Jane Macan, Secretary

A native of MA, Jane moved south to PA for college. She and her husband Bill reared their two children in the Philadelphia suburbs. He practiced law and Jane did the usual "volunteer career" things until she bought a yarn shop in Haverford, PA in 1987. Twenty years later, retirement and more time in the Valley began and starting last July Jane and Bill were happy to wait out COVID here in Warren. Jane joined the Salvation Farms and Rotary boards and runs the Mountain Gardeners' June plant sale. She now also serves as President of MRVArts.

Jean Sharry, President

After visiting the Valley for the first time in 2000 to ski with their four sons, Jean and her husband Jack promptly bought a home in Warren Village where they spend time with their sons, their partners and two wonderful grandchildren. Jean is a potter and a member at Blockhouse Studio in Waitsfield, a photographer, a knitter and a strong proponent of artists and makers, especially in the Mad River Valley. Having served on the boards of several non-profits over the years including at her sons’ schools, as well as on town committees, she now serves as Vice President of the MRVArts Board and Director of Education and is working on expanding outreach to artists, makers, students, teachers and art lovers.

Sam Talbot-Kelly, Artistic & Executive Director

Sam Talbot-Kelly is a contemporary interdisciplinary artist, curator, and arts educator with a strong interest in exhibition practice, community engagement, and the social impact of art. She holds a BFA and MFA in Studio Art, along with certification in Museum Studies from Northwestern University.

For more than ten years, Sam has developed a multidisciplinary practice encompassing conceptual garment installations, drawing, exhibition design, and arts education. Her work has been exhibited internationally, nationally, and locally. She is passionate about the ways art can connect people, inspire dialogue, and deepen relationships between communities and the natural world.

Sam believes that art education extends beyond school walls, that creative practice extends beyond the studio, and that arts organizations can serve as places for collaboration, discovery, and collective empowerment. At Mad Arts, she brings her experience as an artist, curator, educator, and community builder to create meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences throughout the Mad River Valley.

Through exhibitions, programming, teaching, and community partnerships, Sam works to make contemporary art accessible, engaging, and relevant for both residents and visitors. She is excited to continue learning from and contributing to the vibrant creative community of the Valley.

Dana Donaldson, Vice- President and Director of Fundraising

Dana and her husband John have lived in the Valley since 2001. They came for the outdoor sports and fell in love with the people and the beauty of the place. Dana joined the art scene early and spent many years working on the Opera Festival. Her 30 year background in interior design gave her an appreciation for the art that is created here in the Valley. Dana loves to raise money and works for many other non-profits in Vermont.

Bonnie Barnes

Bonnie Barnes lived and worked in the Philadelphia area until she moved two years ago permanently to the family home on Bragg Hill. She and her husband, George, raised their three children on a small farm in Chester County and when they grew up and left home and George retired from the law, they moved to center city Philadelphia, until George’s death. During their farm years Bonnie earned a MA in English and American literature, from Villanova University and later a MS in Educational Psychology from the University Of Pennsylvania. She also studied and trained in family therapy at Philadelphia Child Guidance, connected to the University. She was a psychologist and an admissions director at a small private school and started her own business in school and college placement called Academic Directions. After moving to Philadelphia, Bonnie joined the Friends’ Board at the Curtis Institute of Music, sat as chair on the board of the Center of Emerging Visual Artists, and sat on the Boards of Planned Parenthood and the Rosenbach Museum and Library. Now she is very happy to be involved in Mad River Valley Arts.