Staff

Executive Office

David Butler | Executive Director

Dr. David Butler joined the Knoxville Museum of Art as executive director in 2006 after serving as the director of the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University since 2000; director of the Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana 1995-2000; and the Emerson Gallery at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York 1992-1995. He was also an instructor in art history at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and at Washington University in St. Louis. Butler earned a Bachelor’s Degree Magna Cum Laude in Art History in 1976 and a Master’s Degree in Art History in 1980, both from Florida State University. He received his Ph.D. in Art History with concentration on 17th century Italian Art from Washington University in 1991. Butler is a peer reviewer for the Museum Assessment Program and Accreditation Program of the American Alliance of Museums (2004 Excellence in Peer Review Service Award) and has served as a visual arts panelist for the Tennessee Arts Commission, has served on the board of the Art and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville, the City of Knoxville Public Art Committee, the Knox County Historic Zoning Commission, and is past president of the Southeastern Museums Conference.

David Butler

Executive Director

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Denise DuBose | Director of Administration

Denise DuBose’s primary responsibility has been to support KMA’s governing board. She assists the director as needed and serves as the office’s tech assistant, managing technological issues with computer services and equipment. DuBose spent nearly 10 years working for Lockheed Martin as a computer analyst and programmer. She joined the KMA as a volunteer and started working as an operations assistant in 2006. In 2009, she stepped into the role of the manager of L’Amour du Vin, KMA’s largest fundraiser. DuBose holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Bridgewater College, Virginia, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, in Computer Science with added coursework in Accounting. She is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and active in the Tennessee Alpha chapter.

Denise DuBose

Director of Administration

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COLLECTIONS & EXHIBITIONS

Stephen Wicks | BARBARA W. AND BERNARD E. BERNSTEIN CURATOR

Stephen C. Wicks is the Barbara W. and Bernard E. Bernstein Curator at the Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA). He has guided the KMA’s curatorial department for more than 25 years. He manages the museum’s exhibitions program and guides the development of its collections of East Tennessee-related art and international contemporary art. Wicks was instrumental in helping the KMA build the world’s largest and most comprehensive public collection of the Knoxville-born painter Beauford Delaney’s art. He has organized dozens of exhibitions, including Beauford Delaney and James Baldwin: Through the Unusual Door, Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee, the first ongoing display devoted to East Tennessee’s art history; Awakening the Spirits, the first-ever retrospective devoted to the work of Bessie Harvey, Facets of Modern and Contemporary Glass, which examined the expanding use of glass as a contemporary art material; Lift: Contemporary Printmaking in the Third Dimension; and New Directions in American Drawing. He previously served as curator of collections and exhibitions at the Columbus Museum (Georgia), and is active as a guest curator, juror, lecturer, and writer. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Tennessee, his Master of Arts in Art History and Museum Studies from Case Western Reserve University, and was awarded back-to-back Cleveland Museum of Art Fellowships.

Stephen Wicks

Barbara W. and Bernard E. Bernstein Curator

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Clark Gillespie | COLLECTION MANAGER

Clark Gillespie joined the Knoxville Museum of Art full time in August 2007. Gillespie manages the community gallery, an exhibition space dedicated to strengthening bonds and building awareness for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in East Tennessee. He coordinates all aspects of exhibition design and installation. He currently fulfills the duties of the museum registrar maintaining the care and upkeep of the museum collection and archives. While earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Arts and a minor in Art History from the University of Tennessee, Gillespie helped found Three Flights Up gallery in downtown Knoxville.

Clark Gillespie

Collection Manager

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Natalie McLaurin | Exhibitions Manager

Natalie McLaurin started as the KMA Exhibitions Manager in January 2020. She grew up in Knoxville, and received a Bachelors in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute and an MFA from University of New Orleans. She has worked as an art preparator at The Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum, The Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and numerous galleries. She was the Gallery Director at Antenna in New Orleans from 2012-2019. She also maintains active studio and curatorial practices.

Natalie McLaurin

EXHIBITIONS MANAGER

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Kelsie Conley | Curatorial Assistant

Kelsie Conley joined the KMA in August 2019 as Preparator, moving to Curatorial Assistant in 2021. Aside from her work at the Knoxville Museum of Art, her curatorial projects include directing the gallery space BAD WATER in North Knoxville. BAD WATER is led by a burning desire to support and connect deeply with artists, engage intentionally with the local community and art communities at-large, and to defiantly encourage the exhibition of diverse, experimental and evolving art practices in the American South. She earned her BFA in Painting & Printmaking with a minor in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to moving to Knoxville, Kelsie has lived in New York City, Richmond, Virginia and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Kelsie Conley

CURATORIAL ASSISTANT

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Development

Lori Calvert | Director of Development

Lori Calvert joined the KMA as Director of Development in August 2019 after serving as Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations at the University of Tennessee Medical Center and UT Graduate School of Medicine since 2015. At UTMC, she served as the organization’s strategic leader for donor relations, stewardship, advancement-related communications, and special event programs. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Development Programs at the University of Tennessee Foundation from 2009-2015 where she was responsible for major donor board management, special events, stewardship, and donor relations.

