Meet the Board Members for 2024-2025
KRISTAN H. McKINSEY, President and Webmaster
McKinsey joined the board in 2016 and is currently President and Webmaster. Her career as a curator began at the Saint Louis Art Museum, then she was Curator of Collections at the Evanston (IL) Historical Society. She moved to Peoria in 1996 as Vice-President of Collections and Exhibitions at Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences. She was the founding curator of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. McKinsey’s community participation includes service on the Peoria Civic Center Fine Arts Commission, the Peoria Public Library’s Community Relations Committee, the board of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, and the board of the State Historical Society of Illinois, for which she contributes a regular column on women artists to their magazine, Heritage. McKinsey was 2023 ArtsPartner of the Year and 2024 Arts Leader by the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation. Since retiring in 2016, she has been Director of the Illinois Women Artists Project at Bradley University in the Department of Art and Design, where she was an adjunct instructor.
A native of Missouri, McKinsey grew up in India. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Swarthmore College and an M.A. in Early American Culture from the Winterthur Program/University of Delaware. She worked as financial analyst and studied modern dance. McKinsey’s husband, Bennett Johnson, a retired architect and a photographer, is a former board member and President of FAS.
McKinsey joined the board in 2016 and is currently President and Webmaster. Her career as a curator began at the Saint Louis Art Museum, then she was Curator of Collections at the Evanston (IL) Historical Society. She moved to Peoria in 1996 as Vice-President of Collections and Exhibitions at Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences. She was the founding curator of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. McKinsey’s community participation includes service on the Peoria Civic Center Fine Arts Commission, the Peoria Public Library’s Community Relations Committee, the board of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, and the board of the State Historical Society of Illinois, for which she contributes a regular column on women artists to their magazine, Heritage. McKinsey was 2023 ArtsPartner of the Year and 2024 Arts Leader by the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation. Since retiring in 2016, she has been Director of the Illinois Women Artists Project at Bradley University in the Department of Art and Design, where she was an adjunct instructor.
A native of Missouri, McKinsey grew up in India. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Swarthmore College and an M.A. in Early American Culture from the Winterthur Program/University of Delaware. She worked as financial analyst and studied modern dance. McKinsey’s husband, Bennett Johnson, a retired architect and a photographer, is a former board member and President of FAS.
WENDY BOWLES, Vice-President and Receptions Chair
Bowles joined the Fine Arts Society Board in 2019 and is currently Vice President and the chair of the Receptions Committee. A native Peorian, she is a lifelong volunteer in her community. While raising her three daughters--two of whom became medical doctors and one an anthropologist--Bowles was, among other things, a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday school teacher, a grade school and high school PTO president, and a Picture Person in the Lakeview Museum program. She held several chairmanships and served on the executive committee of the Junior League and worked with the Salvation Army Auxiliary. As president of the Peoria Women's Civic Federation, Bowles championed preservation of the landscaping around the Peoria County courthouse which the Federation was instrumental in securing when the courthouse was newly built.
Bowles studied biochemistry at Bradley University and worked in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded lab at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. She worked with an NIH researcher doing basic research relating brain function to immune response.
Bowles feels very fortunate to have been born in this Midwestern city of so much natural beauty. Living in Peoria, along with her participation in the Fine Arts Society, has afforded her many opportunities to learn and be creative in her life.
Bowles joined the Fine Arts Society Board in 2019 and is currently Vice President and the chair of the Receptions Committee. A native Peorian, she is a lifelong volunteer in her community. While raising her three daughters--two of whom became medical doctors and one an anthropologist--Bowles was, among other things, a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday school teacher, a grade school and high school PTO president, and a Picture Person in the Lakeview Museum program. She held several chairmanships and served on the executive committee of the Junior League and worked with the Salvation Army Auxiliary. As president of the Peoria Women's Civic Federation, Bowles championed preservation of the landscaping around the Peoria County courthouse which the Federation was instrumental in securing when the courthouse was newly built.
Bowles studied biochemistry at Bradley University and worked in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded lab at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. She worked with an NIH researcher doing basic research relating brain function to immune response.
Bowles feels very fortunate to have been born in this Midwestern city of so much natural beauty. Living in Peoria, along with her participation in the Fine Arts Society, has afforded her many opportunities to learn and be creative in her life.
MARTHA BOND, Treasurer
Bond joined the Fine Arts Society in 2017, shortly after her retirement. She joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and is Treasurer. She served as Membership Chair for two years, and serves on the Community Engagement Committee. Bond migrated the management the Society’s finances to a computer-based platform and assists in planning and leading bus trips.
