San Andreas, CA…With “Arts” full of gratitude, the Calaveras Arts Council announces the well-deserved retirement of Executive Director, Mary Jane Genochio. A long-time resident of Calaveras County, Genochio first became involved with the Arts Council at the organization’s annual Cajun Fete, where, as she often said, she found herself “in charge of spreading butter on the garlic bread’’. She increased her involvement with the Arts Council through the years, serving as co-executive director with Penny West. When West retired in 2011, Genochio was appointed Executive Director. “Running a rural arts council isn’t easy,” West said. “You have to outreach everything, from music to gallery art to arts in education, not to mention finding funds in a small area of limited resources. Mary Jane took it all on. I applaud her for that.” Over the last five years, Genochio has secured the artists for the county’s beloved Music in the Parks series and highly acclaimed Ovations concert series, vigorously promoted local artists across a wide range of genres and mediums, and protected the financial stability of the Arts Council during an era of unprecedented national economic hardship. While she is retiring, Genochio won’t be too far away; the Board of Directors recently voted to include Genochio as one of its members.

Stepping into the position of Interim Executive Director is arts advocate and retired banker Kathy Mazzaferro.
Mazzaferro joined the Calaveras County Arts Council Board of Directors in the fall of 2015 and was appointed Board Treasurer. A Calaveras County native, Mazzaferro has been a prominent advocate for the performing arts and an active community volunteer, having worked with organizations including Calaveras Sings Theatre Arts Repertory for Kids, the Friends of the Calaveras County Fair (founding member), Sober Grad Night Foundation (co-chair), the Valley Springs Boosters, and the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Foundation, among others.
Mazzaferro will serve as the interim Executive Director the remainder of 2016, giving the Arts Council time to conduct the required state advertising and posting of the job.
“I am delighted and honored to fill the position of Interim Executive Director for an organization whose work I greatly admire,” Mazzaferro said. “I have big shoes to fill in Mary Jane’s wake, and our community is indebted to her years of service and advocacy. It is my hope to continue the tradition of excellence she has established, and to seek new ways that the Arts Council can broaden its reach and scope.”

Current office manager, Wendy Muster, will be moving on as well. For the past two and a half years, Muster has been Genochio’s good right hand and has been integral in the smooth and skillful administration of Arts Council business. Muster is looking forward to spending more time in her beloved San Francisco. The board is delaying any decisions on bringing a new office manager on board at this time.

The Calaveras Arts Council will be hosting a “Sunday in the Park with the Arts Council” picnic on Sunday, May 1, at 5:00 at the Mokelumne Hill Community Park to recognize these three outstanding leaders and community members. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and join the Arts Council in thanking Genochio and Muster, and meeting Mazzaferro. For more information, please contact the Calaveras County Arts Council on Tuesday – Thursday from 11am – 6pm, and Friday – Saturday from 11am – 3pm at 209.754.1774.