Krannert Art Museum Council Board (October 2022)
Jane Myers and Brice Hutchcraft visit with one another while attending the KAM Council Garden Party, 2019. Photo by Julia Nucci Kelly
Nancy Johnson and Carolyn Ottmers enjoy the KAM Council Garden Party, 2019. Photo by Julia Nucci Kelly

Council members work closely with others who share an interest in art, and they expand the museum's outreach to the community. 

See how KAM Council can magnify your KAM experiences! The Council provides opportunities to Be involved, Be Inspired, Be Informed and Be Indulged: 

Volunteer in the Gelvin Gardens
Be a part of a KAMC team that maintains the Gelvin Gardens, which director Jon Seydl calls "the first gallery of the museum", while forming bonds with others who enjoy gardening.

To support the ongoing care and maintenance of the gardens, a Krannert Art Museum Council Garden Quasi-Endowment Fund has been established. Anyone can give online via our Contribute page.

Make New Friends at KAMC Mixers
Meet in a member’s home to exchange personal interests in art, often connected to an exhibition at KAM, while enjoying refreshments, getting to know other members, and building friendships.

Join in Art Conversations
Meet in a member’s home for a presentation, usually connected to a KAM exhibition, by a person knowledgeable about art, and for wine, food, and time to socialize with other members.

Share Your Thoughts at Noon Art Sparks at KAM
Hear at least two art enthusiasts exchange ideas about a work of art shown at KAM. Your responses, sparked though their dialogue, can be shared with others as you eat your lunch in the Link Gallery.

Gather at KAMC Luncheons
Come to our Spring and Fall luncheons while you gather with fellow art enthusiasts and supporters of the museum at artfully decorated tables to learn something new about art at the University of Illinois and in the community.

Enjoy the Elegant Acquired Taste Celebration
Attend the museum's new gala fundraiser where you can not only enjoy lavish wine, food, and music but also cast votes for works of art to be added to the museum collection.

 

To Become A KAM Council Member

Becoming a Council member is easy.

First, if you're not already, become a museum member.

Then, send your Council dues ($50 annually, payable to Krannert Art Museum Council) with your name, address, and contact information (phone/email) to: 

Jane Santogrossi, Treasurer
Krannert Art Museum Council
c/o Krannert Art Museum
500 E. Peabody Dr
Champaign, IL 61820

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to email the council.

Krannert Art Museum Council Officers

Board | 2024–2025

President  
Kim Wurl

Vice President 
Len Lewicki

Treasurer  
Jane Santogrossi

Assistant Treasurer 
Cecile Steinberg

Recording Secretary  
Melissa Merli

Corresponding Secretary 
Diane Schumacher

Museum Council Liaison  
Stacie Stewart

Ex-Officio 
Sharon Williams

 

Committee Chairs

Archivist  
Marguerite Maguire

Art Conversations  
Gail Bickel and Sharon Williams

Art Sparks  
Melissa Merli

Directory  
Jane Santogrossi

Finance  
Jane Santogrossi, Brice Hutchcraft, Cecile Steinberg

Garden Endowment  
Brenda Nardi

Gelvin Gardens  
Gloria Rainer

Luncheons  
Debbie Eichelberger and Nancy Johnson

Membership  
Karen Devine, Kathy Micek, Rhonda Fallon, Mary Beth Kurasek, Len Lewicki

Public Information and E-news 
Kim Wurl

Public Relations  
Melissa Merli

Unsung Hero  
Donna Giertz

Acquired Taste Celebration Committee

Lori Hunt
Mary Beth Kurasek
Kim Wurl

Past Presidents, KAM Council

Launched in 1964, the Krannert Art Museum Council is a not-for-profit service and advocacy group dedicated to assisting the museum with events, fundraising, art education, and maintenance of the museum gardens.
  • Nolda Dohme 1964–65
  • Margaret Ackermann 1965–67
  • Jane Kelley 1967–69
  • Rosann Noel 1969–71
  • Pat Failor 1971–73
  • Pat Moyer 1973–75
  • Ruth Youngerman 1975–77
  • Charlotte Johnson 1977–79
  • Jean Edwards 1979–81
  • Sandra Casserly 1981–83
  • Gloria Helfrich 1983–85
  • Lynn Hay 1985–87
  • Helen Levin 1987–89
  • Nancy Martin 1989–93
  • Carol Arnould 1993–95
  • Miriam Iben 1995–97
  • Clare Haussermann 1997–99
  • Ann Khan 1999–2001
  • Alice Pfeffer 2001–3
  • Alice Dodds 2003–5
  • Sandra Batzli 2005–7
  • Judi Gratkins 2007–9
  • Vivian Larson 2009–11
  • Gloria Rainer 2011–13
  • Margaret Martin 2013–15
  • Led by Committee 2015–17
  • Elizabeth Kocheril 2017–19
  • Sharon Williams 2019–21
  • Sharon Williams 2021–23

The Unsung Hero Award

This award was inaugurated in 2001 to honor a Council member who has volunteered tirelessly, diligently, and quietly.
  • 2001 Harriett Shapland
  • 2002 Norma Howard
  • 2003 Nancy Morse
  • 2004 Phyllis Robeson
  • 2005 Judi Gratkins
  • 2006 Mary Kay Dailey
  • 2007 Katie Pomonis
  • 2008 Alice Pfeffer
  • 2009 Gloria Rainer
  • 2010 Jane Myers
  • 2011 Jim Sinclair and Bob Smith
  • 2012 Sandra Batzli
  • 2013 Margaret Martin
  • 2014 Diane Schumacher
  • 2015 Rosann Noel
  • 2016 Chris Schaede
  • 2017 Marty Sierra-Perry
  • 2018 Sheila O’Connor
  • 2019 Jean Hagen
  • 2020 Debbie Eichelberger
  • 2021 Karen Devine
  • 2022 Lisa Kocheril
  • 2023 Brice Hutchcraft
  • 2024 Mary Beth Kurasek