Tamera McNulty has arrived at exactly the place she wants to be due to the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection—and that is the textbook definition for “synchronicity.” Much of her life experience has apparently occurred by chance, but resulted in happy and beneficial discoveries—and that succinctly describes “serendipitous.”
Tamera was recently chosen by Darke County Center for the Arts’ trustees to be the new director of the Anna Bier Gallery, replacing long-time ABG Director Marcia Weidner; to say that the Darke County native is excited about her new position would be an understatement. She is full of plans to build on the legacy that flows from the iconic Greenville art teacher for whom the gallery is named through those arts aficionados who through the years have worked towards the success of the Anna Bier Gallery, and looks forward to expanding the reach and influence of the space and its programs.
Her first task is to continue the exhibits in the Anna Bier Gallery that coincide with DCCA Artists Series shows; although Tam has not completed plans for the entire season, she has lined up an amazing artist for the first show, UK native Fiona Miller, whose work will be displayed at DCCA’s season opener on September 9 starring genre-bending singer David Myles. Trained in architecture at Cambridge University, Fiona shares the glimmers of beauty and redemption that she sees in her travels, using watercolor paired with pen and ink to creatively express her vision.
Additionally, Tam has booked an especially appropriate artist to coincide with DCCA’s special event One Night in Memphis, the show that re-creates the memorable night when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash met for an impromptu jazz session at legendary Sun Studios. Bowling Green resident Gail Christofferson, who creates colorful and playful mosaic glass guitars that are also breathtakingly beautiful, will display her work at the Anna Bier Gallery at an exhibit opening on October 7.
After graduating from Greenville High School in 1989, Tamera Miller attended Kettering School of Advertising Art, then worked at Neff Lettering designing plaques, certificates, and T-shirt designs. However, a week-long visit to Arizona captivated her imagination, and inspired a move to the Grand Canyon State. Tam obtained a position as an Executive Assistant with W. E. O’Neil Construction Company, where she says she was given the opportunity “to do everything”—event planning, marketing, and public relations, as well as some design work.
While she found her new location and job to be exciting, Tamera missed experiencing a direct connection to art, so she entered Arizona State University’s College of Architecture and Design. During her first year, she was offered an internship with Norman Gorbaty, a New York artist known for his ability to capture movement and motion. Her work with Gorbaty taught her the difference between doing graphic design for others and creating one’s own work that comes from within, a life-altering realization that shapes her life yet today.
While at ASU, Tam met the man who would become her husband, Tom McNulty. After their son Coleman was born in 2007, Tamera felt the pull of her nurturing family circle in Darke County, and moved back home in 2008; daughter Scarlet was born two years later. The clan moved to their current place of residence across the street from Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall in 2015.
Which brings us to the present day, and finds Tam exactly where she wants to be, with a new job that allows her to not only express her own creativity, but to offer other artists the same opportunity She is forming plans to initiate a monthly “Artists Workshop” providing gifted instructors who will teach varying artistic disciplines and techniques to students of all ages. Also, in addition to the Gallery’s annual High School Art Show, an exhibit of art by local elementary students will be held in the Spring.
