About Curator Circle

Curator Circle is NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale’s new affinity group designed for the Next Generation of art enthusiasts, aspiring collectors, and Museum supporters!

This unique and exciting membership gives you the opportunity to directly participate in the Museum’s permanent collection by contributing to the Acquisition Fund dedicated to the selection and purchase of art works, while enjoying the benefits of stimulating and engaging events, and exclusive access to the art world.

As stated in the Modern Luxury Magazine March 2023 issue, ‘’Access and engagement are at the core of Bonnie Clearwater’s vision for NSU Art Museum’s Curator Circle’’.

We have started this extraordinary journey with the successful launch event hosted at Dalmar Hotel by the committee members on November 17, 2021. Many prominent art experiences have highlighted the first year, such as the visit of Martin Z. Margulies’s outstanding private collection, Miami Art Week special access, and Christie’s Miami events. We also had a blast at Superblue and enjoyed artist presentations by Jared McGriff, Thomas Bills and Christopher Carter, Keith Haring and Pierre Alechinsky, Lux et Veritas exhibitions openings, and more recently, Picturing Fame.

In March 2023, the Unveiling Reception marked a new milestone in NSU Art Museum’s history: the first artwork to enter the permanent collection thanks to the exceptional dedication and support of Curator Circle members. Congratulations to artists Zoe Schweiger and Kathia St. Hilaire, whose paintings High Tide and Tout Moun Se Yo Moun were chosen for this honor. Zoe had a solo exhibition at the Museum in the Summer of 2023, which included this painting. The label credits Curator Circle for providing the funds for the purchase.

We are building a strong, diverse, and inclusive art community in Fort Lauderdale with art that will inspire future generations. We are proud of our members’ dedication and thankful for their vital support.

Patrons like you, who genuinely support the arts, make it possible for NSU Art Museum to accomplish its mission of ‘’All the Arts for All the People’’ as Bonnie Clearwater stated in a recent interview.

We invite you to be part of a fantastic art community and experience the full benefit of supporting NSU Art Museum: live the best art experiences, finest exhibitions, and engaging events!

Now is the best moment to join! Your contribution makes it possible for the Museum to continue presenting exceptional exhibitions and to offer diverse, innovative, and dynamic educational programs to all. Indeed, this is the direct consequence of your support for the Curator Circle and the Acquisition Fund. Supporting South Florida’s emerging art scene is essential!

Please click below to become a Curator Circle member (the group is almost at capacity, 50 persons).

We count on each one of you to help us achieve the Curator Circle goal and proudly contribute to the Broward art community.
Thank You!

Curator Circle Membership benefits

$2,525 | 1 year ($2,285 charitable portion)
For the next generation of art collectors and enthusiasts
• includes Benefactor level benefits, plus
• special annual member reception with curator presentation
• voting privileges for art purchase consideration
• invitations to exhibition previews
• invitation-only educational and social events
• access to Miami Art Week perks (virtual and in-person)
• 15 complimentary Museum guest passes
• $1,000 of membership fee is dedicated to a special fund for Museum art acquisitions.

Become a Curator Circle Member

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Curator Circle Committee Members

Dionne Absheer

President of Corporate Move Management Services, Inc (CMMS) Est. 2005

CMMS specializes in Relocation/Move and Project Management Services for large-scale companies.

Dionne is also very active in the community as a volunteer and is involved in various organizations.

She is a member of Beaux Arts (NSU Museum), The Women’s Executive Club of Ft Lauderdale (WECFTL), The Royal Dames of Cancer Research, Women Know Y, and Lux Ladies.

Theresa Christie

A graduate with a B.S. in Regional Development from the University of Arizona. Theresa was formerly a teacher for Mesa Public Schools where she taught Geography and American History, she also enjoyed teaching Microsoft Word, Excel and HTML classes at Avaya, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. She served on the Beaux Arts Board for four years, is currently a member of Beaux Arts Fort Lauderdale, and has been involved in fundraising for NSU Art Museum throughout those years. She is the wife of Ted Christie and the mother of two teenagers. She enjoys playing tennis, running, skiing, art, reading and traveling.

Lori Franke

Lori Franke, and her husband Kirk, are longtime contemporary art collectors and supporters of the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale. Lori was one of the founding members of Cobra Circle before growing her membership to Curator Circle and served on the Board of Governors as Ex Officio during her two years as President of Beaux Arts, NSU Art Museum’s auxiliary group. Currently a Regional Account Executive with AbbVie and mother to teen sons Carson and Crosby, she continues to volunteer for Beaux-Arts and Broward County Schools.

