Board of Directors

Celia, youngest daughter of Harry Bertoia, has a background in real estate and fundraising, and created the foundation in 2013. Her biographical book, The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia, came out in 2015. She is a fine arts appraiser as a member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). She teaches post war art classes, and lectures widely. You will find her at the St George gallery most days.

A previous gallery owner and real estate appraiser, in his retirement years Bill has never stopped dealing in and learning more about fine art, especially Bertoia. His assistance in inventorying estate pieces and his years of studying the art market have imparted valuable input for the foundation. He personally knew both Harry and Brigitta, and his expertise on Bertoia techniques is unsurpassed.

A Swedish born design guru who has worked with Charles and Ray Eames, spent decades as the Director of Design with Knoll, won design awards too numerous to count, has recently reopened his own industrial design practice in New York City. His expertise not only in all forms of design, but patent and trademark issues, business practices, and marketing makes him completely useful at the foundation. It was Carl who co-founded the Knoll Museum in East Greenville, Pennsylvania in which many original Bertoias, both sculpture and chairs, plus 60+ years of other archival furniture items, are displayed.

Mary has held various management positions at Mattel Toys which has given her broad insight into marketing and business practice. Her insightful suggestions and new ideas are nothing less than genius. She serves as bookkeeper and secretary for the Foundation. Mary carries passionate enthusiasm for Harry Bertoia.

Francesca Cigola is an Italian-born, New York-based architect, writer, and curator. As an art practices project director, she specializes in art and cultural project management and has collaborated with various cultural institutions in New York and internationally. Her research and writings focus on the intersection of art, architecture, and landscape. She is the author of Art Parks; A Tour of America’s Sculpture Parks and Gardens (Princeton Architectural Press, 2013). We are delighted to have a brilliant woman who speaks fluent Italian!

Greg Wittkopp, Director of the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, has been shaping and stewarding Cranbrook’s collection for more than three decades. He has conducted major projects including restoration of the Saarinen House, and the creation of a $22 million state-of-the-art Collections Wing. His publications include Saarinen House and Garden: A Total Work of Art, and an essay in Paul Evans: Crossing Boundaries and Crafting Modernism. He holds an MA in Art History from Wayne State University and a BS in Architecture from the University of Michigan. We are so pleased to have his expertise, knowledge and person on our board!

Jeffrey Hughes, Art History Ph.D., U of Iowa, earned two other prestigious art history degrees. Jeffrey is currently an Art History Professor at Webster University in St Louis, as well as directing the university’s Cecille R. Hunt Gallery. He has successfully procured and enacted dozens of grants. Jeffrey has curated over forty exhibitions of contemporary artists. He has written numerous articles, reviews, press releases, papers and essays for national magazines, scholarly publications and exhibition catalogs. We are more than happy to have his expertise and experience on the Bertoia board.

Roger, just like his name, is straightforward and simple but very effective. He is the President of Spinneybeck, a home furnishings manufacturing company of natural materials who works closely with Knoll and other major furniture companies. His negotiating experience, contract knowledge and general business acumen have served the Foundation very well.

Eva Ives has contributed to several catalogues raisonnées including Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichtenstein. She is a project manager, researcher, archivist and collections specialist with extensive experience working on catalogues. Her background in both fine art and design contexts matches our artist perfectly. She has organized and managed research projects covering everything from external communications to deep archival research. Being based in New York gives her access to all of the city’s archival and museum resources. We are excited to have her on our team.