Volunteerism has always been part of Subha Lembach’s life.
When she was in the fifth grade, Lembach, now 38, circulated a petition among her classmates for better playground equipment.
“And we did get a better playground,” says Lembach, with a laugh. “We got a fitness trail – but I really just wanted more swings.”
Upper Arlington resident Lembach, who was born in India, credits her parents with showing her the importance of reaching out to the community.
“My dad literally came to this country with $6 or $8. That was all he had,” she says. “As a family, we got a lot of help from a lot of people, and giving back was always part of who my parents were. It was part of our culture.”
Lembach grew up in New York City , where she continued her childhood charity work, organizing newspaper and aluminum can drives to raise money for the homeless. She graduated from Cornell University with a history major before earning a degree from Fordham Law School.
“I really focused on public interest law. I did a lot of work in domestic violence, unemployment law and public assistance,” she says.
Her volunteerism continued when she moved to Upper Arlington with her husband, Michael, an optometrist with Northwest Eye Surgeons since 2004. The couple met while he was attending the State University of New York College of Optometry and married in 2000.
Lembach’s charitable involvement in central Ohio began with Junior League and spread to a myriad of other groups – including the Franklin Park Conservatory, Kelton House Museum and Garden, Columbus Museum of Art, and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
“When I was in law school, I was part of the Natural Resources Defense Council,” Lembach says, explaining her connection with the zoo.
Kelton House appealed to her because of her interest in history. As for the museum and the conservatory, her daughter, Elizabeth, had something to do with that, she says.
“I don’t have a creative bone in my body, so I like supporting it how I can. Art is something my daughter is really passionate about,” she says.
Currently, Lembach is putting her energy into Art in Bloom, a biennial fundraiser led by Beaux Arts, an auxiliary of the museum. The fundraiser, scheduled this year for April 25-27 at the museum, offers visitors the chance to view live floral arrangements accompanied by the works of fine art that inspired them during several different events.
“One of the things that makes Art in Bloom really unique as a fundraiser is how it weaves the fundraising aspect with the actual art,” says Lembach, who is a member of the Art in Bloom Opening Committee. “It’s the only fundraiser that I’m aware of that really intertwines the art with the fundraiser. The florists use the artwork to inspire their (own) work.”
Beaux Arts aims to raise $40,000 for the museum during Art in Bloom. This year’s theme is East Meets West, beginning with An Evening at the Moulin Rouge from 6-8 p.m. April 25; followed by The Gardens of Russia, a midday tea from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; a talk from author, gardener and photographer Elizabeth Murray from 2-3 p.m. April 26; and ending with Jazz Brunch at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. April 27.
The events are typical of Art in Bloom’s format, but vary in theme from years past, Lembach says.
“I took my daughter to the tea last time. That’s a really nice themed tea,” she says.
Lembach enjoys volunteering with Beaux Arts, which is just one of the museum’s many auxiliary groups, because of its small roster of active members.
“(There are about) 25 to 30 people who are active, and that’s what I liked about it,” she says. “It’s more of an intimate group. It’s a very fun group.”
And many of those active members are Upper Arlington residents, she notes.
“Having done the ZIP code analysis for Women’s League and Junior League, you always get most of your people from Upper Arlington,” Lembach says. “It’s something (UA) should be proud of.”
And advocating for the public good isn’t just a part-time gig for Lembach. She also works full time with Ohio’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, coordinating with community leaders, agencies and juvenile courts.
“We work on how we can strengthen our juvenile justice system to support kids,” Lembach says.
The initiative, part of the state’s Department of Youth Services and established by the nonprofit Annie E. Casey Foundation, works in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lucas, Montgomery and Summit counties to improve school completion rates and lower re-offense rates among juvenile offenders.
In the little spare time she has, Lembach says she enjoys spending time with her daughter.
“We usually end up going to the conservatory, the museum or the zoo,” she says with a laugh.
And she hopes that her parents’ enthusiasm for giving back gets passed down to the next generation.
“I think it’s important for our kids to see us working and being full citizens in the community,” Lembach says. “You’re a role model whether you like it or not.”
Lisa Aurand is editor of Tri-Village Magazine. Feedback welcome at laurand@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Art in Bloom
Floral designers interpret works of art with live flower arrangements. Admission to Art in Bloom is free with Museum admission, but Art in Bloom events require an additional ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.columbusmuseum.org.
An Evening at the Moulin Rouge
6-8 p.m., April 25
A strolling supper with the atmosphere of 19th-century cabaret life. Tickets: $60
The Gardens of Russia
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., April 26
A Russian tea highlighted by a presentation from author, speaker, gardener and photographer Elizabeth Murray.
Tickets: $50
Elizabeth Murray: “Living Life in Full Bloom”
2-3 p.m., April 26
In an encore performance, Elizabeth Murray speaks about her latest book, Living Life in Full Bloom.
Tickets: $10 for museum members, $20 for nonmembers
Jazz Brunch
Seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., April 27
A French-influenced gourmet brunch buffet accompanied by a performance from Columbus Jazz Orchestra musicians.
Tickets: $35