Born in Evansville, Indiana, Bond spent her grade school years in Hamilton, Ohio, before her family moved to Peoria in 1963. She graduated from Peoria High School and then the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where she studied English and Anthropology.
Bond worked for a time in banking. She and her husband, Dr. William Bond, married in 1978 and spent three years in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University’s Eye Center. He established his practice in Pekin, Illinois. She was active in the practice from the beginning, taking on the role of Comptroller to handle financial matters. She earned certification as an Ophthalmic Coding Specialist in order to monitor the billing and insurance functions.
Bond and her husband, who retired recently after 43 years of practice, still reside in Pekin and look forward to traveling. They raised three sons and chave five grandchildren who they enjoy immensely. Bond likes to cook, read, quilt and do paper crafting.
Bond joined the Fine Arts Society in 2017, shortly after her retirement. She joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and is Treasurer. She served as Membership Chair for two years, and serves on the Community Engagement Committee. Bond migrated the management the Society’s finances to a computer-based platform and assists in planning and leading bus trips.
Born in Evansville, Indiana, Bond spent her grade school years in Hamilton, Ohio, before her family moved to Peoria in 1963. She graduated from Peoria High School and then the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where she studied English and Anthropology.
Bond worked for a time in banking. She and her husband, Dr. William Bond, married in 1978 and spent three years in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University’s Eye Center. He established his practice in Pekin, Illinois. She was active in the practice from the beginning, taking on the role of Comptroller to handle financial matters. She earned certification as an Ophthalmic Coding Specialist in order to monitor the billing and insurance functions.
Bond and her husband, who retired recently after 43 years of practice, still reside in Pekin and look forward to traveling. They raised three sons and chave five grandchildren who they enjoy immensely. Bond likes to cook, read, quilt and do paper crafting.
BETTY JANE "BJ" LAWRENCE, Recording Secretary
Lawrence retired from Bradley University in 2021 as an Emerita Faculty. Her 40-year career there began as Lecturer in the Department of Communication teaching the core required public speaking course and was Academic Advisor for hundreds of Speech and Advertising students. She was appointed Associate Dean of the Bradley University Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts and served in that role until retirement. Lawrence created and directed the Bradley Hollywood Semester. She also taught in Vienna, Austria, and Dublin, Ireland.
Lawrence's community volunteerism includes serving as president of the Peoria Symphony Guild, appointment to the national Volunteer Council for the League of American Orchestras, co-chairing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, assisting with the WTVP Auction and with St. Jude, and the Junior League. She was president of the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association. In 2021, the Mayor of Peoria appointed Lawrence to the Public Arts Advisory Commission. The Fine Arts Society of Peoria became her center of focus in 2022.
Lawrence earned her B.S. in Speech and Political Science from Mississippi University for Women and her M.S. in Rhetoric and Public Address from Eastern Illinois University. She and her husband, Henry (Hank), were married for 48 years prior to his death. She has two grown children, one granddaughter, and one cat.
Lawrence retired from Bradley University in 2021 as an Emerita Faculty. Her 40-year career there began as Lecturer in the Department of Communication teaching the core required public speaking course and was Academic Advisor for hundreds of Speech and Advertising students. She was appointed Associate Dean of the Bradley University Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts and served in that role until retirement. Lawrence created and directed the Bradley Hollywood Semester. She also taught in Vienna, Austria, and Dublin, Ireland.
Lawrence's community volunteerism includes serving as president of the Peoria Symphony Guild, appointment to the national Volunteer Council for the League of American Orchestras, co-chairing the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, assisting with the WTVP Auction and with St. Jude, and the Junior League. She was president of the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association. In 2021, the Mayor of Peoria appointed Lawrence to the Public Arts Advisory Commission. The Fine Arts Society of Peoria became her center of focus in 2022.
Lawrence earned her B.S. in Speech and Political Science from Mississippi University for Women and her M.S. in Rhetoric and Public Address from Eastern Illinois University. She and her husband, Henry (Hank), were married for 48 years prior to his death. She has two grown children, one granddaughter, and one cat.
PATRICIA "PAT" WILD FRANZEN, Facebook Manager
Franzen has lived in Germantown Hills since 1994. She joined the Fine Arts Society of Peoria in 2019 and served on the board since January 2021.
