Staff

Laura Rafaty
Executive Director
ext. 110

Laura Rafaty is an experienced nonprofit arts leader, producer and writer, and also brings decades of both nonprofit and for-profit business and legal experience to her position as Executive Director. A veteran of local nonprofits including the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, Friends of the Cameo Cinema, and the Napa Valley Opera House, as well as nonprofits in New York and Palo Alto, she is a Tony-nominated theatrical producer and the founder of the theatrical nonprofit: NapaShakes. Her “Up the Valley” column is well-remembered, and its humor can be found in her text for our “Dangerous Games” exhibition. Laura lives in Saint Helena with two Tibetan Spaniels, is notorious for emailing the staff at all hours, and can usually be spotted at museum events with a signature glass of Scotch in her hand. 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria Rodriguez
Deputy Director
ext. 103

Maria Rodriguez is in charge of Museum Operations, bringing decades of retail and management experience, an artistic eye, and a warmly welcoming customer-experience orientation to her position. She has lived and worked in the Napa Valley for many years, and is well-known to customers of the Jan de Luz stores she formerly managed in St Helena and Carmel. She also has a strong background on the financial side, and has a passion for fashion as well. With a keen eye for craftsmanship and detail, plus a sharp eye on the books, Maria is careful steward of our nonprofit funds while also making sure that visitors, artists and vendors get a square deal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen Stewart
Collections Manager & Registrar
ext. 113

Kathleen Stewart, Collections Manager and Registrar, brings with her a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Printmaking as well as a minor in Art History and Museum Studies from Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon. Kathleen says it best: “Combining a lifelong love and appreciation Fine Art, History, Science, and Museums prepares me well for the research, preservation, and care of artifacts. Working as a printmaker for several years in Oregon, making copper plate etchings, gives me an understanding of the craft of art disciplines. I look forward to continuing working in Collections as a Registrar as I have been volunteering in Collections and the Gallery for the past several years.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gabe Ely
Front Desk Gallery
ext. 107

Gabe Ely is a long-time resident of Yountville, as well as a graphic designer and appreciator of art. He attends to his duties with surgical precision, and always makes sure visitors have a great time. You can see Gabe most days when the museum is open: Wednesdays through Sundays from 11-4. Under his alter ego @ItsgabboGabe, you can find his art and drawings as “artist, pseudo philosopher, and director of Gabolical Laboratories.” His slogan is: “You can find inspiration in the strangest places.” He is the only member of the staff to have his own theme song! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joel Kurtz
Coordinator of Education & Programs

Joel started at the Museum in 2018 as a volunteer museum preparator unpacking surfboards for exhibition, and quickly made himself indispensable. With a background as a Sculpture Teacher and Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair at Las Lomas High School, Joel has curated and designed exhibitions including curation of an exploration of the Napa River, and designing the current “Pollyanna Valley” exhibition. He has worked as a preparator installing many of the museum’s exhibitions, and is helping to prepare the new MAC for opening.  He is currently spearheading the Museum’s docent and volunteer programs for the NVMY and The MAC (and is always looking for more help!). Joel is an accomplished sculptor of ceramic vessels with his own firm Kylix Design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather Belt
Head of Design

Heather joins the team in the new position of Head of Design, bringing talent, expertise and many years of experience in both marketing and design to the position. She has a great reputation in the Valley and beyond as a graphic and production designer and creative project manager, having worked most recently with clients like The Calistoga Depot and Boisset Collection. She has provided design for Chronicle Books, for universities, and for a broad range of businesses. Heather is undertaking the enormous task of helping the Museum to elevate all aspects of its design at both the NVMY and the new MAC. She lives in St Helena with her husband and young son.