Ariege Arseguel

Ariege Sarah Arseguel February 22, 1962 - June 5, 2011 Ariege Sarah Arseguel was born in San Francisco on February 22, 1962, of both French and American nationality. Named after her ancestors' region in the Pyrenees of France, Ariege grew up in San Francisco and Sebastopol, attending the French American International School and El Molino High School. Arseguel received a BA from UC Berkeley in Humanities and an MA from San Francisco State University in Arts Management. Passionate about art and culture, Ariege dedicated over twenty-five years to non-profit cultural institutions nationally. Working for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Ariege honed her leadership skills and expertise in strategic fundraising, development and marketing. During her tenure at the San Francisco Art Institute as Assistant Director of Communications, and later, Alumni Relations Director, she developed a large network of students, artists, arts administrators and curators. In 2002, Ariege returned with her family to Sonoma County to head the development office at the Sonoma County Museum and became its Executive Director in 2004. In 2007, Arseguel became an independent arts consultant and fine arts appraiser. Ariege was devoted to her family and to her friends and well as to the Bay Area arts community. With a strong and vibrant spirit, Ariege Arseguel's life embodied 'l'art de vivre.' After a brave fight and a long illness, she passed away peacefully Sunday night at home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband, John Sappington; children, Stella Ariege Sappington and Hugo Arseguel Sappington; mother Myriam Oliven; and brothers Sebastien Arseguel and Benjamin Arseguel. Private Services will be held to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to the UCSF Breast Center. Donations for the children may be directed to any Wells Fargo Bank and the Arseguel Sappington Children's Fund.