Submitted by event Co-Chairs Annamarie Hellebusch & Debbie Vozzo
Sustaining members of the Junior League of Philadelphia gathered at The Union League’s Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill on September 27 for the fall dinner and evening program. While mingling, many enjoyed a spectacular view from the event room of the beautiful fall foliage before sunset.
Our speaker, Bill Valerio, PhD, who is the Director and CEO of Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill engaged 44 Sustainers in a wonderful discussion about the stories of artists in Philadelphia. Dr. Valerio was born in Italy and came to Philadelphia in 2002 to attend Wharton. Dr. Valerio said, “In the two years of my education, I came to realize Philadelphia is a wonderful place to live, and I became involved through MBA internships with the Philadelphia Museum of Art. After many years here, I was offered a position at the Woodmere.”
Dr. Valerio shared with the audience that Woodmere is undergoing a major expansion as it renovates a newly acquired estate, which is named the Frances M. Maqurie Hall for Art and Education. Woodmere will create fourteen new galleries for its collection and an art studio for education.
Dr. Valerio was an engaging and incredibly knowledgeable speaker and art historian. It was a wonderful evening and a great start to the JLP Sustainer year.