Alumni Spotlight: Mary Peck '90

The arts were always a strong interest of mine and I took all of the classes that I could while at Westminster - which meant convincing Mr. Wilbraham that I could handle the extra workload. I basically wouldn't let him tell me "no." So I took IDPS with Mr. Powers and then printmaking with Mrs. Houston/Jane Ogden for two years on top of the usual classes. I majored in History of Art at Yale, interned at museums and a gallery during the summers, studied abroad, and then started an internship at Christie's auction house in New York two days after my graduation. The internship was supposed to last two weeks, but I was in a small department that needed help so I talked my way into staying for the summer, which turned into a job in the fall. I loved the auction environment instantly and I stayed with Christie's for nearly 14 years. During the last eight years there, I was a Vice President of Post-War and Contemporary Art and Sale Head of two annual Post-War auctions that featured works on paper, paintings and sculpture ranging in value from $10,000-1,000,000+.  It was a great experience and launched me into my work as a consultant.

First, I had a good example: my parents were both very loyal to their schools as well as my sister's and my schools. I saw how much pleasure it brought them to get and stay involved. It seemed natural to stay in touch with the place I called home for three years and every Westminster alumni activity gave me an opportunity to see and/or talk with classmates or teachers, to return to campus and even meet other alumni. Getting involved sort of extended the experience for me and it still does. I give back because Westminster was a wonderful place for me and it continues to become "a better version of itself," as Graham Cole used to say.    

My class (Class of 1990) has a good record of staying in touch; many people live on the East Coast and have stayed in each other's lives or see each other at events, but we don't always return to Westminster in great numbers for reunions. This time - maybe it was the magic number 25 - there was a lot of momentum on Facebook and elsewhere that motivated people to come back, some for the first time.

I hadn't been back since our 20th Reunion, so I was excited to see the campus (adios Old Squibb!), but I was also so happy to just sit around and catch up with everyone. It was a big love fest! One classmate said that it's the people, not the buildings, that make the experience, but somehow being back on campus together really is very special. And, I had a great time dancing with my former fellow Trustee, Evan Stewart '70! It really is fun to get to know other alumni through volunteer committees. 

Westminster means a home away from home and, whether in Simsbury or elsewhere, a shared connection with people who have also experienced this special place.