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Northwest Arkansas Volunteers Graduate from Crystal Bridges’ Guide Training

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