Lori Calvert

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

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Margo Clark | Director of Membership and Grants

Margo Clark joined the museum in 2000 bringing with her more than 11 years experience in non-profit membership, special events, and fundraising. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee. During her career at KMA, Clark has written numerous successful federal, state and local grants, including four recent NEA grants. She also serves as a visual arts panelist for the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Margo Clark

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP AND GRANTS

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Maggie Meyers | Assistant Director of Development

Maggie Meyers joined the KMA in 2013 as the development administrator. Meyers comes to the museum with over 18 years of development and event experience in the non-profit sector, the last seven of which were with Emerald Youth Foundation. A Knoxville native, she has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in public relations and advertising, from Carson-Newman University.

Maggie Meyers

Assistant Director of Development

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Chelsea Lloyd | Administrative Coordinator for Development

Chelsea joined the KMA staff as a Visitor Services Representative in April of 2017. She was promoted to Volunteer Coordinator in July of 2018 and then again to Administrative Coordinator for Development in April 2022. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2008 from the University of Alabama with a concentration in Sculpture and a minor in Printmaking. During her time there she was awarded the Arts & Sciences Outstanding Sophomore and became a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and the Golden Key Honor Society.

Chelsea Lloyd

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR FOR DEVELOPMENT

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Sarah Kaplan | Marketing Manager

Sarah Kaplan joined the KMA staff as the Marketing Manager in June of 2021. In 2009, she moved to the area to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where her education focused on Women’s Studies and Philosophy. For six years prior to coming to the museum, Kaplan worked as a project manager for Knoxville Graphic House assisting numerous local businesses with all aspects of design and marketing. Sarah has been involved with the Knoxville Museum of Art since 2016, working closely with the marketing team, gift shop, and auxiliary groups.

Sarah Kaplan

Marketing Manager

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Taylor Broyles | Fundraising Events Manager

Taylor Broyles joined the KMA in 2022 as the Fundraising Events Manager. She comes to the museum with over 5 years in event management and design experience. Taylor worked in Event Design Sales for All Occasions Party Rentals and completed internships with the City of Knoxville Special Events Office, The Tennessee Smokies, Tennessee Athletic Event Management, and Prater Day Music Booking Agency. Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and holds certification as an event professional (CERP).

Taylor Broyles

Fundraising Events Manager

Education

Rosalind Martin | Director of Education

Rosalind Martin joined the education department in 1993 and became the assistant curator of outreach and teacher services in 2003, overseeing youth outreach and family programs, pre K-12 grade student and teacher services, and tour scheduling. She holds a degree in business and a certificate in leadership and management from the U.S. Air Force. Prior to coming to the museum, she worked as an audiovisual media specialist, and as a training coordinator for a group of 18 government agencies. Martin was selected by the Tennessee Art Education Association (TAEA) to receive the prestigious Art Museum Educator of the Year award in 2005. In 2012, Martin was honored as the Tennessee Art Educator of the Year, the only non in-classroom educator to ever earn this title.

Rosalind Martin

Director of Education

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DeLena Feliciano | Assistant Director of Education

DeLena Feliciano has a BFA in 2D Studio Art, holds certifications with The National Association for Interpretation as a Certified Interpretive Guide and the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection as a Certified Visitor Relations Specialist. Feliciano began at the KMA as a Front Desk Volunteer in 2005. After working as a museum shop associate at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta she returned to Knoxville in 2008 and worked as a KMA Visitor Services Representative. Feliciano was promoted to Visitor Services Manager and Volunteer Coordinator serving in that position from 2012-2018, at which time she was hired as the Assistant Director of Education. Feliciano serves the KMA and the community on various councils, including the KMA Volunteer Advisory Council, the Knox Area Museum Educators Roundtable, and the Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association.