A career educator, Franzen’s science/English/reading teaching experience spans middle school through 15 years as adjunct faculty in Bradley University’s science department. She has been a curriculum developer since 1988, serving as lead writer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Brookfield Zoo, and Wilderness Classroom at the Shedd Aquarium. She continues with Fermilab as an instructor. She was Director of Content Development for Virtual Learning Systems in Chicago from 2000 to 2006.
Franzen was a member of session in the Presbyterian Church USA and directed many vacation Bible school and summer camp experiences. A 57-year member of P.E.O., she chaired the 2007 Convention of Illinois State Chapter (ISC) and was President of ISC in 2014. In 2015, she joined the P.E.O. International Leadership Team, serving as chair of the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship from 2017 to 2019. She is a board member of Peoria Wilds, a land conservancy organization, a Jubilee State Park Prairie Dawg, and an assistant scout master with Troop 178 in Morton. She was awarded her Wood Badge beads in early 2024 and is a Brotherhood member of Order of the Arrow.
Franzen enjoyed a “spectacularly happy” childhood in the lakes and forests of far northern Wisconsin. Painting and drawing were her childhood passions. A graduate of the University of Dubuque with a double major in biology and English, she earned her M.Ed. from National Louis University. Franzen and her husband Dick enjoy time with their three sons’ families, including five beautiful grandchildren.
Franzen has lived in Germantown Hills since 1994. She joined the Fine Arts Society of Peoria in 2019 and served on the board since January 2021.
A career educator, Franzen’s science/English/reading teaching experience spans middle school through 15 years as adjunct faculty in Bradley University’s science department. She has been a curriculum developer since 1988, serving as lead writer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Brookfield Zoo, and Wilderness Classroom at the Shedd Aquarium. She continues with Fermilab as an instructor. She was Director of Content Development for Virtual Learning Systems in Chicago from 2000 to 2006.
Franzen was a member of session in the Presbyterian Church USA and directed many vacation Bible school and summer camp experiences. A 57-year member of P.E.O., she chaired the 2007 Convention of Illinois State Chapter (ISC) and was President of ISC in 2014. In 2015, she joined the P.E.O. International Leadership Team, serving as chair of the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship from 2017 to 2019. She is a board member of Peoria Wilds, a land conservancy organization, a Jubilee State Park Prairie Dawg, and an assistant scout master with Troop 178 in Morton. She was awarded her Wood Badge beads in early 2024 and is a Brotherhood member of Order of the Arrow.
Franzen enjoyed a “spectacularly happy” childhood in the lakes and forests of far northern Wisconsin. Painting and drawing were her childhood passions. A graduate of the University of Dubuque with a double major in biology and English, she earned her M.Ed. from National Louis University. Franzen and her husband Dick enjoy time with their three sons’ families, including five beautiful grandchildren.
RICHARD "RICK" GENTRY, Hospitality Chair
Gentry came to Peoria in1969 to enter the private practice of law. After retiring in 2017 he, and his wife Judi joined the Fine Arts Society; he joined the Board of Directors in 2021 as chair of the Dinners Committee and currently serves as chair of the Hospitality Committee. On occasion, he has consulted on possible legal questions.
Gentry was an active volunteer for the Heart of Illinois United Way for 50 years, serving on the Allocations committee, as Vice President of Allocations, and on the Board of Directors. He received the HOI United Way's “Hoot” Gibson volunteer service award in 2000. He has served as president of the Northside Optimist Club, and board member and President of Family Core. He founded the Frosty 5K road race to benefit FamilyCore 25 years ago. Gentry received the Heart of the Family Award from the agency in 2018.
Gentry grew up in the Beverly Hills neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. He received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan in 1966 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois in 1969. He served on various committees of the Peoria County and Illinois State Bar Associations. He and his wife Judi between them have three children and eight grandchildren.
Gentry came to Peoria in1969 to enter the private practice of law. After retiring in 2017 he, and his wife Judi joined the Fine Arts Society; he joined the Board of Directors in 2021 as chair of the Dinners Committee and currently serves as chair of the Hospitality Committee. On occasion, he has consulted on possible legal questions.
Gentry was an active volunteer for the Heart of Illinois United Way for 50 years, serving on the Allocations committee, as Vice President of Allocations, and on the Board of Directors. He received the HOI United Way's “Hoot” Gibson volunteer service award in 2000. He has served as president of the Northside Optimist Club, and board member and President of Family Core. He founded the Frosty 5K road race to benefit FamilyCore 25 years ago. Gentry received the Heart of the Family Award from the agency in 2018.
