as Fine Arts Chair. I’m in charge of organizing show dates, finding and guiding curators, for all Fine Arts exhibits at the gallery, as well as outside shows. I curate three to four shows each year and attend monthly Board meetings. I also collect and organize material for the WSAC Newsletter and Website. All this and painting make my life a vibrant endeavor.
I became WSAC’s Vice President in 2013 and now as of 2019 Co-President. I will endeavor to lead WSAC, through collaboration, toward a bright future of creative growth and opportunity for our membership, by working with our Board, listening to members, and championing interest in the growth of the Arts with our greater community.
All began when I perused the outside of a curious little Beaux-Arts building on the island at 96 St. & Broadway numerous times and finally strolled in. The work on the walls impressed me, as did members running the organization. This, adding to my desire to find a local space to exhibit, encouraged my joining WSAC in 2001. Enjoying the camaraderie of other artists, and sharing in community, led to further involvement. Asked to co-chair Fine Arts, I accepted. Numerous years later I took over as Fine Arts Chair. I’m in charge of organizing show dates, finding and guiding curators, for all Fine Arts exhibits at the gallery, as well as outside shows. I curate three to four shows each year and attend monthly Board meetings. I also collect and organize material for the WSAC Newsletter and Website. All this and painting make my life a vibrant endeavor.
Xenia Garamvolgyi
Vice President and Membership Chair
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I have been a member of WSAC for the last 3-years. The artists running organization impressed me with their support of its artist members and with their appreciation of the members’ artistic creativity. I have been exhibiting in group shows, in addition, for the last 2 years, I have been co-curating fine art shows twice a year. As a vice president elect, starting in September 2019, I will be looking forward to assist the co-presidents; to reach out to find new members; and to overtake miscellaneous tasks as needed to help this important organization to move forward into the next 40 years.
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Carol Rickey
Secretary and Member At Large
I had heard good things about the West Side Arts Coalition, but I never knew much about it until a friend who was curating an exhibit there a few years ago asked me to be in her show. I readily agreed, and promptly joined the organization. I am so glad I did. Since becoming a member I have been in several exhibits, each time meeting a lovely group of artists. I am always impressed with the high caliber of art work in these shows, and I enjoy the camaraderie of the other participants.
My education includes a B.F.A. from SUNY, Purchase, an M.F.A. from Greensboro, and an M.A. in Education from Hunter College. I enjoyed teaching art for the N.Y. City Board of Education for a number of years. Now that I am retired I have more time to pursue my passion—painting in oils and watercolor. In addition to painting in my home studio, I have continued to study painting at the Art Students League , where I have exhibited and won a “Best in Show” award, as well as a Merit Scholarship.I also teach watercolor classes to adults in Queens. I look forward to being on the Board of Directors as a Member at Large. I’d like to be helpful in whatever way I can such as calling members about different matters, curating shows, and welcoming new members.
Sílvia Soares Boyer
Treasurer
I have been a member of WSAC since 2012; I consider Art the Essence of Life; I knew about West Side Arts Coalition when I arrived in the USA. Being part of this non-profit is a wonderful experience! Along with my husband, Daniel C. Boyer, I have been co-curating the Fine-Arts exhibition “Dreams and Reflections” and photography exhibitions at Broadway Mall Gallery, where we had a dual exhibition. I am honored of being part of the Board of Directors since 2013, currently on the position of Treasurer. My main duties are to oversee the organization's financial administration, review procedures, financial reporting and advise the board on strategies. I am an awarded international artist, originally born in Oporto, Portugal 1974. I live in Manhattan. I received an English Degree from Cambridge University, UK and Fine Arts, Painting at Oporto Fine Arts. I am CEO of The New York Boyer Foundation. I have participated in hundreds of international exhibitions and twenty eight solo exhibitions. I also develop work in poetry, music (piano and vocals), performance, artistic nude and human figure modeling
Georgianna Grantham
Publicity Chair
As Co-Publicity Chair, I am responsible for making sure our art exhibit events are posted on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and much more, so that our receptions are successful. I also co-curator an art exhibit once a year. It is a honor to reside on the Board Of Directors as your Co-Publicity Chair.
