THE CROWD

B.W. Cook

Orange County Museum of Art trustee Carl Neisser and his

socially-prominent wife Pat opened their Newport Beach residence to

“celebrate docent excellence” at the local museum. The midweek cocktail

buffet brought together men and women who donate more than money; they

give their time, talent and passion for art as touring docents at the

museum.

Every day, museum visitors are enlightened by the insight and

information provided by the docents. They change lives one visitor at a

time. Often their most important contribution to society is overshadowed

by the more glamorous aspect of museum fund-raising.

At the Orange County Museum of Art, a docent council exists and is

named for benefactors Camile and Eric Durand.

“The purpose of the council is to work with the education department

of the museum to conduct tours of the exhibitions and to provide

educational experiences for museum visitors,” commented Harriet Gomes

Selna, president of the docent council.

Selna continued, “The docents help visitors learn how to look at any

art, whether or not they have a docent to guide them.”

The museum currently operates two locations -- the Newport Beach

museum near Fashion Island and an annex at South Coast Plaza. The docents

work at both locations, as well as assisting in special programs offered

in community schools.

Elena Arrojo, director of education at the museum, was on hand at the

Neisser reception to thank the docents and to spread their message.

“We have recently begun working with docents participating in our

nine-month training program,” she said. “The training includes

college-level instruction in art history, designed to give docents a

basic knowledge of modern and contemporary art in addition to information

pertaining to the museum’s permanent collection.”

Arrojo emphasized the museum’s ongoing need for qualified and

dedicated volunteers. In May of 2002, a reception is planned to welcome

prospective participants in the program.

Pat Neisser commented, “Many of the individuals and couples here

tonight have volunteered for years.”

Docent committee members active in the program include such

distinguished local volunteers as Betsy Ginter, Mickey Perlman, Donna

Krapf, Marcie Weig, Aviva Forster, Sandy Beckman, Elizabeth Cohen, Karen

Moyer, Jessica Behrens, Lynn Goldstein, Connie Sakamoto, Diane Spitzkeit,

Sonya Hillman, Kathie Fisher, Dagmar Dreqsike, Joyce Rosenblum and Susan

Clemente, to name only a few.

Guests at the Neisser home sampled delicious passed hors d’oeuvres and

talked about art, culture and education in what was surely a variation on

the age-old round-table theme bringing together a community of people

with a lofty common goal.

To inquire about the Camile and Eric Durand Docent Council at the

Orange County Museum of Art, call Elena Arrojo at (949) 759-1122, Ext.

217.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.