Meet Courtney Gardner | Fine Arts Museum Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Gardner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My background is I am from Virginia.I was so lucky as a child that my parents took me to museums, plays, and concerts. Can you picture a world without color, melodies, or stories that whisk us away to magical realms? Such a world would be a bland canvas devoid of the vibrancy that makes life interesting. My parents, the architects of my experience, gave me a precious legacy – the gift of the arts. Museums became my playground of curiosity, plays my portals to parallel worlds, and concerts my symphonies of inspiration.

Because of this, I served on the Virginia Symphony Board for ten years; I am a Director of an Art Museum and secured the capital funds to build a Nature and Science Museum expansion. I am passionate about the arts and owe that to my parents.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I spent ten years as the Peninsula Fine Art Center Director in Virginia. We were lucky to be an accredited museum by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The PFAC was like the Pearl Fincher Museum it was a non-collecting museum. I have been through the accreditation. process three times in my career, so I am fortunate to bring that experience to the Pearl Fincher. We have a vision to be accredited.

Accreditation elevates that responsibility, painting a canvas of trust between the museum and its supporters. It’s like standing under the spotlight, declaring, “We’re not just about art; we’re about commitment, integrity, and crafting an experience that’s worth every penny.”

Accreditation isn’t just a pat on the back; it’s a golden key that opens doors to a treasure trove of resources. It’s like receiving a magical brush that lets us paint our vision on a larger canvas, enhancing our facilities and the essence of our artistic vision.

There are no boundaries in being an executive director. Can it be hard? Yes, of course, because you need to be able to engage the community, produce high-quality programs and exhibitions, fundraise, fundraise, fundraise, demonstrate you can handle management and complicated situations, and entertain in the evenings.

But is it worth all the time and effort? Of course, it is. Truly, it is my honor to have stewarded the mission of the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts for the past three years. It certainly is an actual labor of love for me!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have only lived in Texas for about three years, so I am still exploring this great community. Thus far, my favorite spots to take visitors in Houston, of course, include the Museum District! I love taking my fellow art lovers to the Menil, Rothko Chapel, Fine Arts Museum, Houston, and Bayou Bend.

I love the food in Houston. Some of my favorite places to eat include Flora Houston, Rainbow Lodge, Tris, Trulucks, Turners, The Tiny Boxwoods, and Perry’s Steakhouse. I love lunch at the Good Dog Houston, the Orginal Ninfa’s, Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, and Kenny and Ziggy’s. I think the restaurant scene in the Houston area is fantastic. I love to brunch at both Fielding’s, where the Mimosa flights and Blood Mary flights are great fun.

My history loving friends I take to the San Jacinto Battle Monument and Museum and to Galveston to explore the houses and the Bryan Museum.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am proud to serve as the Director of the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts!

Website: www.pearlmfa.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyegardner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlfinchermfa

Image Credits
We have permission to use these images as they were taken by the Pearl Fincher Museum.

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