Dawn Elise Hamilton

Owner and principal designer at DawnElise Interiors International, Inc., a Fort Lauderdale-based interior design firm. Born and raised in the New York metropolitan area, Dawn earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, where she majored in Art History. Subsequently, she worked at various world-renowned museums, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, El Museo del Barrio, and The Museum of the Moving Image. Design has always been a passion of hers, so after moving to South Florida, Dawn launched DawnElise Interiors in 2006 and has been building a reputation as a top-tier interior designer ever since.

Whitney Lane

Whitney is on the NSU Art Museum Board of Governors and a founding member of the Curator’s Circle. She resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her husband, Matthew Lane, and two children. Whitney has a B.A. from the University of Miami and M.S. CCC-SLP from Columbia University. In addition to her enthusiasm for art, she enjoys family time, playing tennis, reading, and traveling.

Sheryl Maher

A retired Chief Marketing Officer from Phillips PetFood and Supplies and VP of Sales and Marketing at Virbac Laboratories. After retiring, fundraising for meaningful organizations has become her passion. Sheryl serves on boards including the Foundation Board for the Lehigh Valley Charter Arts School, Bethlehem, PA and is the current past President of PAWS for the Broward County Humane
Society. She has served as president for three years, vice president for two years and co-chaired four galas, as well as several other events in the last six years. Sheryl is a recent art enthusiast and started collecting mid-century and modern art over the last eight years. While she has collected some important pieces, the real value is when the piece speaks to her.

Mark R. Richards

A seasoned operating executive with 30 years of senior-level executive experience, including over 20 years in the C-Suite running large, global industrial businesses. Mark has 20 years
of board experience performing various roles, including board chair and serving on all standing committees. Mark is a member and a founding chapter President of the Private Directors Association (PDA), a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to driving excellent practice in board formation and governance within private and family businesses. In addition, Mr. Richards is a certified Board Leadership Fellow from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the highest level of credentialing for corporate directors and corporate governance professionals. Mark is passionate about performing and fine arts, wellness programming, and access to healthcare. He has served as a Trustee for the Appleton Performing Arts Center, a nationally recognized, award-winning performing arts center, and Thedacare Hospital, a nationally recognized leader in applying lean principles to a healthcare setting to control costs while improving care. Mark has been a long-term fundraiser for United Way, Trout Museum of Art, Habitat for Humanity, and Catalpa, a novel delivery system for addressing community-wide adolescent behavioral health issues in rural counties. Mr. Richards co-founded Fusion, a women’s affinity group focused on leadership development and C-Suite sponsorship and grew to over 700 members.

Lauren Sperber

Mother of three children and the wife of Andrew Sperber. She is a Fort Lauderdale native and has supported NSU Art Museum for several years. She is a philanthropist and co-founder of
the Childhood Cancer Project. In addition to her nonprofit work, she is an interior designer, which includes her passion for the arts.

Kristin Cline Wurzak

Kristin Cline Wurzak is the president of Dayton-Granger Inc., a leader in the design, testing, and manufacture of Antennas, Electrostatics and Lightning Protection products. Dayton-Granger is a globally recognized company that is trusted to provide the most critical products for flight safety.

Kristin was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. She grew up working in her family’s Aerospace Manufacturing company, Dayton-Granger Inc, (DG). Kristin attended the University of Miami for her undergraduate studies. Kristin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BBA in Finance from the University of Miami and then went on to NSU Shepard Broad Law School, where she received her Juris Doctorate degree. Kristin successfully passed the Florida Bar afterwards.

In addition, and most important to her, Kristin is dedicated and devoted to her family– two children- Leila and James, husband, parents and brother. Kristin is excited to see the growth and success of the NSU Art Museum and is proud to support the museum.

Zachariah “Reggie” P. Zachariah, Jr.

Zachariah “Reggie” P. Zachariah, Jr., a shareholder in the firm’s Corporate Practice in Fort Lauderdale and focuses his practice on private equity transactions; mergers and acquisitions; corporate restructurings and counseling boards and senior management on strategic business, corporate formation and governance, financial and transactional matters. Reggie’s specific industry experience includes healthcare technology and services, education, insurance, manufacturing, franchises, retail, and infrastructure. Before law school, he was a financial analyst, focusing on mergers & acquisitions for a public company.