At the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on April 10, the museum recognized Esther Wetzel for her 20 years as an Academy volunteer. After a career as a home economist with the Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Home Service Department, Wetzel became a volunteer assistant in the director’s office. She now helps librarian Ron Chapman, and says that on her way to work, she always makes sure to pass through Gallery 10—she has a soft spot for Monet’s Water Lilies. How long will she continue to serve? “As long as my legs hold out,” she laughs. Wetzel recently found her Academy ID tag from the 1980s—it looks like it was issued yesterday.
The 150 volunteers at the lunch also included some of the museum’s newest recruits, such as Carly Wilson, who began helping with ARTafterDARK last October. “It’s a great way to help others appreciate art,” she says. Wilson loves the Holt Gallery’s Volcano School paintings. “It’s like they come alive.”
Academy staffer Rick Rickard’s band played Hawaiian music as this corps that keeps the museum humming enjoyed mimosas, pastries, frittatas, baked ham and sausages.
-
- Cookie Stephan, Lynne Johnson, Lisa Shugart, and Coral Prince-Wilson
-
- Gary Aiko, Greg Sardinha, Michael Boe, and Rick Ricard serenaded the volunteers.
-
- Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Academy Board of Trustees, congratulates Esther Wetzel on 20 years as a museum volunteer.
-
- Lynne Johnson greets Jean Otake as she arrives at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch.
-
- Lynne Johnson, third from left, congratulates volunteers Martha Loezius, Eileen Lum, Berit Costas, Rose Miller and Dorothy Suiso
-
- Nancy Suzuki-Slakter, Bette Takahashi, Susan Quintal, and Berit Costas
-
- Nina Weber, Mary Kehano, Lynne Johnson and Joan Walsh
-
- Sue Francis and Lynne Johnson
-
- Checking in at the brunch.
-
- One of the many beautiful flower arrangements at the event.
-
- Pastries!
-
- Brunch buffet
-
- Relaxing in the Pavilion Cafe.
-
- Hurrah for Academy volunteers!
