Volunteer Spotlight: Kris Charny

By Greta Engel

Phipps is well-known for our beautiful gardens, seasonal flower shows, pioneering sustainability initiatives, informative educational programs and community outreach. None of our work, however, would be possible without the knowledge and dedication of our volunteers. In this series of profiles, we meet some of the people who give their time to make Phipps possible.

While working as a 3rd grade teacher at O’Hara Elementary School, Kris Charny heard that Phipps was looking for volunteers to help with the Chihuly show. “Having a strong interest in art, this seemed like the perfect fit for me,” she says. Kris spent most of her working career as an elementary school teacher with the Fox Chapel Area School District. She also spent a couple of years working as a naturalist for the Audubon Society at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. After learning a lot about Chihuly and enjoying her experience at Phipps, Kris decided to continue volunteering at Phipps once she retired a few years later.

Kris entered the docent training program in 2010. Her background in environmental education led her to being part of the first group to participate in docent training for the Center for Sustainable Landscapes. She says, “When the BETA Project with the artwork in the CSL was introduced, I was thrilled to learn about the artists and works that enhanced biophilia through art in the CSL and give art-related tours.” Kris always enjoys giving tours that involve the artwork throughout the Conservatory. Some of the most fun she has had while volunteering at Phipps has been working on flower show props. “From making an arctic fox with plant material, tufting dried grasses for a lion’s mane, applying reindeer moss to a caribou, or covering an elephant with coco fiber, I take great pride in seeing the pieces I’ve helped with become part of the larger show,” describes Kris.

Kris enjoys being challenged by a variety of volunteer tasks. “I might be leading a group of out-of-town tourists through the Conservatory and showing them the features of the current show or taking a group of special needs students on a sensory exploration,” she explains. She has also helped the Science Education department with summer camps and intern training. “My favorite things about volunteering at Phipps are getting to work with so many interesting people with similar interests, meeting the challenge of a new experience, and sharing my enthusiasm for the beauty of Phipps with others,” says Kris. Kris continues to share her love of art and nature with Phipps’ visitors as a cherished volunteer.