Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Pelham Art Center.

Pelham Art Center announces four new members to its Board of Directors. New board members Michelle Acosta, Allison Douglass, Jennifer Rohr, and Paula Wood each bring a unique set of skills and experience across a variety of sectors. All four women share a passion for the arts and community engagement in Pelham and beyond. Outgoing Pelham Art Center Board Chair Lisa Koonce and Board President Paula McKeever said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle, Allison, Jennifer and Paula to the Pelham Art Center Board of Directors. Each brings deep experience and engagement with the arts and nonprofit governance which has already proved to be a great asset at a critical time for our organization. It  has been an honor for us both to serve on the Pelham Art Center Board for the past 7 years, working alongside our truly dynamic staff and fellow board and gallery advisory committee members to steward this beloved community resource. It has been both rewarding and inspiring  to delve into the Art Center’s rich history, to participate in its continuing development and impact, and to play a role in steering a venerable institution into its next 50 years. We are thrilled to welcome our new executive team: Jay Anderson, Jennifer Hawks Bland, Kate Pringle and Jennifer Rohr. We are incredibly grateful for their continued thoughtful and dedicated leadership at this exciting juncture for the Pelham Art Center.”

Pelham Art Center welcomes the following board members in 2021:

Michelle Acosta currently serves as a Principal Investigator with the City University of New York, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy in New York City, among other affiliations including the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research and the Dartmouth Center for Technology and Behavioral Health. Throughout her career, Dr. Acosta’s research activities have focused on developing and evaluating substance abuse interventions for vulnerable populations. Dr. Acosta enjoys the outdoors, a good art show, and spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog.

Allison Douglass has been a resident of Pelham for 18 years. A graduate of Sweet Briar College, she is a former publishing executive, turned freelance marketer, turned antiques and arts appraiser. Past involvement in the Pelham community includes serving on the Board of the Friends of the Pelham Public Library and the Executive Board of the Junior League of Pelham. In addition, she is a former community volunteer on the Siwanoy School Site Based Council and the Pelham BOE Athletic Facilities committee. She and her husband William are on their third home in Pelham and have 3 children: Kate (19), Abby (17) and Will (12).

Jennifer Rohr is a non-profit and tax lawyer whose professional work has focused on low-income housing tax credits, education, health care, and transactional issues. She is an avid volunteer – preparing tax returns for low-income and elderly clients; working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Pelham; serving as an officer in the PTA; and providing oversight of scientific research as a non-scientist community member. Jen spends much of her free time visiting museums and galleries.

Paula Wood is a graduate of Bates College and Maine College of Art. Born in Brooklyn and a lifelong resident of NYC and Westchester, she has maintained an art practice over many years in painting, collage and installation. In addition to her studio practice, she has also worked as a graphic and web designer, a set designer, and an art instructor. She contributes to our local community by serving on the boards of the Pelham Music Festival and Progressive Women of Pelham, as well as a recent term on the Advisory Board of Concordia Conservatory. Passionate about art and social change, Paula is excited to join the Pelham Art Center.