Will focus on her own art
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Erica Karmeisool Reed is stepping down as executive director the Ludington Area Arts Council, effective in early July, in order to focus on her personal art career and starting that career.A sculptor and a graphic artist, Karmeisool will concentrate on the sculpting while using the graphic design to help with ?Afghanistan: Stands Alone,? a photojournalism project of her husband, Ryan Spencer Reed, who is now in Afghanistan.
She?s been managing the stateside work for that project after her day at the arts council.
?That?s where my heart is,? she said of her personal artwork and focusing on the work she and Ryan are doing.
?It?s been a great experience,? she said of her time as executive director of the council, which operates the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. ?The board has been supportive.?
?Erica has brought amazing structure to the center, invigorating the board and strengthening the foundation for the future,? said Tim McKay, arts council board president. ?Her boundless creativity and tenacity to tackle big issues will be dearly missed. We wish her well in her endeavors.?
She said part of the goal of the arts council is to help artists succeed, so her decision is in keeping with that spirit.
She said she?s thankful to live in a community supportive of the arts.
?I feel like the art center is in a good strong position, a good place to handle the transition,? she said. ?I want it to be a smooth transition.?
?I have absolutely loved this past year working on the business side of the art world, and now I want to return to my roots and get back into the creation of art,? said Karmeisool.
Karmeisool leaves a lasting legacy from her tenure, most notably establishing theme-based programming uniting visual arts, theater and literary arts around a common subject each season to highlight those relationships to the community. She also did a top-down analysis of the building, the former United Methodist Church at 107 S. Harrison St., to assess and recommend the best use of space that is inviting to visitors and artists. And in addition to automating and organizing data and streamlining communications with the center?s audiences, she leaves LAAC with a balanced fiscal year 2014 budget, a revised finance structure, and a positive balance sheet.
?While we are saddened to see her go, Erica places LAAC in a stronger position because of the groundwork she has laid that will give her successor a strong foundation to work from,? said McKay.
LAAC Manager Ann Genson, the advisory board, plus the many committees and volunteers all will help in the transition, along with Karmeisool herself who will orient the new director.
?I?ve learned so much about the industry of art organizations, how they function and how important they are to a community ? in some ways, the interaction with artists who are pursuing their craft has given me the encouragement and confidence in doing that for myself. I am proud of what I?ve been able to accomplish here through help of dedicated volunteers and staff, and I feel confident that what has been created will serve as a strong core for the next period of growth for LAAC.?
Candidates interested in applying for the executive director position should send a resume and cover letter to resume@ludingtonartscenter.org. A job description will be posted at ludingtonartscouncil.org shortly.
Minka Kelly sex tape Colorado shooting Colorado shooting victims aurora Angie Everhart tom hardy British Open leaderboard
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.