On behalf of the Grünewald Guild Board of Directors, I am delighted to announce that we have named a new Executive Director!
Starting November 1, Sarah Sprouse will be joining the Guild from the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
Sarah brings a rare mix of leadership skills, development expertise, arts education background, and familiarity with working at a camp and retreat center just down the road from us in Plain. Starting out on summer staff at Tall Timber Camp, Sarah served as Development and Marketing Director, and eventually as Tall Timber’s Co-Director. Sarah knows the love of a community-centered place like the Guild, and what it takes to nurture that over time. And Sarah knows snow and bears, forest fires and old cabins, and most of all, busy summers.
Sarah is an art educator and visual artist from the greater Seattle area. Her work can be found in the permanent collections of the University of Montana, the City of Spokane, and Edmonds College. Sarah has ten years of experience as a teaching artist and in programmatic design, including leading art programming in urban spaces, immersive residential experiences, camps, and publicly funded institutions. Holding an MA in Art History and Art Education from Azusa Pacific University, Sarah is passionate about creative collaboration and facilitating spaces for all to experience the transformative power of art.
“The Guild has long been a place of inspiration – it is where I was first introduced to ceramics, the practice of art as worship, and community art making. I first came to know the Guild during a community raku class and firing, and since, have pursued a post-baccalaureate in ceramics, studied pots from all over the world, and wrote my Master’s thesis on the history of modern ceramics. My life is guided by a passion for fostering creative explorations and experiences for others. I firmly believe art connects us to the divine, inspires and enriches our lives, and animates community.
I have deep respect for the great work of the Board, Acting Directors, and everyone involved during the major transitions the Guild has experienced over the past few years. It is an honor to join the Guild as the next Executive Director and I look forward to working with the Guild community in this next season of the Guild’s history.”
Thanks to the remarkable transition work by our Acting Co-Directors, Chance Voigt and Julia Hubbard, the steady tending of the Board of Directors, and a host of dedicated volunteers, faculty, and participants, the Guild community has gone beyond resilience in the face of unexpected leadership and COVID challenges, into outright flourishing. It is a beautiful moment to welcome a new director.
As I write I am filled with hope and optimism as well as a deep gratitude for the dream that became the Guild and all who have shared, and continue to share, in bringing this dream to life.
President, Board of Directors
Grünewald Guild
