On June 10, we put out the welcome mat — plus delectable goodies — for former AGO volunteers at the 2nd annual Volunteer Alumni Tea.

“They gave many years of dedicated service to the AGO and are still extremely interested in it,” says Shelagh Barrington, a Gallery Guide and also chair of the Volunteer Alumni. “This tea is one of the ways we keep them informed about what’s happening at the Gallery, and give everyone a chance to catch up with old friends as well.”

Shelagh (right, above) welcomed participants, and introduced a number of staff and current volunteers, who each provided an update on some aspect of changes and programs at the Gallery.

Holly Procktor (left, above), for example, coordinator Volunteer Resource Management, spoke about numbers and trends in volunteer recruitment, including the growing use of temporary volunteer placements for ticketed exhibitions and for youth programs such as the upcoming Summer Camp.

Our in-coming co-presidents of the Volunteer Executive, Ann Wilcox and Debbie Kennedy, also spoke.  Ann discussed the evolution of the Information Guide role under coordinator Jenny Reiger, and Debbie invited the Alumni to this year’s Volunteer Annual Gathering (Monday October 6, so mark your calendars).

Brenda Rix, of Prints & Drawings, talked about the new monthly “theme” approach to P&D activities such as Artful Conversation, with June for example featuring “A Date with James Tissot.”

Melissa Smith, coordinator of the Gallery Guides, also spoke to the group.

She discussed the evolution of tour times and themes, the new emphasis on interacting with tour participants rather than lecturing to them, and innovations such as the “On the Dot” talks and our range of special tours for groups with special needs.

Final speaker: Gallery Guide Fran Bleviss, who shared some observations about Francis Bacon and Henry Moore, their lives and works, and why and how they had been paired in our current ticketed exhibition.

After that, Fran accompanied interested Alumni up to the show, and circulated with them as they contemplated the art in each of the rooms — starting with, at Fran’s urging, the contrasting entryway photos of the two men’s studios. (Go look for yourself. You’ll see why she thinks those photos are so revealing.)

“This is a wonderful way to stay in touch,” said one alumna as she headed for the exhibition. “I’m still an AGO member of course, I think most of us are, but these alumni gatherings are special. They keep us informed, and involved, and make us feel we’re still part of the community.”