VERNON AND "MIMI" FILLEYFOUNDERSEmily “Mimi” Horwath became interested in art during an elementary school field trip to the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. After visiting the museum and noticing that many of the works of art were donated, Mimi’s dream became to collect art which could someday be donated to a museum to enhance the lives of others.
Mimi and Dr. Vernon W. Filley were married in 1947 after Vernon completed medical school. They settled in Pratt a few years later where Dr. Filley served as a surgeon throughout his lifetime. The Filley’s owned a second home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Mimi became personally acquainted with many artists and gallery owners. She commissioned, bought, and collected art in the Southwest style. Her purchases were based solely on whether she liked the art piece. Mimi’s heart is in Pratt. The Vernon Filley Art Museum fulfills Mimi’s dream to have the Filley art collection remain in Pratt. The art museum also honors the vision to support constantly rotating guest exhibitions and offer art classes. |
STAN REIMEREXECUTIVE DIRECTORStan Reimer, Master Photographer Craftsman, C.P.P. began photography at the age of 12 with an adjustable camera. He pursued his art and passion for photography through out his career and education. Reimer received a BA in psychology from Bethel College in Newton, KS and holds a Masters Degree in music education from WSU.
Reimer founded Stan Reimer Photography LTD and The Photography Gallery in 1976, as owner and photographer. His accomplishments include: Certified Professional Photographer in 1981; Named Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America in 1985; Named Master Photographer Craftsman by the PPA in 1995; President of the Kansas Professional Photographers Association in 1984; Board member, Heart of America Photographers Association for 12 years; Member, Council of the Professional Photographers of America for 19 years Reimer’s awards include:
Stan has exhibited photography in galleries throughout Kansas including the Moss-Thomas Gallery of Art at Fort Hays State University, Hays Arts Center, Hutchinson Art Center, Century II in Wichita, Shafer Gallery in Great Bend, and the Carnegie Art Gallery in Dodge City. He has works displayed in the International Photography Hall of Fame in Liverpool, Nova Scotia and the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Reimer has specialized in custom archival framing for 37 years. Reimer has led the Filley Art Museum project since inception serving as the board chairman for the Vernon Filley Art Museum Foundation for 8 years. He is honored to have led the vision of the Filley family, creating a collaborative and artistic outlet for the greater Pratt area to build community. |
BRITTANY NOVOTNYDIRECTORBrittany Novotny started as Co-Director for the Filley in January of 2014. Relocating from Bloomington Indiana, Brittany moved to Pratt to begin working for the museum and join her husband Steven Novotny, a Pratt native. She holds a Master of Arts (M.A) in Arts Administration from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, with coursework from the #1 ranked non-profit management program in the Nation. Novotny completed a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance in 2007 at the University of Denver and began her arts administration career working in donor and public relations at the Lamont School of Music. She worked in event management and served as the concert house manager in addition to assisting with marketing materials, development, and serving as the editor in chief for a newsletter publication.
Novotny’s passion for visual art stems from growing up as the daughter of Tim Joseph, a sculptor and bronze foundry owner. She was also fortunate to be surrounded by the drawings, paintings, and sculpture of her grandfather William Joseph, artist and head of the art department at Loretta Heights College. Her brother, Qwist Joseph a ceramic artist and sculptor, has also been a strong influence. Family meetings to organize art shows, openings, exhibits, and collaborating with museum and gallery owners became Novotny’s motivation to pursue a career path in museums. Novotny has always pledged to ensure that art and creativity remain an integral component of education. Novotny’s inspiration to study non-profits and arts administration came from her experiences in starting her own trumpet studio and an internship she served with The Denver Brass. Gaining experience with grants and operations at this non-profit she learned of the opportunity to specialize in business in the arts, and the opportunity to study successful non-profit organization mechanics. During her time in Bloomington, she worked as an intern in the finance and administration departments for the accredited Indiana University Art Museum. Novotny’s research interests include cultural facility development in rural areas and creative placemaking. She is elated to be working with the incredible team at The Filley. Brittany was appointed by the governor to serve on the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission in 2019. |
Goals to Benefit The Greater Pratt Region
• The museum is a cultural center enhancing the quality of life for the people of the Pratt Region and surrounding areas.
• The museum provides increased access to the arts.
• Public schools have the opportunity to use the museum to expose both youths and adults to a variety of art and artists.
• Museum membership and volunteer opportunities are available to the community.
• Artistic development and expression is nurtured by art classes offered through the museum.
• A gallery is reserved to host guest artist shows. Visiting shows include area, regional, and traveling exhibitions of varying styles and topics.
• The museum has enabled the Filley art collection to remain in the Pratt Region.
• Our quality fine art museum will encourage people to visit the Pratt Region.
• The museum provides increased access to the arts.
• Public schools have the opportunity to use the museum to expose both youths and adults to a variety of art and artists.
• Museum membership and volunteer opportunities are available to the community.
• Artistic development and expression is nurtured by art classes offered through the museum.
• A gallery is reserved to host guest artist shows. Visiting shows include area, regional, and traveling exhibitions of varying styles and topics.
• The museum has enabled the Filley art collection to remain in the Pratt Region.
• Our quality fine art museum will encourage people to visit the Pratt Region.