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Gale Fulton Ross
 The works of Fulton Ross are not easily categorized. As a classically trained artist, the "figurative" has remained while the dreamlike abstractions, either in the foreground or background are an integral part of her art.
Initially trained as a museum curator, Fulton Ross received early acclaim as a portrait artist of such African American luminaries as Jackie Robinson, Justice Thurgood Marshall and A. Phillip Randolph among others.
Her "private" works began to be shown in the San Francisco Bay area in the late sixties. Serious note was taken of her ability to convey a mood, a sensitivity, an inner view to the psyche that the viewer can actually feel. Now, as then, it is the rare artist that paints from the introspective soul, eschewing the trends.
Fulton Ross’ deeply expressive paintings generate contradictory feelings within the audience. While Woe Is Me is viewed by many as a melancholic, even tragic work. Others feel that the sunshine yellow dress worn by the subject belies that feeling. This is the same artist who painted Laughing Man and Mrs. Whitehead, works that defy you not to smile much less laugh out loud.
Gale acknowledges that her art is autobiographical. As an African American she is proud and aware of her cultural heritage celebrated in some of her works. A dichotomy arises and she is quoted saying "I am not a Black artist, I am an American artist who happens to paint what I know, what I live and what I understand."
Her statements on art, race and gender generally reflect the fact that she feels labels and categories not only restrict us but create distance and division. When viewing Fulton Ross work we experience emotions that are universal.
Click here to visit fultonross.com.
Mary L. Mapp
 Mary, a long-time Sarasota resident, has joined the Fulton-Ross Foundation as Executive Director. In addition to being president of Excel Insurance Professionals, Inc. for several years, Ms. Mapp has served on the Suncoast Workforce Development Board, the Family and Child Development Board of Directors and has been involved in several local charity fund-raising events for non-profit organizations.
Ms. Mapp’s experience in human resource management and executive level positions will greatly benefit the Fulton-Ross Foundation. The Foundation will utilize her talents in several areas, including the Artists’ Pension Fund. This innovative fund will benefit local artists in providing a secure, retirement fund based on their talents and contribution of selected works.
Fayanne Hayes
Ms. Hayes is an experienced developer of interactive educational experiences for museum environments and learning centers. Ms. Hayes develops opportunities and experiences that integrate multiple disciplines in creative expression, and promote dialogue, interaction, collaboration, diversity and community-building. As senior education specialist and curator of education exhibitions for the Ringling Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida. She designed and curated collaborative community-building projects, hands-on education installations, interactive gallery experiences and interpretive materials. She has worked collaboratively with diverse community organizations to create community-building, exhibitions. Fayanne Hayes hold a BFA, from the Ringling School of Art and Design and MA, Art Education, with an emphasis in interactive learning, from the University of South Florida. Ms. Hayes is project manager for Springuel Consulting, Inc. a firm specializing in strategic and interpretive planning for museums. She has been a presenter at national conferences and has served on state and local grant review panels. |
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