Gentry grew up in the Beverly Hills neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. He received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan in 1966 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois in 1969. He served on various committees of the Peoria County and Illinois State Bar Associations. He and his wife Judi between them have three children and eight grandchildren.
DAVID GREGORY, Program Chair
A resident of Peoria since 2009, Gregory joined the Fine Arts Society in 2018 and served as Hospitality Chair for three years.
Born in Canton, Illinois, Gregory studied Architecture and Fine Art at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has enjoyed a 50-year career as an artist, creating more than 4,500 paintings, most of which hang in public and private collections throughout this country and abroad. His work has been juried into numerous national and international exhibitions.
Gregory has lived in Hawaii and California and travelled extensively in Western Europe, where he often paints on location. In 1993 he was invited to lead watercolor workshops for American expatriates in Dhahran and Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. He then traveled through the Kingdom and on to Dubai, Sharjah, and Oman, where he found inspiration for paintings that were exhibited in a 1994 solo exhibition at INMA Gallery, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Gregory enjoys traveling with his wife, Renée, as well as bicycling, reading novels, flower gardening, and spending time with his 13 siblings, four stepchildren, and three young grandchildren.
A resident of Peoria since 2009, Gregory joined the Fine Arts Society in 2018 and served as Hospitality Chair for three years.
Born in Canton, Illinois, Gregory studied Architecture and Fine Art at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has enjoyed a 50-year career as an artist, creating more than 4,500 paintings, most of which hang in public and private collections throughout this country and abroad. His work has been juried into numerous national and international exhibitions.
Gregory has lived in Hawaii and California and travelled extensively in Western Europe, where he often paints on location. In 1993 he was invited to lead watercolor workshops for American expatriates in Dhahran and Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. He then traveled through the Kingdom and on to Dubai, Sharjah, and Oman, where he found inspiration for paintings that were exhibited in a 1994 solo exhibition at INMA Gallery, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Gregory enjoys traveling with his wife, Renée, as well as bicycling, reading novels, flower gardening, and spending time with his 13 siblings, four stepchildren, and three young grandchildren.
ROBERTA KOSCIELSKI, Membership Chair
In 2022, to honor Koscielski's retirement from the Peoria Public Library, a generous FAS member anonymously sponsored a lecture and her membership for the following program year. In 2023, she joined the board.
Born in Peru, Illinois, Koscielski received a B.A. in linguistics and an M.L.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She served as Director of LaSalle Public Library before accepting a position as Manager of Peoria Public Library’s Lakeview Branch in 1984. In 2006, she transferred to Peoria’s Main Library to assist in preparations for a referendum to modernize all library locations. She was appointed the library’s Deputy Director in 2011.
Koscielski was named Illinois Librarian of the Year in 2020 for her distinguished service and leadership. She was the first Peoria Public Library representative to receive this honor. Her work to raise public and staff awareness of the opioid epidemic in the Peoria area led to her recognition as one of the 2018 Library Journal Movers and Shakers and as a “new first responder” in the opioid epidemic by U.S. News and World Report.
Koscielski serves on the board of Neighborhood House and the executive committees of Delta Kappa Gamma-Nu Chapter and Bradley University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She lives in Peoria with her husband Chandler and their eight charming cats.
In 2022, to honor Koscielski's retirement from the Peoria Public Library, a generous FAS member anonymously sponsored a lecture and her membership for the following program year. In 2023, she joined the board.
Born in Peru, Illinois, Koscielski received a B.A. in linguistics and an M.L.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She served as Director of LaSalle Public Library before accepting a position as Manager of Peoria Public Library’s Lakeview Branch in 1984. In 2006, she transferred to Peoria’s Main Library to assist in preparations for a referendum to modernize all library locations. She was appointed the library’s Deputy Director in 2011.
Koscielski was named Illinois Librarian of the Year in 2020 for her distinguished service and leadership. She was the first Peoria Public Library representative to receive this honor. Her work to raise public and staff awareness of the opioid epidemic in the Peoria area led to her recognition as one of the 2018 Library Journal Movers and Shakers and as a “new first responder” in the opioid epidemic by U.S. News and World Report.
Koscielski serves on the board of Neighborhood House and the executive committees of Delta Kappa Gamma-Nu Chapter and Bradley University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She lives in Peoria with her husband Chandler and their eight charming cats.
