ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.- The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg announces five new and returning members to its volunteer Board of Trustees: Maria Cantonis, Piers Davies, Dr. Robert Drapkin, Mark Mahaffey and Candace Scherer Sharp. Each is known for personal advocacy of the arts and brings unique civic, business and philanthropic experiences to these new leadership roles in service to the community.

Incoming officers for MFA Board include Fred Razook, chairman; Dimity Carlson, vice-chairman; Craig Sher, treasurer; and Emily Elwyn, secretary. Retiring from the board are Glenn Mosby and Chloe Firebaugh. This brings the governing body of the museum to 25 members.

“I am honored to serve with the caliber of individuals who are joining us at such an exciting time for the Museum,” said incoming Board Chairman Fred Razook. “St. Petersburg is a destination city for the arts, and the MFA is central to its cultural vibrancy and ongoing development for residents and visitors alike.”

Maria P. Cantonis
Cantonis has served as a board member of the Clearwater Arts Alliance, St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and The Florida Orchestra, and has been consistent in her support of arts education at the local and state level. She has been recognized for her nonprofit leadership as a recipient of The Florida Orchestra “Maestro’s Award” (1996), the Girls Scouts of West Central Florida “Women of Distinction” Honoree (2007), and the Pinellas County Arts Council “Friends of the Arts/Arts Patron Award” (1999).

Piers Davies
Davies, founder of Piers Davies Fine Art, has worked in the international fine art market for over 20 years. A consultant for Winston Art Group and Art Peritus in New York, he is also is a charity auctioneer and has worked with causes such as the Food Bank for New York City, The Jericho Project, The Fontainebleau Schools, Children’s Theater Company, and the American Cancer Society.

Robert Louis Drapkin, MD, FACP
Dr. Drapkin is medical director of the Institute of Vitality in Tampa, and is board-certified in internal medicine, oncology and palliative care. Currently on the boards for the Florida Museum of Photographic Art and Graphicstudio at the University of South Florida, and past board member of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, he returns to the Board of the MFA where he has been a major art contributor from his expansive personal collection, making the MFA Photography Collection one of the best in the Southeastern United States.

Mark T. Mahaffey
Mahaffey is chairman and partner of The Mahaffey Company, a family enterprise that specializes in residential apartment developments, as well as chairman emeritus of the Mahaffey Theater Foundation, and a past vice-president of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. Formerly the chairman for the MFA board, he has also been a member of the advisory council of the University of Notre Dame Libraries, Suncoasters of St. Petersburg, Inc., and Academy Prep in St. Petersburg.

Candace Scherer Sharp
Sharp, a realtor and independent agent for Southern Roots Realty, has volunteered for a wide range of organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Junior League, Infinity League to Aid Abused Children and Adults, and is a founding member of the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation. She is the current president of the Margaret Acheson Stuart Society at the MFA.

“Our trustees help shape the direction of the MFA’s future,” said MFA Executive Director Kristen A. Shepherd. “Each trustee makes a commitment to our community, so to those completing their terms, as well as those serving in the coming years, we owe a very high debt of gratitude.”