The Burchfield-Penney Art Center Art Center is pleased to announce that Audre Bunis is the museum's 2003 recipient of the Millicent Heller Award for outstanding volunteer service to the museum. The award was presented at the Burchfield-Penney's annual volunteer recognition reception on December 3, 2003.

Mrs. Bunis began her association with the Burchfield Art Center in the mid-1970s, assisting with special events, and her involvement with the museum continues to this day. She has served on the Burchfield-Penney's Council since 1997, and her versatility allowed her to also offer her expertise in a variety of areas of the museum. Mrs. Bunis has provided invaluable advice and unselfish dedication as member of museum store committee for the past four years. In recent years, she has co-hosted several Artful Table events and worked tirelessly on Art On Wheels.

"As Chair of the Merchandise Committee for Art On Wheels, Audre was a vital contributor to the project. With her experience and contacts in retailing, her impeccable taste, boundless energy and enthusiasm, we could not have asked for a better person for the job," said Kate Scaglione, director of sales for Art On Wheels. "Her charm and skill as a super saleswoman were evident throughout - whether it be negotiating for the best price with a vendor or pitching in to sell merchandise in the tent during Wheel-O-Rama! I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Audre. She is someone whom I admire tremendously and shines as a true example of what we should all aspire to be."

In addition to her involvement with the Burchfield-Penney and Art On Wheels, Audre Bunis is active with Studio Arena Theatre as a member of that organization's board, chair of the education department for the Theatre School and originator and chair of Studio Arena's "Take a Seat" event and serves on the board of Western New York Artists Group. In the past, she has served the following organizations: National MS Society of Western New York, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Friends of the School of Architecture, Chautauqua Center for the Visual Arts, Women of Studio Arena, the VA Hospital and the Park School.

About the Millicent Heller Award

The Millicent Heller Award was established by the friends and family of Millicent Heller to recognize outstanding volunteer service to the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. Past Millicent Heller Award recipients are Victor Shanchuk, Jr. (2002), Anne Forrester (2001), William Davis Wilson (2000), Lee Rubin (1999), Delight Dann (1998), Pat Lukaszewski (1997), Marge Madej (1996), Margaret Chaney Wheeler (1995), Jo Wise (1994), Kathy Feliciano (1993), Louise Bohacek (1992), Marilyn Vaage (1991), Sylvia Miller (1990), Ann Bukowski (1989) and Wendy Warner (1988).

About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney's members.