DeLena Feliciano

Assistant Director of Education

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Jonathan Hash | Visitor Services Manager

Jonathan Hash began working at the museum in 2008 as a Visitor Services Representative, after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art, concentrating his studies in watercolor painting. In 2010 he became the Lead Visitor Services Representative/VSR Coordinator, where he oversaw Visitor Services Representatives and attendance data entry. Needing more time in his personal life and to bring his artistic endeavors to fruition, he stepped down from that role a year later. He stayed on at the museum as a Visitor Services Representative. Within a couple of years he began an art business called “Mapping of Jon,” spanning projects in watercolor painting and digital artwork. In 2014, with things in order, he became a full-time staff member at the museum and was also juried into the Knoxville Watercolor Society, where he is an active member. In 2015, he became the Visitor Services Assistant Manager.

Jonathan Hash

Visitor Services Manager

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Danielle Mann | Volunteer Coordinator

Danielle Mann comes to the KMA with a rich and varied history of philanthropic experiences from Heifer International and United Way to the Cummer Museum of Art in Jacksonville, Florida. She began volunteering with Summer Art Academy in 2012 and then graduated to the Docent Program. In more recent years she has acted as the Teacher Liaison for the docents confirming tours, finding out the curriculum requests from teachers and sharing those with the docents to enhance the tour focus, and helping get docents signed up for tours. She has also supported Assistant Director of Education DeLena Feliciano with tour data entry and records for the past 3 years. She serves as the Staff Liaison for the Volunteer Advisory Council and has previously been a board member for the Meridian Museum of Art. She has a BA from the University of North Florida.

Danielle Mann

Volunteer Coordinator

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Operations

Joyce Jones | Director of Finance and Operations

Joyce Jones has been on staff at the museum since 1995. She began her tenure as an accounting assistant and was promoted to current position of director of finance in 2003. Prior to joining the museum, she worked in several accounting positions in the manufacturing sector.

Joyce Jones

Director of Finance and Operations

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Brandon Gallagher | Facility Manager

Brandon Gallagher joined the KMA staff as Facility Manager in March of 2022. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he relocated to Knoxville in 2011. Prior to joining the museum, Brandon worked in multifamily facilities maintenance since 2006.

Brandon Gallagher

Facility Manager

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Donald Fain | Maintenance Technician

Donald Fain joined the museum as maintenance technician in April 1992. Prior to joining the museum, he worked in maintenance and carpentry positions with Lear Seating Company, Five Oaks Company, Joy Manufacturing and the City of Dandridge.

Donald Fain

Maintenance Technician

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Travis Solomon | Security Manager

Travis Solomon graduated from Fulton High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has been working for the KMA in a facilities position since 1996.

Travis Solomon

Security Manager

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Vicki Wyrick | Gift Shop Manager

Vicki Wyrick joined the KMA staff as the Gift Shop Manager in October of 2022. Vicki was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been an artist her entire life. She had a successful career as a metal artist exhibiting at fine arts festivals throughout the United States. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minor in Education.

Vicki Wyrick

Gift Shop Manager

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Selena Friess | Facility Rental Coordinator

Selena Friess first joined the KMA team as an intern for the education department in the spring of 2020. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Women’s Studies, she took on a more permanent role as a Visitor Services Representative. During her time as a VSR, Selena was completely fascinated by the array of special events and facility rentals at the museum. In July 2022, she was promoted to her current position as Facility Rental Coordinator.

Selena Friess

Facility Rental Coordinator

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Brian Clay | Soundscapes Coordinator

Brian joined the Knoxville Museum of Art as the new coordinator of “Alive After Five” in June of 2021. He brings a love of the arts and a wealth of experience in performing arts. Brian is an accomplished jazz pianist and a gifted vocalist. Brian has seven recording projects to his credit and has shared performance stages with incredible contemporary jazz artists including Kirk Whalum, George Duke, David Sanborn, and Stanley Clark.

Brian is also a veteran radio broadcaster with 25 plus years of experience. He began his radio career in the Atlanta radio market as an air-personality. He has since created a weekly syndicated radio program called “JAZZSPIRATIONS with BRIAN CLAY” which airs on several stations across the country.

Brian was honored to receive the 2019 Martin Luther King Commemorative Commission of Knoxville Arts Award. He is a two-time Gospel Choice Award Winner. In 2018, Brian placed 5th in the “Lee Ritenour International Piano competition. He is a major influencer in Knoxville’s music scene performing in venues in Knoxville and across the southeast.

One of Brian’s accomplishments he is most proud of is the creation of “The Piano Project of Knoxville.” The Piano Project of Knoxville is a public art and music initiative that commissions visual artists to decorated pianos, and the pianos are placed in public spaces around the city for community engagement.

Brian Clay

Soundscapes Coordinator

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