Our Speaker is

Annalee Ash

Annalee Ash moved to New Bern 8.5 years ago, after living in Washington, DC for 26 years, NYC for 5, the Eastern end of Long Island and Boston.  After graduation from the University of Vermont, she spent the next 25 years in home furnishings, decorative arts and real estate before moving to DC for 23 years in hospitality with Marriott and Ritz-Carlton.  Two rewarding years were spent in her "graduate school" working as assistant to the president of a family philanthropic foundation focused on health, education and performing arts of children and youth of Washington, DC. 

When Covid retired Annalee to New Bern full time, she pursued her passion for the arts. In 2020 she heard about the possibility of a plein air event here in New Bern and jumped in to participate in the organizing of the event.  Every year since, the event has blossomed into what the tourism board says is one the of most successful events to bring tourism to New Bern and it provides an exceptional event for the communities of New Bern, Oriental, Beaufort and Eastern North Carolina.  

Today, we are preparing for the 5th Anniversary of the NC Plein Air Art Festival!  Annalee is always happy to discuss the many ways anyone can participate as a volunteer, host, donor or sponsor.  This event has brought so many to see, appreciate and purchase the extraordinary art created in 6 days, over 400 paintings by world renowned plein air artists as well as take workshops, and participate in a week filled with many opportunities to meet the artists.  The Youth program has grown from a Saturday morning event with 45 students to a weeklong event for 175 students.  It's a marvelous and exceptional opportunity for all to be exposed to the arts in New Bern.