I have been a member of WSAC for many years. I was pleased to find the 96 St. Broadway Mall was also an art gallery. The members' warmth evoked feelings of arriving home, I saw the artist I could become. I started mixed media painting and abstract painting in 2014. I'm beyond grateful to West Side Art Coalition for nurturing my creative energies, helping me to exceed my initial expectations. I thank you with every brush stroke.
I have been a member of WSAC for many years. I was pleased to find the 96 St. Broadway Mall was also an art gallery. The members' warmth evoked feelings of arriving home, I saw the artist I could become. I started mixed media painting and abstract painting in 2014. I'm beyond grateful to West Side Art Coalition for nurturing my creative energies, helping me to exceed my initial expectations. I thank you with every brush stroke.
Berik Kulmamirov
Music Chair
I am a realist & surrealist painter who is combining the visual arts with music genres for the last few years. During the nineties I was influenced by symbolism and abstraction while exploring new art techniques. Immigrating to the US with its diverse cultural landscape, has broadened my views further. Surrealism and fantasy merge with my original interest in realism making me more able to share my inner world through my art. The connection between the cultures of nomads and the inhabitants of North and South America are reflected in my paintings.
Music has been part of my life since my teenage years. A few years ago visual concepts and music came together influencing me to write songs created in a pop soul genre. I have played guitar and sung some of my favorite covers and now create my own originals. At present I have been organizing and producing music festivals and concerts. Working with American musicians and songwriters give me opportunity to improve my music skills. I am producing my first album, “Kazakh Land,” dedicated to 550 years of Kazakhstan, the land where I was born: https://berikkulmamirov.bandcamp.com/album/the-kazakh-land A few years ago I establish a music studio, New York Music Tower https://newyorkmusictower.com/music--3
I hope my music experience will be beneficial to the West Side Arts Coalition and bring success to our organization.
David Elsasser
Co-Poetry Chair
I have long gone into the Broadway Mall on weekends and admired the West Side Arts Coalition shows. And I’ve been privileged to attend, and occasionally run, a poetry reading in that great space. I have been reading poetry at open mics, and hosting readings around Manhattan, for about twenty years. Believing that poetry audiences and art audiences were mutually appreciative, and bolstered each other, I joined the WSAC, and asked the executive board to be a poetry co-chair. I really enjoy presenting poetry in the presence of rich graphic art and photography.
Carolyn Reus
Co-Poetry Chair
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I have been a member of the West Side Arts Coalition since 2006 and a Board member since 2009. I curated photography shows and exhibited my own photography since 2012. As a Board Member, I became Acting Poetry Chair after the passing of Arthur Bitterman, who led the free monthly poetry readings and weekly workshops at Riverside Library. I coordinate with WSAC curators for poetry readings during exhibitions. I also coordinate with the music chair when the Riverside Poets are invited to read along with the musicians. Since 2018, when David Elsassar joined as a member, we both co-chair the poetry. He brings featured readers to the open mic presentation. I continue to report on readings with featured poets, workshops and anthology publications from the Riverside Poets, led by Anthony Moscini. |
Robyn Gecht
Webmaster
A certfied Graphic and Digital Designer, I am a professional Photographer
as well. After attending Cleveland Institute of Art on scholarship for Graphic
Design, I received a professional recommendation to attend Parson's School of
Design here in Manhattan. After finishing at Parson's in 2004, I began to
pursue a more serious freelance career.
My creative work ranges from website design to business card design to black and white photography exhibitions. I enjoy shooting weddings and other types of festive events. I have workexperience on the Photography Staff of Tavern on the Green and was the
Newsletter Editor for Mosaic Outdoor Club for several years. After Joining
West Side Arts Coalition in 2013, I have participated in and curated several of the Exhibitions at the Broadway Mall. I look forward to becoming more involved as the WebMaster of WSAC, and to pursuing a more formal career in photography and digital design.
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