About Us

Co-Chair, Board of Directors

Chair, Programming Committee

Art Educator, Chittenango Central School District

Camille Santangelo Gruner was an Art Educator at Lyons Central School District for 25 years and has since relocated to Baldwinville, NY. She brings nearly 30 years of Art Education experience and a passion for the life and art of Arthur Dove to the board. For many years she lived on the same Canandaigua Outlet that Dove once painted, which sparked some of her initial interest. She is familiar with the sights and surroundings of the Geneva area, just as Dove was, and uses nature and mood to inspire her art as well. Even though her career is dedicated to education, she has had her own artwork selected for the annual Made in New York Show in Auburn NY, and 2 art shows at Wayne County Council for the Arts in Newark, NY. She also has worked with non profit organizations in Lyons completing work in historical research, imaging and gallery display. She currently volunteers with the annual CNY Scholastic Arts Show and Everson Museum Scholastics exhibit to continue her support for inspiring youth and teens in pursuing their interest and passion in art. Currently teaching at the PreK - 5th grade level has led her to rekindle the pure joy of art making with the children she teaches, and in her own work. The spark, the joy, and the pride a child has in their art is the best gift a teacher can have, and that's what she seeks daily. She initiated the youth camps and workshops at the Dove, and you can still catch her currently teaching some of these.

Co-Chair, Board of Directors

Chair, Fundraising Committee

Artist, Geneva, NY

Elizabeth Lincourt is a visual artist, graphic designer, and community arts advocate based in Geneva, New York. She trained at Pratt Institute and brings a deep commitment to making the arts accessible to all, drawing on years of experience as a professional painter, watercolorist, educator, and creative entrepreneur. Her work is held in the permanent collections of Purdue University and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, and can be found in private and public collections across London, Washington D.C., New York State, Minnesota, Florida, Washington State, Indiana, and Ohio.

Elizabeth’s practice centers on building meaningful connections between artists and the community through inclusive programming, exhibitions, and hands-on learning opportunities. As a board member of the Dove Block Project, she plays an active role in shaping the organization’s vision, supporting its mission of providing free arts education and cultural experiences, and fostering partnerships that strengthen the Finger Lakes creative community. Her leadership reflects both a strong artistic practice and a practical understanding of how creative spaces can thrive as vital community anchors.

Honorary Arthur Dove Chair

Professor of Sociology Emeritus: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Jim Spates is a retired professor of sociology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, and Vice President of the Dove Block Restoration Group. He taught at HWS for 43 years and has always been interested in modern art. He believes this chance to elevate the story of Arthur Dove’s history in Geneva and his importance in contemporary American art is a remarkable opportunity for the city; Jim is delighted to be part of this important project.

Treasurer

Director Emeritus, Geneva Historical Society Graduate, Hobart College

With over four decades of community service to various Geneva organizations and agencies dedicated to promoting and improving Geneva, Charlie Bauder has an extensive knowledge of Geneva’s History. Charlie has twenty years of banking experience along with knowledge and appreciation for the work of Arthur Dove and his influence on the development of Modern Art. Charlie is familiar with the Dove family and had a personal friendship with Arthur’s brother Paul Dove.

Secretary/ Archivist

Born, raised, and educated in Geneva, NY, Steve holds a lifelong passion for local history. Prior to joining The Dove Block Project he served as Secretary - Archivist for both the Dove Block Restoration Group, and the Arthur Dove Tribute Group. Decades before its restoration, he worked for a business within the Dove building and would often be persuaded to lead unofficial flashlight tours of Arthur Dove's abandoned, top floor studio.

Chair, Facilities Committee

Associate Professor of Art and Architecture: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Gabriella is a designer and educator in the City of Geneva, exploring art and architecture as a means of revitalizing, inspiring and engaging communities, She is excited and hopeful that the Dove Block Project will bring great energy to Geneva and the arts.

Professor of Art and Archaeology: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Rachael Z. DeLue is the Christopher Binyon Sarofim ’86 Professor in American Art in the Department of Art & Archaeology at Princeton University and current Chair of the department. At Princeton, DeLue holds a joint appointment with the Program in American Studies. She specializes in the history of American and transatlantic art and visual culture, with particular focus on the intersection of the history of art and the history of science. Her book, Arthur Dove: Always Connect, appeared in 2016, and she has also published George Inness and the Science of Landscape (2004), Landscape Theory (with James Elkins, 2008), and Picturing (2016). She has been involved in the Dove Block Project since 2017.

Co-Chair, Public Relations Committee

Visual Artist and Communications Professional: Ontario, NY

Phyllis Bryce Ely is a Rochester-based visual artist regarded for her plein air and studio paintings in oil and wax-based media. Her work is inspired by the landscapes of upstate New York, Lake Ontario, and the Finger Lakes region. Phyllis holds a BFA in painting and printmaking from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her work has been juried into national and international exhibits, received many recognitions, and is held in numerous public and private collections. Phyllis works from her studio at The Hungerford Building in Rochester, NY and is an active member of International Encaustic Artists, Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters (treasurer), Working with Wax of Western New York, and the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. Phyllis is a past plein air, drawing, and painting instructor at the Memorial Art Gallery. She is represented by the Oxford Gallery in Rochester, NY. In her professional life outside the studio, Phyllis was the Director of Marketing and Branding for a start-up software company for nearly 20 years. Following that she served as Communications Director for the Town of Penfield, NY, recently retiring in 2021. Phyllis has experience in marketing, branding, internal and external communications, and supporting all aspects of municipal government including citizen engagement and planning. Her background also includes several years of art gallery management and exhibit installation in commercial and public spaces. Phyllis is excited to connect her enthusiasm for the modernist Arthur Dove with her varied work skills to support the goals of the Dove Block Project to raise global awareness of Dove’s impact on American art, increase regional knowledge of the importance of his work while in Geneva, and support the growth of contemporary art in Geneva, NY.

Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Microbiology and Pediatrics: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

A native of Geneva, Dr. George Abraham graduated from Hobart College After graduation, Abraham went on to earn both his master of science degree and medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo. Abraham's medical career took him to California, New York and Washington, D.C. where he worked on a variety of national initiatives surrounding cancer research and treatment. With this focus, he returned to Upstate New York where he served in a variety of leadership positions at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in addition to Director of the Center on Aging and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. A dedicated philanthropist, Abraham serves on the Board of the Geneva Arts Development Council as well as The Dove Block Project.