Schenck is an artist and retired museum curator. He was born and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he also attended the California College of the Arts (BFA) and Mills College (MFA). He has held professional curatorial and arts-administration positions at the Walnut Creek Civic Arts Gallery; Kala Institute in Berkeley; Scottsdale (Arizona) Center for the Arts; Hearst Art Gallery at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga; Mendocino Arts Center in Mendocino; and the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah.

Schenck has also taught various college art and art history courses. He and his wife, Colleen, moved to Philo in the late 1990s, where they continue to refurbish their 1927 Craftsman home and 1913 barn studio.

Regarding his own art, Schenck says, “For the last twenty years, I have concentrated on landscape painting in mostly a Post-Impressionist style. Recently, I have been doing more abstract pieces related to my earlier dream imagery/visionary style. Both the landscape and dream-imagery pieces are based in landscape imagery and a love of rich color. The dream-imagery works tend to present a poignant iconic moment in a story, leaving the viewer to complete the tale. The landscape-focused works frame a scene of nature to rejoice in and meditate on.”

About his potential contributions to the Arts Council Board of Directors, Schenck says, “I think I can bring knowledgeable perspectives based on my forty years of curatorial and arts administration experience, and as a visual artist based in Anderson Valley…. During my fifteen years as curator at the Grace Hudson Museum, and my previous year as director of the Mendocino Art Center, I got to know many Mendocino County artists on the coast as well as inland, and what their needs are. I would like to see more quality venues for local artists to promote and exhibit their works. Perhaps that way we could build a wider audience and collector base. More art in public places projects would also assist in those goals.”

Schenck also expects to bring his curatorial experience and interest to projects such as art exhibits in the lobby of Ukiah’s historic railroad depot, the site of the Arts Council office, in order to highlight artists around the county. Currently displayed in the depot lobby is an exhibit of art by Covelo women.

Furthermore, continued Schenck, “While on the Arts Council board, I would like to work on continuing art-in-the-schools opportunities. Students should be given an education in both hands-on art making and in the rich history and traditions of art from diverse cultures around the world.”

Arts Council Executive Director Alyssum Wier says, “We are very fortunate to have Marvin join the Arts Council board. His many years of curatorial and arts administration experience, his own personal art practice, and his connection to the artists of Anderson Valley and the Mendocino coast will be strong assets and will, we hope, help to expand existing Arts Council programs and services.”

Schenck joins current Arts Council board members Janae Stephens (President), Anne Beck (Vice-President), Brandon Kight (Treasurer), Jenn Procacci (Secretary), Loren Madsen, Susan O. Gordon and Patricia Franklin in their efforts to support the Arts Council’s mission—to enrich the quality of life in Mendocino County through promotion of the arts and cultivation of creative communities.

The Arts Council’s objectives include expanding opportunities for artists and arts organizations, supporting art education, promoting the role of the arts in the local economy, and increasing public awareness of the value of the arts. ACMC also advocates for artists and arts organizations throughout Mendocino County with government, business and tourism leaders.

More information about the Arts Council is available at www.ArtsMendocino.org, or by contacting Executive Director Alyssum Wier at director@artsmendocino.org or 707-463-2727.