Chris Chapman is a well known area artist specializing in pastel and a member of the esteemed OAK Group of artists, California Art Club, Pastel Society of the West Coast and Sierra Pastel Society. She is also on the advisory council for the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and, along with husband John Iwerks, was the first preserve manager at Arroyo Hondo Preserve in Gaviota, where she created a Visitors Center and interpretive signage, organized plein air fundraisers, among many other projects. Chapman is an ideal fit for the Wildling whose tagline is “where art and nature meet,” and will be the new chair of their collections and exhibitions committee.
Kathy Logan of Santa Barbara has been a volunteer of the Wildling events committee for two years and was a docent at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for seven years. Her professional experience includes being an artist representative and owner of Art Connection, an art consulting and brokering company. She is a co-partner in Joji Bags, a company formed to support a women’s weaving cooperative in Guatemala. She is also on the board of the Modoc Preserve and Xela Aid Partnerships for Self-Reliance. Logan will chair the Wildling’s events committee.
Richard Nagler is a retired sales and marketing executive from the health care industry and is an active member of the Santa Ynez Valley community. He is a board member of the Valley Foundation where he runs the scholarship program, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and the Cottage Hospital Foundation. He is also past president of the Los Olivos Rotary Club and a past board member of the Tranciones de Guatemala which makes custom wheelchairs and prosthetics for those in need.
Marilyn Parke is a CPA at MacFarlane, Faletti & Co., specializing in nonprofits and was the former CFO at the Community Environmental Council. She earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance and a JD degree from Louisiana State University. She is on the board of Art From Scrap in Santa Barbara. Parke is now serving as Treasurer for the Wildling and chair of their finance committee.
The Wilding is delighted to add such energetic, talented and community-minded individuals to its board during this busy time in its history when it is building out a new facility space in Solvang.
The Wildling Museum, where art and nature meet, offers visitors a unique perspective on the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Through the eyes of artists, education and field experiences, guests can renew their relationship with the wilderness and understand its fragile nature – hopefully leaving more committed toward ensuring those spaces remain for future generations. For more information, to volunteer and/or join as a member to support this important local arts and nature institution please visit www.wildlingmuseum.org or call 805-688-1082.