JENNIFER LEE, Community Engagement Chair
Lee joined the Fine Arts Society Board in 2020. She has served on the boards of directors of numerous community-based not-for-profit organizations, including the University of Illinois Alumni Association and its Parents' Association, the Peoria Promise Foundation, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Women's Fund of Central Illinois. She served as President of the Tri-County Urban League Guild, Vice Chair of Greater Peoria Mass Transit District Board of Trustees, and is a proud member of the National Urban League’s Quarter Century Club. She served as Executive Director of the Peoria Art Guild.
Lee joined the Fine Arts Society Board in 2020. She has served on the boards of directors of numerous community-based not-for-profit organizations, including the University of Illinois Alumni Association and its Parents' Association, the Peoria Promise Foundation, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Women's Fund of Central Illinois. She served as President of the Tri-County Urban League Guild, Vice Chair of Greater Peoria Mass Transit District Board of Trustees, and is a proud member of the National Urban League’s Quarter Century Club. She served as Executive Director of the Peoria Art Guild.
MARGUERITE D. ROSS, Auditorium Arrangements
Ross joined the Fine Arts Society Board of Directors in 2021. When the board receives news that a member of FAS has passed away, Ross acts on their behalf to send condolences to the bereaved family.
Ross spent her early adult years in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to retirement, she was employed by CEFCU as an IT analyst. Nowadays, Ross and her husband, Glenn, give of their time and talents to several nonprofit organizations in the Peoria area. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Heritage Ensemble for more than eight years, and on the Board of the Tri-county Peoria Urban League for a year and a half. She also volunteers at Trewyn school, assisting two fourth graders in enhancing their reading skills. She enjoys cooking, reading, watching the Great British Baking show, and beekeeping.
The Rosses have been married almost 50 years and are the proud parents of a daughter employed as a mechanical engineer in Illinois, and a son and daughter-in-law who reside in California and are employed, respectively, as a cybersecurity analyst and a research scientist. They are also the proud grandparents of two beautiful, rambunctious grandchildren: one boy and one girl.
Ross joined the Fine Arts Society Board of Directors in 2021. When the board receives news that a member of FAS has passed away, Ross acts on their behalf to send condolences to the bereaved family.
Ross spent her early adult years in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to retirement, she was employed by CEFCU as an IT analyst. Nowadays, Ross and her husband, Glenn, give of their time and talents to several nonprofit organizations in the Peoria area. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Heritage Ensemble for more than eight years, and on the Board of the Tri-county Peoria Urban League for a year and a half. She also volunteers at Trewyn school, assisting two fourth graders in enhancing their reading skills. She enjoys cooking, reading, watching the Great British Baking show, and beekeeping.
The Rosses have been married almost 50 years and are the proud parents of a daughter employed as a mechanical engineer in Illinois, and a son and daughter-in-law who reside in California and are employed, respectively, as a cybersecurity analyst and a research scientist. They are also the proud grandparents of two beautiful, rambunctious grandchildren: one boy and one girl.
LINDA PEDRETTY ROWE, Communications Chair
Rowe has been a member the Fine Arts Society for almost seven years and joined the Board in 2024.
Rowe devoted her work life to education and advocacy, with a strong focus on student affairs in higher education. She began her career at the University of Florida-Gainesville, then Indiana University-Bloomington. During the early 1980s Rowe coordinated the original National Autism Hotline and was a client advocate and lobbyist for West Virginia Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled. From 1987 to 2001 she served as Director of Student Judicial Programs for Marshall University in Huntington, WV. In 2001, Rowe was appointed to the academic professional staff of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria where she worked for 17 years, serving as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Rowe has regularly consulted, presented, and written for publication on a variety of issues affecting college student life. Her volunteer and service activities have included leadership roles in the Association for Student Conduct Administration and the Association of American Medical Colleges, the League of Women Voters of WV, The Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley, and the Admissions Committee of the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Born in North Carolina, Rowe grew up in Clearwater, Florida. She earned a B.A. in English and M.Ed. in English education at the University of Florida-Gainesville and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from West Virginia University. Rowe’s husband, Robert, is an artist and professor emeritus at Bradley University. Together, they enjoy the Peoria arts scene in addition to traveling, camping, and spending time with their three grown children and three young grandsons.
Rowe has been a member the Fine Arts Society for almost seven years and joined the Board in 2024.
