Gloria’s affiliation with the Grünewald Guild began in 2005, when she attended her first class as a chaperone for her seven year old son, who wanted to take enameling. Many years and classes have passed, her two children have grown to become an artist and a craftsman, and Gloria has served as volunteer, board member, and staff at the Guild. Hired by Brian Johnson to assume a development role following the successful capital campaign for the cabin, Gloria ended up serving 6 months as the interim director following Brian’s sudden departure. After 2 years away, she is happy to step back into a role that she views as fundamentally about building community, and is eager to engage that community’s support for a place where artists can embrace the sacred and all people can claim their creative birthright.

Gloria spent many years in research oncology and hospice as a nurse, and yet considers motherhood the best job – and education – of her life. A lifelong Lutheran Christian, her faith has been deeply shaped by Ignatian practices and invitations into the natural world from St. Francis to Robin Wall Kimmerer. She longs for a world transformed.