Daryl Ward appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Daryl Ward, Ph.D., as the new Executive Director of The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum (formerly the Polk Museum) at Florida Southern College. Senior Search Consultant Dana Friis-Hansen led the national search. 

Ward has served as the Interim Executive Director since June 2025. He will officially take on the Executive Director position on March 2.

Ward is an established figure in the regional arts community. He worked in Polk County Public Schools for 32 years, including seven years as principal of Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, before retiring in 2020.

 After a brief stint at Southeastern University, in 2022 Ward became Executive Director of the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance, which is the nonprofit organization that advocates for local arts and culture entities and oversees the Polk Arts and Culture Hall of Fame.

Ward holds a doctorate from the University of South Florida, and he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from Florida State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. A photographer who has exhibited his work publicly, Ward also serves as an adjunct professor in the education department at Florida Southern College.

As Interim Executive Director, Ward oversaw such initiatives as the Ela’s Forest project, a memorial sculpture honoring a local family affected by domestic violence, and the FSC Voices Symposium, which pairs Florida Southern faculty expertise with exhibitions at the Museum.

After considering “a strong pool of candidates,” Florida Southern President Jeremy Martin decided that Ward should become the full-time leader. He said, “As we were interviewing candidates, I found that I was in effect asking, ‘Will you continue the great work that Dr. Ward has been doing?’ When I passed that compliment on to Dr. Ward, we discussed how deeply invested he had become in the Museum in recent months.” Martin added: “From there, it became clear that we had the right leader in place — someone who understands The AGB, values its mission, and is committed to advancing the arts at Florida Southern and throughout our community.”

Fabio Fernández appointed Executive Director

The National Sculpture Society of New York City has appointed Fabio J. Fernández as the new Executive Director, following a nationwide search led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Fernández assumed his position on January 26, 2026.

Fernández brings more than two decades of leadership experience across arts and cultural organizations. He previously served as Director of Greenwich House Pottery in New York and Executive Director of the Society of Arts + Crafts in Boston, where he led strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational development to support artists and creative communities.

Trained in both business and the visual arts, Fernández earned his Bachelor’s in Business Management from Seton Hall University and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. His dual perspective has informed his commitment to supporting artists, strengthening creative communities, and advancing institutions dedicated to the arts.

“Fabio brings a rare combination of administrative rigor, deep respect for artists, and an understanding of how membership organizations can thrive,” said Gregory Glasson, Board Chair of the National Sculpture Society. “He understands our mission, appreciates our history, and is well-positioned to help advance our strategic priorities, including the evolving needs of our members.”

Fernández succeeds outgoing Executive Director Gwen Pier, who over nearly four decades guided the organization through extraordinary growth. During her tenure, Pier played a central role in growing the endowment from $365,000 to more than $15 million, thus strengthening the Society’s programs, exhibitions, publications, and member services. She has stewarded the organization through significant changes in the field and overseen strategic planning, the revitalization of the Society’s magazine, Sculpture Quarterly, the development of awards, scholarships, residencies, ambassador groups, and juried exhibitions, all of which have directly benefited generations of sculptors.

Alana Ryder appointed Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that the Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA) has appointed Alana H. Ryder as its new Executive Director. The nationwide search was led by MS&R Senior Search Consultant Dan Yaeger. Ryder will assume her position on December 1, 2025.

‍Ryder joins MMoA following her tenure as Director of Fellows and Cohort Programs at the Art Bridges Foundation, a major national arts philanthropy dedicated to expanding access to American art. There, she launched and led the Foundation’s signature programs supporting emerging museum leaders and institutional partnerships across the country. Previously, Ryder held management and curatorial roles at the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo, where she created the Community Gallery program to showcase and support local artists.

Ryder brings to MMoA a strong record of innovation in museum programming, leadership development, and audience engagement. At Art Bridges, she built a new department and oversaw program strategy and budget, helping partner museums across the United States strengthen access, equity, and professional pathways in the arts. Earlier in her career, she directed university and public programs at the Wexner Center, where she managed endowed lectures, major grants, and initiatives linking artists with academic and community audiences. Ryder holds an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University; an M.A. in History with Museum Studies from SUNY Buffalo; and a B.A. in History of Art from the University of California, Berkeley.

“Alana is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who combines a deep understanding of the museum field with a genuine passion for community connection,” said Breck Perkins, President of Mystic Museum of Art’s Board of Directors. “Her national perspective, creative energy, and proven ability to build partnerships will be invaluable as we advance MMoA’s mission and strategic vision for the future.”

“I am honored to join Mystic Museum of Art and to carry forward its legacy as a center for creativity and connection,” said Ryder. “Mystic’s artistic heritage and its active community of artists create a unique opportunity for dialogue, learning, and inspiration. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and community partners to expand the Museum’s reach and deepen its impact in the region and beyond.”