The new appointments position the museum for strategic growth and expansion
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — January 14, 2025 — The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announced today the appointment of three new members to its staff: Amy Pierce as Chief Development Officer, Mary Mantey as the Doolittle Family Director of Gardens & Horticulture, and Brianna Sharpe as the Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole Associate Curator, a position named in honor of the Jacksonville native and internationally renowned educator, scholar and transformational leader.
“The Cummer Museum is squarely focused on elevating museum experiences for visitors and becoming one of America’s premier institutions,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and CEO. “Expanding the capabilities of both our fine art and living collections is central to these goals. Amy, Mary and Brianna are valuable contributors that have the passion, perspective, and expertise to enliven our efforts, and we welcome them to our team.”
Amy Pierce
Amy Pierce’s extensive career in the development field spans over two decades. Most recently she held the position of Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Southeastern Grocer Gives Foundation and Senior Manager of Community Engagement & Charitable Giving of Southeastern Grocers. She has held leadership positions in Northeast Florida nonprofits and educational institutions including serving as the Chief Development Officer of the Jacksonville Humane Society, the Major Gifts System Officer at St. Vincent’s HealthCare, and the Director of Development of the University of North Florida. In her role at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Pierce will join the Senior Executive Team to drive the museum’s financial stability and provide strategic guidance in all aspects of philanthropic engagement. She will lead a dynamic team of fundraising professionals focused on managing donor relationships, planned giving, securing major gifts and corporate sponsorships, as well as grant writing and annual giving campaigns. Pierce began her role at the museum on January 6, 2025.
Mary Mantey
Mary Mantey most recently served as landscape designer at the Elizabeth River Project in Norfolk, Virginia, where she designed and permitted residential and commercial living shorelines, riparian buffers, and other conservation landscaping. Prior to that role, she was the Curator of Woody Plants and Horticulture Manager at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and also house gardener at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, North America’s oldest botanical garden. Her experience working in historic and public gardens and riverways provides a unique understanding of the Museum's riverfront horticultural needs. Mantey began her new role on January 6.
Brianna Sharpe
In her new role as the Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole Associate Curator, Brianna Sharpe will work collaboratively with museum colleagues to promote, interpret, and expand the Cummer Museum's permanent collection that builds upon the museum's vision of engaging all of the people who live, work in and visit Jacksonville. This new position was made possible by funding from a $650,000 grant the museum received in 2023 from the Leadership in Art Museums (LAM) initiative, a partnership between the Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Pilot House Philanthropy and Alice L. Walton Foundation. The Cummer is one of only 19 museums across the country selected to receive a LAM grant through a competitive and thorough selection process. This new position supports the Cummer’s and LAM’s shared goals of advancing professional development in the museum field in ways that are representative of both the city and the nation. Sharpe previously served as registrar of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville from 2021 to 2024, and the Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, from 2019 to 2021. Sharpe began her role at the museum in September.
###
About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens:
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens stands as a beacon of culture and inspiration in Jacksonville, Florida, proudly showcasing an impressive collection of art and stunning historically significant gardens. Founded in 1958 by the visionary Ninah Cummer, a powerful woman deeply committed to her community, the museum reflects her passion for art, gardens and education. Ninah's dream was to create a space where the beauty of fine art and nature could be appreciated and shared with all, and she succeeded in transforming her family estate into this remarkable institution. The museum boasts an exquisite collection that spans from ancient to contemporary art, including European masterpieces and American works that resonate with the spirit of the region. Complementing the art is a series of beautifully landscaped gardens along the St. Johns River that invite visitors to explore and find tranquility amidst nature’s splendor. This harmonious blend of art and nature not only enhances the visitor experience but also embodies the essence of creativity and serenity that defines the Cummer Museum, making it an essential destination for art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. As a landmark in Jacksonville, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens not only honors Ninah Cummer's legacy but also serves as a vital cultural hub for education, creativity, and community engagement. It stands as a testament to the power of one woman's vision and her enduring impact on the arts in the community.