Contact:
Nathan Driskell
(325) 673-4587
marketing@thegracemuseum.org

New development director announced at The Grace Museum

ABILENE, Texas (May 27, 2010) – After a dedicated search, The Grace Museum has selected Celia Danforth Gesting as its new Director of Development. Gesting will assume the post on June 28. Executive Director Dr. Francine Carraro made the announcement at the recent meeting of The Grace’s Board of Trustees.

“Gesting has had extensive background and success in fundraising for non-profits, and has excellent qualifications to assume this position with key responsibilities in fundraising, grant writing, membership, special events and marketing,” Carraro said. “Her expertise will be a great asset to The Grace.”

Gesting knows Abilene well, having served as Executive Director of the Abilene Philharmonic Association from 2002 to 2007, and as Development Director at KACU Public Radio. In accepting the position, Gesting said, "I am very humbled to receive the opportunity to work for The Grace Museum. To be working in support of her great mission is an honor. I'm so pleased to see the progress The Grace has made in the last few years under the most able guidance of Judy Godfrey and now with the very accomplished Francine Carraro. These are very exciting times to join the team of staff, board, members and volunteers."

Gesting said she is very familiar with The Grace Museum.

"Years ago I had the great honor of serving on the board of The Grace and will always see her has one of my favorite causes,” Gesting said. “I look forward to being a part of the very bright future for this important member of the arts community in Abilene and in Texas.”

Carraro said the board and staff are looking forward to welcoming Gesting, and to her return to her home town. Gesting adds, “I also look forward to being back in dear old Abilene. Joe and I left many friends behind when we moved to the Pacific Northwest and it will be great to come home again."

While welcoming Gesting to The Grace, Carraro said the board and staff also wish Courtney Vletas every success in her new position as Grants Director at the Community Foundation of Abilene. Vletas served admirably as Director of Development at The Grace for a total of five years.

The Grace Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and houses a children’s museum, history museum, and art museum. At 55,000 square feet, The Grace Museum is the tenth largest general museum in Texas, and is the cornerstone of cultural arts and education in West Texas. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Grace Museum is a non-profit organization, and the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs are supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the City of Abilene, Taylor County, and the Downtown Revitalization Program of the Tax Increment Finance District.

The Grace Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday. Admission is free Thursday evening after 5 p.m.