MYSTIC MUSEUM OF ART
Mystic, CT
https://www.mysticmuseumofart.org/
2018
V. Susan Fisher appointed Executive Director
We are pleased to announce that V. Susan Fisher will be the new Executive Director of the Mystic Museum of Art, CT.
David Madacsi, the Mystic Museum's Board President, said that, "The appointment by the Board was unanimous," and he continued "We are delighted to announce Susan's appointment. We are impressed with Susan's leadership experience and skill sets and how well they align with the Mystic Museum of Art's goals for its next chapter, and we were all charmed by her energy and enthusiasm for our mission, staff and community."
Fisher will relocate from Taos, where she served for six years as Executive Director and Curator of the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, a museum that houses a collection of works by the Taos Society of Artists (1915-1927) in the renovated studio of Russian émigré and painter Nicholas Fechin. The museum building and its six-acre campus are on the National Historic Register. Under Fisher's leadership, the museum mounted many exhibitions including contemporary artists, and she developed new programming and strengthened both earned and contributed income for operations.
Fisher brings impressive intellectual and artistic credentials that pair well with the MMoA's historical legacy of serving regional artists. She has an MFA in painting and worked for many years as an artist in Philadelphia. She studied art history at the Sorbonne and museum studies at the Ecole du Louvre and served as a correspondent for New Art Examiner for more than a decade, writing art criticism and reviews. She has served as a visiting lecturer and adjunct faculty at three universities: Temple University in Philadelphia, Rowan University in New Jersey, and the University of Delaware.
In addition to her curatorial and academic background, Fisher brings significant development experience, including one year as Director of Development at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe; three years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as Director of Foundation and Government Relations, and seven years as Director of Development for a Pennsylvania independent school.
Mary Anne Stets, Chairman of the Museum's Board, added, "The Mystic Museum of Art is at an important juncture in its 100-year history as it continues to transform from an artists' association and art center into a regional art museum. Susan brings the right package of skills we need to move forward, including a reputation for building community engagement. She will help us build our collections, programming, educational and public offerings, and museum profile."
Fisher began work on December 5, 2018 and said, "It has been my recent goal to return to the Northeast , and I look forward to working with the staff, board, and elected artist-members to advance the Museum, which is a beloved cultural focus for the community and region."
Fisher was selected following a national search guided by consultants Connie Rosemont and Marilyn Hoffman of Museum Search & Reference.