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May 4, 2020 Contact: Kris Nickerson Norwich Arts Center President, Board of Directors krispete0730@gmail.com 860-949-0444 For Immediate Release Norwich, CT: In recent meetings, the Norwich Arts Center 's Board of Directors held votes to elect new members. They are pleased to announce that Mike Van Vlaenderen and Carol Dunn have joined the Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 term. Mike Van Vlaenderen was born and raised in Norwich. He has worked for Reliance Health, Inc . idowntown Norwich since 1991 and currently serves as their Chief Operating Officer. Mike's love of music and the arts, along with his desire to give back to the community that has given him so much, was a driving factor in his decision to apply as a NAC board member. Mike has dedicated himself to the Norwich community through work and volunteer efforts over the past 30 years. His involvement varies from coaching, to organizing community road races and to participating in local clean-up-the-street efforts. He is also a musician who has played in many of the venues throughout the area. Carol Dunn is an award winning printmaker, photographer and mixed media artist, specializing in alternative processes for creating artwork. She exhibits frequently in the New England area and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she vacations. She holds a B.S. degree in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Connecticut and an Associate in Fine Arts degree from QVCC. She is an Elected Artist with Norwich Arts Center, Mystic Museum of Art, Essex Art Association, Connecticut Women Artists, Lyme Art Association and Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts; she is an Associate Artist with the South County Art Association. Her studio, Little River Studio & Gallery , features views of the river in Baltic, lots of natural light and an etching press, where she holds classes in her many techniques. She has also taught classes at Quinebaug Valley Community College, Manchester Community College, Norwich Arts Center, Mystic Museum of Art, Silver Circle Studio, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Meiklem Kiln Works, Norwich Adult Ed, New London Adult Ed, South County Art Association and the Lyme Art Association. Her work is held in private collections throughout the US, Ireland, France and Australia. The Norwich Arts Center’s complete Board of Directors includes Kris Nickerson - President , Faye Ringel - Vice President , Thom Keaney - Treasurer , Patricia LaPierre - Secretary , immediate past President Karen Staples , Artists Co-Op President Susan Scott Kenney , Roberta Vincent , MaryKay Kelleher , Susan Masse and Peter Leibert (Emeritus). Advisors to the Board are Gerald Lachance and Michael Jewell . The Norwich Arts Center, a 501c3, was formed in 1987 to cultivate the region's appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the arts by providing affordable cultural enrichment through diverse visual, literary and performing arts programs and events. NAC’s footprint in the Chelsea Arts District continues to play a key role in the revitalization of downtown Norwich. A vital part of the downtown First Friday scene, with a monthly gallery opening reception and a season of live concerts reflecting diverse music genres and a full schedule of plays and events, Norwich Arts Center proves to be a boon to Norwich as one of the city’s unique cultural attractions