Get your art on
I'Ve Been called glitter glue
Raised on a steady diet of music, art, and entertaining, I’ve become a perpetual cultural liaison.
Twenty-three years as executive director of a chamber music festival, I want our audiences to have a concert experience that shines; I have produced over 300 events. My arts consulting projects foster creativity, productivity, and livability. Our bright, art-filled home is sanctuary to the many travelers we host from all over the world. Brisbane House, my newest project, has been a dream come true.
I’m like glitter glue, creating a cohesive whole that sparkles. Let’s get creative. Let's make it possible! What can I do for you?
Day jobS
Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society
Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society is a local summertime favorite amongst chamber music fans. Since 1992, we’ve been presenting traditional and contemporary classical music concerts, along with artist commentary and delightful surprises, each June, in Madison, Spring Green, and Stoughton, Wisconsin. Each season’s clever theme draws musicians from all over the country to collaborate on and present six different programs during the festival. I have the privilege of working closely with artistic directors Stephanie Jutt and Jeffrey Sykes, some of the finest musicians anywhere, and our wonderfully talented and generous board of directors.
As executive director for 26 seasons, my job is to bring joy, beauty, and enrichment to our community through the fine arts.
“One of the happy mainstays of Madison’s summer musical life!”
Day Jobs
Brisbane House
My latest project, The Brisbane House is Now open for guests.
The Brisbane House is newly restored and open! It's a beautiful, tall, skinny stone house on the State and National Historic Register of Historic Places in Arena, Wisconsin, just 40 minutes from Madison. It sleeps ten people altogether in the main house and in the adjacent "summer kitchen." There are five bedrooms, containing seven beds, and two full bathrooms. The new kitchen features new appliances, custom cabinetry by a master craftsman (and French horn player) with a Carrera marble countertop, a harvest table made of local cherry wood, and the existing quirky pie-safe upper cupboards installed in the 20s or 30s. The kitchen and living room have soaring 10' ceilings and both are graceful spaces with clean lines. The summer kitchen bedroom, nearly all windows, is an uplifting retreat, with a new screen porch attached. It stands on 18 wooded acres.
Bonus! The man who built it in 1868, William Henry Brisbane, was an abolitionist from South Carolina. Dedicated to human rights. I want to highlight his courage and his story. You can read acrostics he wrote and dedicated to his wife along with other snippets from his diaries in a recently-made collage that hangs in the house. Further honoring his legacy, all of the contemporary art on the walls is by nationally recognized Black artists, and there's a small library of anti-racist books and books by Black authors.
I am proud to say that I directed the project from start to finish and was awarded the “Preservation Award” by the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation in 2022 and the “Restoration Award” by the State Historical Society’s Board of Curators in 2023. Over 150 enthusiastic people—including my husband and my business partner—helped bring this special place back to glorious life. It's a blend of historic appointments and modern luxuries, a project of a lifetime. Go to Brisbanehouse.net to book your stay!
Bright bedroom with contemporary art and heirloom quilts.
Historic appointments and modern comforts.
side hustles
Untitled art consulting
I love a creative challenge! Contact me about your project.
Art consulting and collection management. For over 20 years, I have been specializing in acquiring and installing contemporary works on paper and paintings.
I build or enhance your collection based on your budget, timeline, and aesthetic objective.
As an independent agent, I work with artists, galleries, framers, and installers on behalf of you, my client.
Art consulting for private clients. I help you, a new or seasoned collector, select and install works of art.
For the cost of buying directly from a gallery, I can advise, acquire art, frame and install it in your home or office.
Special Events:
Co-developed Arts Enterprise events and activities, a program that teaches artists of any discipline how to be successful entrepreneurs.
Produced Performing the Jewish Archive special events showcasing previously lost or archived music, literature, and theater, at UW-Madison. The United States component was part of a five country, three-year collaboration funded by a United Kingdom Arts and Humanities Research Council Grant.
