THE RAGDALE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

(October 6, 2011– LAKE FOREST, IL) The Ragdale Foundation, the acclaimed artists’ residency in Lake Forest, recently announced Cynthia Quick as its new Director of Communications and Programs. Cynthia has served the Chicago area arts community for over a decade promoting its artists through innovative programming and events, such as Chicago Artists Month, the annual, citywide celebration of visual artists in October. 

Ragdale Executive Director, Susan Tillett said, “Having known Cynthia as a colleague for many years, I am delighted to welcome her to the Ragdale staff.  She brings wonderful experience and contacts to help us connect Ragdale with Chicago.” “I am eager to begin this new chapter at Ragdale and to continue creating a bridge between exceptional artists and the public.” said Quick.  “It’s a privilege to join Ragdale’s team and to forward its long tradition of offering an outstanding artists' residency program.” 

Cynthia  Quick comes to Ragdale from an independent, arts consulting practice where she developed a range of cultural programs, partnerships and special events for clients, such as the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, The Cliff Dwellers, Mordine & Company Dance Theater, the Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art and the Chinese Fine Arts Society. 

Previously, Cynthia served as Director of Program Development at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs for eight years where she conceived and implemented a wide range of arts events throughout Chicago, at the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. These free, public programs, which supported and promoted the visual art, dance and international performance communities in Chicago, included: Chicago Artists Month; DanceBridge, an ongoing three month residencies for the creation of new work; The MVP Series: Multicultural Voices and Perspectives, a performing arts series, among others. 

Cynthia is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a major in Latin American Studies and Communications and lives in Logan Square, Chicago with her husband.   

Ragdale is located on Arts and Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw’s Lake Forest summer retreat, just 30 miles north of Chicago.  Built in 1897, the Ragdale House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  In 1976, Shaw’s granddaughter Alice Judson Hayes transformed her family’s summer home into an artist’s community providing time and space for artists to create important new work.  Today Ragdale hosts up to 200 artists, writers, and composers each year, making it the largest interdisciplinary artist’s community in the Midwest and the fourth largest in the country.  Noted past residents include Jane Hamilton, Alex Kotlowitz and Audrey Niffenegger.  For more information on any of Ragdale’s programs or Ragdale’s history, please visit www.ragdale.org or call (847) 234-1063 x. 205. 

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