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Dave Clark (Executive Director) and Lisa Piper (Board Member): The couple started in the corporate world doing management, sales, and marketing before making a life change to owning a cafe in Minneapolis (where they lived at the time). As they were managing this venture, they expanded their interest in and their collection of local art. Their love for art found new and fertile ground once they moved to Pittsboro where they opened a bed and breakfast and cafe. The couple learned about the southern folk and outsider art tradition and began to collect more art in that vein before being introduced to Jim Massey. Jim found kindred spirits in Dave and Lisa and gifted them his collection of  his 400 pieces of art. They are enthused to make this collection available for public viewing and to create a space for all to learn and grow their own passion for art culture and its history.

Gilda McDaniel, Chair: Gilda has worked with the Fearrington Folk Art show for many years, becoming linked with artists throughout the country. She has been the Special Events manager at Fearrington for over 20 years, a member of the Chatham Arts Council and lead coordinator of Clydefest folk art festival.  She is also a board member of Arts North Carolina.

JJ Bauer, Secretary: Visual Resources Curator in the Art Department at UNC-Chapel Hill, has worked with multiple public and private art collections, resident of Chatham County, proud to have met Vollis Simpson and talked to him about airplanes.

Tammy Phillips, Treasurer: Bookkeeper

Scott Marlow: Executive Director of the Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA, a non-profit organization based in Pittsboro, NC. Scott previously directed RAFI’s Farm Sustainability program, providing in-depth financial counseling to farmers in crisis, education on disaster assistance programs and access to credit, and addressing the needs of mid-scale farmers who are increasing the sustainability of their farms by transitioning to higher-value specialty markets. Scott’s specialty is financial infrastructure, including access to credit and risk management for value-added producers.

Kathie Russell: Attorney at Russell Goetcheus & Assoc. and folk art lover

Beth Budd:

Emeritus Board Members

Maggi Neufer:  a local artist interested in the grassroots aspect of this collection and its contribution to art and art education for Pittsboro and Chatham County.   Her organization and project management skills, learned through years in the academic and medical fields, contribute to the progress of the project.

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