Dec 15, 2011 BENTONVILLE, Ark., December 15, 2011 More than 60 volunteers from Northwest Arkansas have recently completed training to become Gallery and Trail guides at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The program, which includes a full year of classes with museum curators and educators, prepares the volunteers to answer questions and provide insight for museum guests about all that Crystal Bridges has to offer. Gallery guides have been involved in training for three hours each week, three weeks of every month for a full year. Training includes information on the museum’s history and mission, general art history, and information about specific artists and works in the museum’s collection. Trail guides have a similar schedule, with an emphasis on the flora and fauna of the museum’s Ozark landscape. In addition to training about their specific area, guides also receive training from the museum’s education team on how to elicit thoughts and responses from visitors and various ways to help them engage with the art and the landscape. “There has been an overwhelming response to our call for volunteers. This community has been unbelievably willing to share their time with us,” said Eve Rosin, coordinator of guided tours. “The Gallery and Trail guides have dedicated over 8,000 combined hours to this program. Their commitment exemplifies what this museum and community are all about.” A complete list of graduating trail and gallery guides is attached. Additional opportunities to volunteer at Crystal Bridges are available. To become a volunteer, interested individuals should complete a volunteer application, undergo a routine background check and attend a general volunteer orientation at which they will learn more about specific volunteer opportunities, training requirements and job descriptions. Four volunteer orientation sessions have been scheduled for the next two months: 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13; 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3; 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11; and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Application forms and additional information are available online or by calling 479-418-5734. Graduating Trail and Gallery Guides Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art December, 2011 Bella Vista Joanne Blount Ellen Brennan Heidi Carlsen-Rogers Shelby Chandler Laura Fleetwood Marjorie Goff Mary Beth Haas Allyn Haase Camille Hatcher Rose Hofer Sharon Horwart Jim Jensen Garry Lee Elaine Rooney Mary Seubert Robin Smith John Spurgeon Paul Stewart Jean Urban Sonya Webster Freda Whitaker Bentonville Marinell Adair Ed Adair Lowell Collins Jerene Cross Holly Crowe Susan Delacruz Jeri Dockery Daniel Feder Leigh Freeze Laura Marie Rivera Barbara-Lynn Rozenboom Kimberly Seay Gail Slagle Steve Slagle Nancy Traynor Erin Valentine Jimmy Willis Eureka Springs Glen Sims Fayetteville Carol Eaton Michael Evans Linda Leavell Ann Rosso Springdale Larry Cooper Garfield Fran Taylor Rebekah Welty-Ford Lowell Deanne Mayer Rogers Kathie Chambers Diane Gately Joanna Mallett Patti McNitt Mary Myers Ashley Pointer Kim Ratcliff Linda Switzer Linda Tonkinson Mechel Wall Dave Williams Deborah Wright Barbara Youree Siloam Springs Hope Johnstone
