STAFF

We are now searching for our next Executive Director. If you are interested, please email your resume to Craig Friedrich at craigfriedrich13@gmail.com by October 20, 2023.

View the Executive Director Job Description here.

Joann Vaughan, Interim Executive Director • jvaughan@mdfedart.org

Well, I’m back at the best job I ever had – at least for a while!

First, I know that I join the entire MFA community in wishing Ann and her family well as her daughter Flora pursues her love of the sea! In a few years I am sure that we all will be watching Flora sail in the Olympics and the network will feature Ann and her husband Andrew in an “up close and personal” feature. It’s everyone’s dream to pursue a passion!

And I guess that’s why I’m back. When I served as executive director from 2008 to 2022, I was constantly inspired watching our member artists pursue their passions – in a variety of mediums. The chance to work with people who consistently challenge themselves with their own creativity is exciting, motivating and rare.

When the MFA Board President asked me to come back on an interim basis while the Board conducted a search for the new ED, I was both flattered and intrigued. As my husband said, “Why wouldn’t you go back.”

So I’m here at Circle Gallery working with everyone – and especially Exhibitions Manager Laura Carty who is the mainstay for the organization as we sail through the change. And I’m back – for a while. I hope you stop in to say hello because, like Brigadoon, I’ll disappear in the mist mid-January – or earlier – when someone else gets the chance to have the best job they’ll ever have.

Laura Carty, Exhibitions Manager • exhibitions@mdfedart.org

Karen Ricketts, President • krickettsmdfedart@gmail.com

Karen Ricketts is president of the Maryland Federation of Art and has served as a board member for 3 years. As a board member, Karen chaired the Resource Development committee and has supported many fundraising activities.

Karen holds an arts degree from Mary Washington University and began her career with a private multimedia studio arts business. However, her career journey would lead her to a 30-year career in information technology. During these years, Karen rose through the ranks from Programmer to Project Management and on to various leadership roles. In 2020, Karen retired as a Regional Vice President with Salesforce.com.

While the busy pace of raising young daughters and managing a corporate career interrupted Karen’s artistic pursuit – her love and appreciation of the arts has always remained at her core.

Karen resides in Annapolis with her husband. They enjoy the Annapolis boating lifestyle and spending time with their two young grandchildren.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Karen Ricketts, President

Craig Friedrich, Operations Vice President

Emil Petruncio, Artist, PR & Programming Vice President

Morgan Dwyer, Artist, Development Vice President

Stephanie Sams, International Monetary Fund, Treasurer

Hope Stewart, Secretary

Directors

Carolyn Andros, Artist

Sharon Arsenault, Exhibition Committee Chair

David Diaz, Artist, Exhibition Committee Chair

Joseph Dickey, (Emeritus), Artist, Johns Hopkins University

Patrice Drago, Artist

Michelle Fauntleroy, Membership Committee

Richard Issacman, Artist, Technology Committee

Craig Newcomb, Brightview Senior Living, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee Chair

Wil Scott, Artist, Exhibitions Committee

Martha Spencer, Global Head, International Baccalaureate Educator Network & School Delivery, Exhibitions Committee

Jen Sterling, Artist, PR & Programing Committee

Jason Vaughan, Architectural Historian, Graphic Designer, Historic Preservationist, Baltimore National Heritage Area, PR & Programing Committee

Michele Ward, T. Rowe Price, Investment Committee chair