Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Moscatelli.
Hi Mary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Bio:
Mary Moscatelli is the CEO of the Venice Art Center, a position which she has held since June 2009. Her professional job experience includes 28 years of management and administrative experience. Before working for the Venice Art Center, Mary developed and instituted the day treatment program at the Center for Independent Living in Sarasota and Manatee County. She also facilitated the Brain Injury Support Group for Sarasota and Manatee County. Mary moved to Florida from Duluth, MN, in 2006. She served as the Executive Director of Ariel View, a residential facility for mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals in Duluth, Minnesota, for 12 years. Mary has over 18 years of experience working with individuals with all different disabilities and has a passion for people. In her current position as CEO of the Venice Art Center, Mary has increased membership, classes offered, exhibitions, fundraising events, and visitors from 12,000 to 46,000 annually. She has partnered with many for-profit and nonprofit organizations to help make Venice and Sarasota County a cultural destination. Mary has participated in public arts projects, which she is exceptionally proud of: the Sea Venice Project, FantaSea Venice. Mary served on the Public Art Advisory Board for Venice for 10 years and currently serves on the Citizens Advisory Board for the city of Venice. To sum it up, Mary has a passion for people, art, and community. She loves her city (Venice) and her Sarasota County community.
I am also a proud mother of a 22-year-old daughter, Mila, who is my whole world. I am also incredibly grateful for the support of my love, Patrick. I love spending time with both of them. I am thankful for the instructors, staff, and board I get to work with. I am lucky to work in a job that I love, surrounded by creativity and fantastic people.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have often struggled with finding time to create my own art. Balancing time with family and work, and dealing with personal challenges, has been a difficult task.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am very proud of the center and the growth we have experienced. I am very proud of the two public arts projects and look forward to another coming soon. I was able to paint one of the mermaids myself, and I love that it went to a beautiful home to be appreciated for years to come. I am proud of the community of artists and art enthusiasts that we have built here in Venice. Being surrounded by art and creativity every day is a blessing. I love my job!
I am incredibly proud that the VAC has become a community hub. We partner with everyone, and we love to host other people’s events.
About VAC: The Venice Art Center (VAC) is the premier Art Center in the heart of Venice, Florida. VAC has been enhancing the lives of year-round, seasonal residents, and tourists for over 70 years. Venice Art Center is an art and cultural destination, offering a strong sense of community, featuring venues for the display of art and culture, hosting concerts and events, collaborating to create citywide public arts projects, as well as offering year-round classes, workshops, and demonstrations for adults and children in virtually every visual art medium.
The Art Center has a membership of over 1300 art enthusiasts and has a base of over 200 dedicated volunteers. The Art Center also offers over 500 year-round classes for adults and summer art camps for children. There are 12 unique exhibits annually, and the opening receptions are free to the public. The gallery is open for additional viewing. Admission is free. Our goal is to make art open and available to the community and to enhance and improve the quality of the lives of those living in the community through exposure to all forms of art. We are collaborating with other agencies to support each other and strengthen the community. We support a large community of local artists by offering them many opportunities to express their creativity, display their work, and give them the platform to teach others. This, in turn, benefits the community at large.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have always admired the strong women in our community and have bonded with friends in leadership whom I can bounce ideas off and be supportive as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://veniceartcenter.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100060708910834
