Contact:
Dan Carpenter
(325) 673-4587
Marketing@thegracemuseum.org

     Glenda Ravanelli                Amanda Watson                   Bonni Littleton                 Doris Reubush

The Grace Museum announces Volunteers of the Year

Abilene, TX (April 8, 2008) - The Grace Museum announced Volunteers of the Year April 1.

The selections were made public at an annual volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Museum. Three categories of volunteer were recognized, as well as a special award category for a volunteer who went above and beyond for arts education.

The Volunteer of the Year is Glenda Ravanelli. Glenda began her volunteer work with The Grace by being part of a team of retired teachers to organize, produce and plan the curriculum for The Grace Museum's Education Center History Trunks. She has served as a member of the Museum's Board of Trustees for the past two years, and has been an officer of Los Aficionados, The Grace's volunteer support organization for the last four years.

The Docent of the Year is Doris Ruebush. Doris is known throughout The Grace as a very soft-spoken tour guide who has charmed students of all ages with her love of learning. Doris has given more than 75 tours in the past three years.

In addition, all Docents are asked to attend monthly training, and are encouraged to attend all Grace functions, including gallery talks and lectures series. Some Docents also volunteer to assist in the installation of exhibits.

The Outreach Docent of the Year is Amanda Watson. Amanda, a retired math teacher, has volunteered more than 700 hours over the past three years to teach art classes in AISD. She is best known for her enthusiastic approach to everything she does.

A special Volunteer Appreciation Award was also presented to Bonni Littleton, who was recognized for donating many hours of her time this spring by supervising the Art Outreach Program.

The Grace Museum is open from 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.

For more information, call 325-673-4587.

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The Grace Museum's exhibitions and educational programs are supported in part by grants from 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 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1909, The Hotel Grace served as a rest stop for railway travelers. The mission-style building was renovated and re-opened in 1992 as The Grace Cultural Center. The Grace Museum , a non-profit organization, now serves as a home to a Children's Museum, History Museum , and Art Museum. At 55,000 sq. ft., The Grace Museum is the 10th largest general museum in Texas . The Grace Museum is the cornerstone of cultural arts and education in West Texas .