In Memoriam

Donna F. Bergheim of Alexandria, who served on the board of the Virginia Commission for the Arts from 1993 to 1998, passed away on March 27, 2010. Dr. Bergheim, a devoted arts advocate, was a former Foreign Service Information Corps officer and former professor of English. She was a major supporter of MetroStage, the award-winning professional theatre that performs in the Donna Bergheim Theatre at 1201 North Royal Street in Alexandria. She was an advisory panelist for the Virginia Commission for the Arts before being appointed to the board of the Commission by Governor L. Douglas Wilder. Peggy Baggett, Executive Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, said: "Donna had a great passion for all of the arts, and during her five years on the board of the Commission she and her husband Mel traveled to all corners of the state attending performances and exhibitions. Donna had a warm and loving heart; and she had a strong commitment to the artists, administrators, technical staff, and volunteers who work so hard every day to bring the arts to the people of Virginia. She will be greatly missed.

- from the Virginia Commission for the Arts

"Donna F. Bergheim, a onetime Foreign Service officer and college professor who became an advocate for the arts in Alexandria and throughout Virginia, died March 27 of congestive heart failure at Capital Hospice in Arlington County. She was 84.

Dr. Bergheim became active in various arts groups soon after moving to Alexandria in 1960. She served on the board of directors of MetroStage and helped convert an old lumber warehouse into MetroStage's 150-seat theater. The theater was named for her in 2001.

In 1993, Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder named Dr. Bergheim to a five-year term as a member of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. In that position, Dr. Bergheim evaluated arts programs and helped award grants to organizations throughout the state..."

- Matt Schudel, Washington Post

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