Deb Bentlage has recently joined the Phippen Art Museum staff as the new Museum Curator. Possessing a BFA degree in photography from a Midwestern college with a heavy course emphasis in art history, Deb moved to Arizona three years ago after working in Manhattan for a consumer products subsidiary of Altria Group for almost 12 years as a Senior Manager in special web applications and strategic projects for the marketing services purchasing department. While at the same company, she also served as their Quality Assurance Manager for marketing services and initially started as a Lead Purchasing Manager for marketing services with a staff of 15 buyers reporting to her. As a recent transplant to Arizona from the East Coast, her 25+ year career has included producing award winning work in film production, direct mail, photography, advertising, marketing, public relations, purchasing and e-business solutions.
Before accepting the position at the Phippen, Deb was serving as the asst. regional manager for North Central Region of the Arizona Community Foundation, primarily supporting the Sedona and Yavapai County Community Foundations. Her responsibilities in that position focused on administering the grants programs and working with local nonprofit organizations. She also worked as the Fund Development Manager for the Sedona Arts Center where she worked on the team responsible for grants submission and reporting, supported the Board fund development committee efforts and was involved with donor special event planning, as well as event sponsorships and other arts center activities related to fundraising.
"American Western Art portrays such a wonderful part of our country's unique heritage and history," Bentlage said. "It will be marvelous to be part of the Phippen's efforts to preserve and help cultivate the wonderful permanent collection that has been established over the years by the people involved in the acquisition of these beautiful sculptures and paintings at the museum. I am sincerely looking forward to and grateful for the opportunity to work closely with Kim, the staff, the Board of Directors, and especially the Collections Committee, to help further promote these efforts as the new curator."
The Phippen Museum is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit with the mission of perpetuating the unique heritage, mythology and influence of American Western Art. The Museum opened in 1984 and was named after Arizona resident and founding member of the Cowboy Artists of America, George Phippen. The Museum is located just minutes from down town Prescott, at 4701 Highway 89 North. For additional information please call (928) 778-1385 or visit our website at www.phippenartmuseum.org.
For more information please call (928) 778-1385.