Meet Our Founder

Arlene Greer: Member of the Arts Commission

With over four decades of experience bringing world class art to public places, Arlene Greer has combined her passion for art, her respect for the environment and her understanding of the intricacies of establishing and presenting art in public places to create spaces that celebrate community and the environment while providing an artistic refuge from daily stress.

As Vice Chair of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera and the Long Beach Ballet Company, Arlene not only coordinated national tours but brought these productions to the community through presentations in schools, senior centers and neighborhood parks, allowing the public to enjoy the beauty and wonder of major productions on a local, intimate level.

Instrumental in the early development of the Orange County School for the Performing Arts, Arlene was a fundamental, driving force in establishing the philosophy and direction of what has become one of California’s premier performing arts institutes.

As Chair of the Newport Beach Arts Commission, to which she was just recently was appointed to an unprecedented third term, Arlene continues to expand her vision of making art an integral part of community life. She has just finished curating and installing Phase Seven of the Newport Beach Sculpture Garden exhibition while simultaneously collaborating with the Newport Beach Arts Foundation to present the 46th annual Newport Beach Arts Exhibition. Largely through Arlene’s efforts, the City of Newport Beach was recently able to secure a $500,000 grant from the State of California to ensure that the sculpture garden exhibition continues long into the future.

Arlene understands what it takes to create, develop and maintain a viable community arts programs and has chosen to share her creative and proprietary program with communities and institutions across the country.

How a Museum Without Walls is Built

If implemented and managed properly, the Museum Without Walls concept is simple, comprehensive and done with an eye towards the specific needs and wants of the community.

First, we identify the best location for placement of the exhibit. This could be a rambling path trough the woods or adjacent to a field of flowers. It could be the open space between buildings or a small pocket park hidden in the urban landscape. The space will be comfortable, easily accessible and enticing.

Next, we develop the location’s personality. It can be cutting edge, featuring elements of modern sculpture and regional trends. Or, it could be tranquil and serene with pieces representing a more classical perspective. Or, it could be a combination of both, and more. Given that the art rotates every two years, the personality of the presentation can change and grow as often as the community desires.

Then begins the process of curating the collection. Museum Without Walls will solicit and receive submissions from artists across the country. A selection panel, comprised of community representatives and Museum staff will determine the works most appropriate for the exhibition. Through social media, the community will be involved in the selection process.

After the selection process is completed, Museum Without Walls oversees the transportation and installation of the work and provides maintenance for the art during its residency. And, then, before you know it, the community has a nationally recognized sculpture museum in its own backyard.