Jack Rudnick is the first to admit that when it comes to art he falls into an old cliche.

“I haven't an artistic bone in my body,” Rudnick said. “But I know what I like. My wife, Stephanie, does watercolors. But when it comes to art I really just know what I like.”

This self-described inability to draw certainly hasn't inhibited Rudnick, general council to Welch Allyn, from making his mark on the art world.

In January, the Skaneateles resident became board president for the Everson Museum of Art.

Rudnick, who has previously worked with other local museums like the Schweinfurth in Auburn as well as local efforts in Skaneateles, first became involved with the Everson through his work at Welch Allyn.

“There were people there that knew I was involved in other boards,” Rudnick said. “The company asked me if I would be interested in getting involved with the board at the Everson; I've been a member of the board of trustees there for six years now.”

After a four-year tenure on the board of trustees, Rudnick moved up to the vice president's chair two years ago before assuming the presidency.

But Rudnick said his interest in the museum predates his more active involvement of the recent years.

“I've always had an interest in art,” Rudnick said. “And I was always impressed with what the Everson had to offer. There have always been some wonderful shows and collections on display there.”

The building itself is a treasure, he said. He called one of the first art centers to be designed by now world famous I.M. Pey a work of art all on its own.

In recent years, Rudnick and the rest of the board of trustees have seen the museum become a far more active place than it had previously been.

“We have been making moves,” Rudnick said. “Not at lightning speed, but we have been making moves especially over the last three years. We have been doing a lot more with education and art classes and things like that, which I think has helped get more interest in the museum.”

While the museum has always been dedicated to offering the highest quality shows possible, there has been a great deal of focus put on expanding lately.

“We recently had a (Jackson) Pollock show,” Rudnick said. “It was fantastic. I went to the opening and I don't think we've ever had so many people in the museum as we did that night.”

Though the museum is located in Syracuse, the art center is really a unique offering for the whole of central New York, with a wide variety of shows as well as an impressive and well-known permanent collection.

This together with surrounding galleries as well as other cultural attractions such as the Museum of Science and Techonology, could be at the core of what Rudnick would like to see the future offer for not only the artistic, but also the overall cultural offerings central New York has to offer.

“This could be a real rebuilding,” Rudnick said. “A rebirth. It is very impressive what there is here and what central New York has to offer. I think it is very impressive and that it is something we are working towards creating in the future.”

In the next few months, the museum will host events like 2008 Biennial, which allows local artists the opportunity to submit work.

And in 2009 the museum will host a rare expressionist show.

“This will be the first time a lot of these pieces will be on tour,” Rudnick said. “And we will be one of the only states in all the northeast to have these pieces on display.”

But in the meantime, Rudnick has his sights set on more immediate goals.

“We are a cultural organization,” Rudnick said. “We do face our financial challenges. Part of my focus is making sure we are making ends meet and just making sure that we keep improving all the time and that we keep offering the best cultural and artistic experience possible.”