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Close-up of original abstract acrylic painting on paper by Ann Gralnek

Bio

About Ann

Despite studying art and design at the University of Michigan, I pursued very different fields during my professional career. I began in publishing in New York City before heading west and pursuing public relations and private philanthropy as a program officer for several major grant-making foundations in California where I lived for more than 40 years with my husband and our two beautiful and talented daughters. When time permitted during those years, I enrolled in a myriad of painting classes at the Palos Verdes Art Center in southern California, a private studio in Menlo Park, California, and at RISD. After living in numerous U.S. cities, our family settled down in Barrington, RI.

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As a member of the Providence Art Club since January 2017, I have enrolled in regular classes every semester and love being surrounded by the talent and wonderful human beings with whom I interact with here. My recent work has been displayed in group shows at PAC and in the community. In January 2018 I received two Recognition Awards and Imago Fine arts in Warren, RI, as well as positive notice of three monoprint collages by Channing Gray in his Providence Journals review of that community show. I had a solo show of 32 pieces at St. John's Church in Barrington, RI. In August, 2018, one of my monoprint collages was accepted into the Abstract/Avant Garde juried show at the Wickford Arts Association. During college, I was awarded a painting prize and my layout design was selected for the University of Michigan School of Art's Sesquicentennial commemorative book. 

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My husband and I have been avid collectors of contemporary art since we were married and have always enjoyed regular visits to galleries wherever we live or travel to appreciate the breadth and depth of artistic expression that surrounds us. In addition to art, both making and collecting, I'm also passionate about writing, floral design, horticulture, travel, and sports. 

Candid photograph of abstract artist Ann Gralnek. Profile picture

1967

1965 & 1966

Various summer courses at University of the Americas, Mexico City, Radcliffe College, Cambridge, MA and the Kansas City Art Insitute, Kansas City, MO

B.S. in Design, Minor in Journalism

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, School of Architecture and Design

Private Philanthropy

Involved with and knowledge of all facets of grantmaking, serving as a senior program officer, grants administrator, and consultant to private grantmaking foundations, pursuant to years of work in development and comm

Marketing
& Public Relations

Managed significant marketing and public relations programs in food industry and publishing. Work included major restaurant openings and trade show exhibits. 

Community Volunteer

Many years of commitment to myriad civic, cultural, education and health care organizations. Activities have included board memberships, precinct work for passage of local propositions, involvement in elementary, intermediate, and high schools

1973-80;
1997-2006

Program Officer/ Grants Administrator

George Frederick Jewett Foundation

San Francisco, CA

1981-87

Senior Program Officer

W.M. Keck Foundation 

Los Angeles, CA

1987-2014

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Program Consultant

William M. Keck Jr. Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

Program Consultant

J. Philip & Jennifer DiNapoli Foundation

San Jose, CA

Development Advisor

Tech Museum of Innovation 

San Jose, CA

Assistant Director

Southern California Association for Philanthropy

Los Angeles, CA

Director of Development

San Francisco Ballet Association

San Francisco, CA

Public Relations Supervisor

Natural Restaurant Chain

San Francisco, CA / Chicago, IL

Exhibits Manager

Oxford University Press

New York, NY

Teaching

Instructor

Graduate Certificate Program in Arts Administration

Golden Gate University

San Francisco, CA

Art Docent

Let's Look at Art education initiative

San Jose Museum of Art

San Jose, CA

Seminar Leader

Emerging Institutions Program

California Arts Council

CA

Panelist

numerous conferences on myriad aspects of private philathropy

sponsored by national and regional associations 

Boards

Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley

San Jose, CA

Chair of Civic Beautification

Barrington Garden Club

Barrington, RI

Population Resource Center

Washington, D.C.

The Carrver Foundation

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Woodside, CA

Montalvo Arts Center

Saratoga, CA

Foundation for OB/GYN Research and Educators

San Francisco, CA

Los Angeles Children's Museum

Los Angeles, CA

South Bay Friends of Planned Parenthood

Los Angeles, CA

Writing & Public Relations

Wrote & edited monthly  newsletters 

elementary & high schools on Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

Chair of Promotion and Publicity committees 

health care and social service agencies

Designed & wrote quarterly newsletters

City of Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Developed fundraising materials

various nonprofit organizations

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Life in Images 

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