Local artist Carolyn Gabbe has joined the board of Midcoast Conservancy. Prior to her painting career, Gabbe spent more than 20 years working in non-profit organizations, private business and associations. Her professional experience includes strategic planning, program development, financial management, fund raising, marketing, communications and research. She began her business career after earning her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and a master’s degree in performing arts management from The American University.

Before leaving Washington, D.C., she was director of development for the National Cultural Alliance, a coalition of 52 national service organizations in the arts and humanities. In Bucks County, she provided consulting and coaching services to organizations and individuals in the Delaware Valley. Gabbe also worked with the New Jersey State Council for the Arts, where she served as a community cultural planning consultant and as a peer review panelist for Community Arts Collaboration Grants.

Gabbe lives and works in Nobleboro, where she and her husband have owned a home since 2000. In 2015 she became a full-time Maine resident after completing the four-year professional painting program at Nelson and Leona Shanks’ Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia. Her work has been shown at galleries in Philadelphia and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine and New Mexico.

The Midcoast Conservancy Board looks forward to benefiting from her perspective and experience as the organization heads into its second year of work supporting healthy lands, waters and communities in Midcoast Maine through conservation, outdoor adventure and learning. For more information, go to www.midcoastconservancy.org or call (207) 389-5150.