Staff

Our gallery, programs, and preservation efforts are coordinated by a team of dedicated staff members. Their shared passion for the arts, and commitment to the Guild’s mission, make them central to our organization’s success.

2020

Staff Members

Sean Hildreth

Executive Director

With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, Sean is a passionate leader dedicated to fostering vibrant communities through the arts and strategic outreach. His background encompasses a diverse range of non-profit experiences.  Previously, he held leadership positions at the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts and the Jackson County United Way, where he honed his skills in fundraising, community engagement, and strategic communication.  His expertise lies in building strong relationships with stakeholders, fostering community engagement, and developing impactful marketing strategies.

Sean’s passion for the arts fuels his commitment to supporting artistic expression and enriching cultural experiences.  His extensive experience working with museums and arts organizations positions him to make a significant impact on the Brown County Art Guild and the wider artistic community.

Roberta Chirko

Gallery Manager

Roberta was born in Chicago Illinois. She worked as a fashion model and traveled extensively while living in Paris and New York City before settling in Brown County.  She spent time as a pre-school teacher, an entrepreneur, and a sale executive.  Her volunteer efforts included fundraising for community organizations such as We the People, Mother’s Cupboard and the Brown County Playhouse.  

Roberta joined the Brown County Art Guild in 2011 where she appreciates being immersed in the historic art community. As the gallery manager, she enjoys showcasing the extensive permanent collection as well as the varied works of the contemporary member artists and artisans.  She says “I feel so blessed to be surrounded by these amazing works of art and relish the stimulating conversations with art loving patrons.”

Rebecca Fischer

Gallery Associate

Becky spent many years working in the customer service and sales industry but happily relocated near Nashville with her husband a few years ago.  Her mother was originally from Brown County so Becky knew it well having spent much of her childhood visiting relatives in the area.   

She enjoys working at the Guild and sharing her knowledge of the past and present artists with visitors from all over the world.  She talks about Brown County’s unique history and why the artists traveled here to paint its beautiful landscapes and remote way of life.

Lael George

Gallery Associate

Lael lived and worked in Indianapolis for a commercial landscape maintenance company for forty years in the interior plant world.  After retiring she and her husband moved to Brown County.  She joined the staff at the Art Guild in 2022.

Lael loves working with other staff members, the artists and many supporters of the Guild as well as meeting customers.  She especially enjoys the opportunity to help carry on the wonderful Brown County Art Guild tradition.

Marti Garvey

Marketing Associate

Marti was raised in upstate New York & southern Indiana by a family who was immersed in art & music of all genres.  She attended Indiana University and has lived in Brown County for 42 years. She and her husband, Norbert, built their homestead from scratch while starting a family business, Homes from the Wood, and raising four children.  They now are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren.

Prior to her position at the Guild, she worked in the greeting card industry for 12 years as their sales & art coordinator.  ​Her other interests are many and varied, including photography, illustration & digital art, hiking, cross country skiing, gardening, playing guitar, sewing, reading and collecting art & pottery.  Her camera is always in hand and is fortunate to have been published in several regional publications.

She is honored to be able to share the rich art history of the Guild and has a deep appreciation for the art colony culture of Brown County.  She loves the marketing aspect of the organization in order to help promote and educate the public about this treasure!