Loretta Gates Chosen as the Detroit
Institute of Arts'
Docent Committee
Volunteer of the Year |
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Loretta Gates
Loretta Gates is the Detroit Institute of Arts' Docent Committee Volunteer of the Year. She has been a fixture in the docent ranks since completing the necessary nine month training from 1998-1999 and has quietly and steadily worked for the museum's benefit ever since. She has served as a Docent Committee board member for seven years, acting as recording secretary one year, public tours coordinator for two years, special tours coordinator for three years, and records and awards chairperson this year. She has also served on the museum's Volunteer Council as vice-chairperson of HospitalityDIA and as a yearly volunteer with the Festival of the Arts Hat Booth. Above all, Gates is always willing to extend herself personally to other docents, staff, and visitors to help everyone make connections with art.
Gates originally became interested in art history when her nephew told her about the classes offered at the DIA. She continues to learn more through docent training and her own research, adding always to the repertoire of tours she is qualified to lead. She routinely exceeds the number of hours and tours docents are required to give each Committee year.
Prior to becoming a volunteer at the DIA, Gates had careers as a history teacher, a junior high and high school guidance counselor, and a foster care caseworker. Gates' background in history and social studies along with her love for sharing knowledge make her a wonderful docent.
But giving tours is truly a two-way learning process. One of Gates' favorite tours was for a group of seniors who were attentive, interested, and asking sharp questions throughout. After they had listened to Gates' information in Rivera Court, one lady raised her hand and said, "I watched Diego Rivera paint these walls." It was a treat for Gates to hear HER story.
Gates is also very involved in her church and with her family. She has a son and daughter-in-law in Waterford and three young granddaughters to spoil. Her spare time is spent traveling the United States and Europe, reading just about anything, and cross-stitching exquisite Christmas tree skirts.
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