Rowe devoted her work life to education and advocacy, with a strong focus on student affairs in higher education. She began her career at the University of Florida-Gainesville, then Indiana University-Bloomington. During the early 1980s Rowe coordinated the original National Autism Hotline and was a client advocate and lobbyist for West Virginia Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled. From 1987 to 2001 she served as Director of Student Judicial Programs for Marshall University in Huntington, WV. In 2001, Rowe was appointed to the academic professional staff of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria where she worked for 17 years, serving as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Adjunct Assistant Professor.
Rowe has regularly consulted, presented, and written for publication on a variety of issues affecting college student life. Her volunteer and service activities have included leadership roles in the Association for Student Conduct Administration and the Association of American Medical Colleges, the League of Women Voters of WV, The Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley, and the Admissions Committee of the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Born in North Carolina, Rowe grew up in Clearwater, Florida. She earned a B.A. in English and M.Ed. in English education at the University of Florida-Gainesville and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from West Virginia University. Rowe’s husband, Robert, is an artist and professor emeritus at Bradley University. Together, they enjoy the Peoria arts scene in addition to traveling, camping, and spending time with their three grown children and three young grandsons.
KAY WEBBER, Nominating Chair
Webber joined the Fine Arts Society in 2016 and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2021.
Webber has lived in the Peoria area for more than 50 years. A graduate of Bradley University with a dual degree in Psychology/Social Services, she earned the M.S.W. from the University of Illinois School of Social Work in 1995. Her career as a mental health professional began as a crisis counselor for Emergency Response Service of the former Human Service Center. While attaining her master’s degree, Webber worked as a clinician at Central Illinois Center for the Treatment of Addictions , a long-term residential treatment program for women. During this time, she taught at Illinois Central College and spoke on occasion at Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley meetings.
After retiring, Webber served the Catholic Diocese of Peoria as an instructor of Protecting God’s Children and coordinated Cursillo in Christianity, an ecumenical renewal program. She also volunteered for CASA of the 10th Judicial Circuit. She serves on the board of trustees of Caterpillar Public Water District in Germantown Hills and is a member of the Peoria Art Guild’s Annual Fine Art Fair committee. Webber tends her flowers and vegetable garden “with passion” and enjoys travel, her book club, and dear friends.
Webber joined the Fine Arts Society in 2016 and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2021.
Webber has lived in the Peoria area for more than 50 years. A graduate of Bradley University with a dual degree in Psychology/Social Services, she earned the M.S.W. from the University of Illinois School of Social Work in 1995. Her career as a mental health professional began as a crisis counselor for Emergency Response Service of the former Human Service Center. While attaining her master’s degree, Webber worked as a clinician at Central Illinois Center for the Treatment of Addictions , a long-term residential treatment program for women. During this time, she taught at Illinois Central College and spoke on occasion at Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley meetings.
After retiring, Webber served the Catholic Diocese of Peoria as an instructor of Protecting God’s Children and coordinated Cursillo in Christianity, an ecumenical renewal program. She also volunteered for CASA of the 10th Judicial Circuit. She serves on the board of trustees of Caterpillar Public Water District in Germantown Hills and is a member of the Peoria Art Guild’s Annual Fine Art Fair committee. Webber tends her flowers and vegetable garden “with passion” and enjoys travel, her book club, and dear friends.
BECKY WHITE, Publicity Chair
White has lived in Peoria since 1976. She received a B.F.A. from Purdue University in 1975 with concentrations in art history and photography. From 1976 to 2016 she was employed by Caterpillar Inc., where her responsibilities included technical marketing literature for marine engines and coordination of the Pleasure Craft Trade Show. She currently works part time for Jim Maloof Realty.
White’s community volunteer experience encompasses other areas of the arts - particularly music. She is involved with church choir, the Bach Festival, and the Gretchen Iben Concert series; she is treasurer and board member of the American Guild of Organists-Peoria Chapter. Her personal interests include riding motorcycles, learning to fly, taking German lessons, teaching piano lessons, and dog sitting.
White has lived in Peoria since 1976. She received a B.F.A. from Purdue University in 1975 with concentrations in art history and photography. From 1976 to 2016 she was employed by Caterpillar Inc., where her responsibilities included technical marketing literature for marine engines and coordination of the Pleasure Craft Trade Show. She currently works part time for Jim Maloof Realty.
White’s community volunteer experience encompasses other areas of the arts - particularly music. She is involved with church choir, the Bach Festival, and the Gretchen Iben Concert series; she is treasurer and board member of the American Guild of Organists-Peoria Chapter. Her personal interests include riding motorcycles, learning to fly, taking German lessons, teaching piano lessons, and dog sitting.