Co-conspirator of Art Party, Art Party Tuesday happy hours bring together artists and creative people in the greater Madison area. Since 2018, they’ve been held in over 50 locations.
“You did a beautiful job getting everything installed perfectly. I don’t have words for how beautiful it all looks! Just. Wow.”
Management and Historic Preservation Consulting
Managing beautiful historic properties enables me to protect and maintain important landmarks while working within this special architectural fabric with residents who cherish their homes.
Manager, since 2008, for The Baskerville Condo Association, a downtown Madison landmark built in 1913-14.
Manager for private properties, helping owners maintain their investments (since 2011).
Manager, historic Bellevue Apartments, downtown Madison’s first luxury apartment building built in 1914 (1997 - 2007).
Created feasibility studies and historic building inventories for projects in Milwaukee and Racine with Fountainhead Partners (1997 - 2003).
Airbnb Superhosting VRBO Premiere hosting
My family and I are Superhosts who have been welcoming guests into our home—and now Brisbane House!—from all over the world for ten fulfilling years. Providing a warm and cheerful landing place, we’ve also learned about the kindness of strangers, transience, and letting go. Check out our Airbnb listings, then come visit!
Working for good
helping my community flourish
Serving my community in a leadership role is something I value highly. Whether it is speaking out, looking inward, or creating something special for many, I rise to the challenge to enrich the health and culture of our community.
EAGLE SCHOOL, Board Member
2019 – present
EAGLE is an independent kindergarten through eighth grade school dedicated to serving gifted and talented students, focusing on providing a challenging academic curriculum along with supportive social-emotional guidance.
WORMFARM INSTITUTE, Board Member and PRESIDENT
2014 – 2017
Producer of Fermentation Fest and its Farm Art DTour, nationally recognized Wormfarm Institute is centered in Reedsburg, Wis., at the intersection of arts, agriculture, and land conservation.
friends of the uw-madison geology museum, board Member and president
2007 – 2012
With the support of the amazing Museum staff, we transitioned to a larger and younger board of directors, held special events, and increased the membership and contributor base for the Museum.
madison trust for historic preservation, board Member and president
1997 – 2002
Dedicated to the conservation of Madison's historic places, we raised the profile of many special events, walking tours, and diversified the board of directors.
first settlement neighborhood historic district committee, Member and chair
1996 – 2001
A part of Capitol Neighborhoods Inc., we created the First Settlement Historic Preservation District Ordinance with the City of Madison.
where it began
Making Glue in the day, glitter at night
tandem press, Curator
Madison, WI, 1993 – 1997
In my first full-time job, I managed, maintained, and sold collection inventory, saw how the sausage was made in the print shop, met many nationally significant artists, and traveled around the US. I was assistant curator for a year prior, waiting for prime time.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, student
BA Art History 1991; MA Art History 1994.
American Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, staff
Venice, Italy, 1993
Hanging out at the Pavilion all day, I was inspired by Louise Bourgeois and her 15 works, which include idiosyncratic, often Surrealist sculptures and drawings. The Giardini, the location of the Biennale, was a mini artistic United Nations where everyone fit in.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, intern
Venice, Italy, 1991
While being responsible for the museum collection and operations, along with my fellows, I absorbed the Italian culture and spirit into my heart and soul, now fostering the friendships I made with people from around the world.
Milwaukee Art Museum, Assistant
Milwaukee, WI, 1988
My love of art history and enthusiasm for special projects shone during my summer job working across many departments with brilliant people at the museum.
University School of Milwaukee, Middle and High school
Milwaukee, WI, 1981 – 1987
This haven for integrity and academic and artistic excellence grew me into the person I am today (thanks Dad).
Red Pine Camp for Girls, camper
Minocqua, WI, 1979 – 1983
I have had a love of the northwoods since birth (thanks Mom). The blue skies, clear lakes, activities, and girl-power I experienced got me started on the path of authenticity and leadership. Check out this photo and essay by Alan Attie in “The Soul in Things,” about my All Around Camper award.