In late 2023, the Arlington Museum of Art welcomed Lorie White as our new Rental Coordinator. But when it comes to Lorie, it would be more accurate to say, “Welcome back.”
As a long-time volunteer and previous staff-member for the AMA, Lorie boasts that she was the first bride to have a wedding reception at the museum in its previous location. That was in 1989!
In her role of Rental Coordinator, she is sharing her passion for art and bringing people together inside the new AMA. She particularly enjoys working with brides and bridal parties, as well as corporate events, birthday parties, and more.
Lorie was raised in Arlington, TX and has chosen it as her home. Lorie has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. In her free time, she loves gathering with friends, traveling, gardening, and loving on her pup, Dixie. Her favorite artists are the French Impressionists; three of those are Monet, Degas and Cassatt (merci beaucoup to Mme. Phemister at Arlington High School for those introductions).
Q&A with Lorie
AMA: It’s happening! What does the move to the new AMA mean to you personally?
Lorie: It is a long time coming. As someone who has been a venue renter, brought in an artist for an exhibit, worked off and on as an staffer, volunteered for multiple events for the museum and other non-profits, I am thrilled with all the new space provides to EVERYone!
AMA: Talk about why building community in this way is important to the AMA as a part of its mission and how the new AMA location is better suited for community engagement.
Lorie: Oh gosh, there are so many options for groups to meet in the museum, and we will have numerous public engagement opportunities for the community to be involved in.
AMA: You’ve been involved with the AMA for years as a volunteer, advocate, and as a part-time staff member. What makes the AMA special?
Lorie: It is a labor of LOVE for so many of our staff and volunteers. Sometimes grassroots is the best way to have success.
I’m so excited to see the AMA become a world-class museum in scale as well as quality! It’s a dream come true to finally be able to provide the community with all the amazing exhibits that are being planned, not to mention the unlimited opportunities for engagement.
AMA: Talk about some of the amazing features/benefits of the new spaces inside the AMA. What makes them so cool as rental spaces?
Lorie: The venues inside our new location offer so much variety and flexibility! The Community Gallery will hold over 400 people and will be the go-to for large events and receptions. We also have the Boardroom which will hold around 30 for smaller events.
The Black Box will be another good space. One bride I’m working with already said she had to have it for her wedding because she’s a theater fan! It will hold 330 on risers. The Education Center also has four classrooms and its own gallery, so it’s very flexible for events or can be used as the perfect “green room.”
AMA: What are some of the welcome challenges you are facing as you envision and execute private events in a much larger space?
Lorie: We will be able to offer several events at the same time and for a variety of sizes to accommodate those groups.
AMA: How does a larger building help the AMA better serve its community and advance the arts?
Lorie: Our spaces are available to non-profits at a discount and groups will be able to purchase tickets to the exhibits.
AMA: Art matters! Why does it matter to you?
Lorie: Art expands our knowledge of the world. Art makes us feeeeelllll.
