Date: Fri 24-Jul-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Silvermine-Guild-Arts-Center

Full Text:

Silvermine Names New Executive Director

NEW CANAAN, CONN. -- The Silvermine Guild Arts Center board of trustees has

appointed Cynthia B. Clair as the center's executive director. Clair, who has

recently moved to Wilton from Northport, N.Y., joined the staff of Silvermine

on July 6.

In her new position, Clair is responsible for directing the overall operations

of the Silvermine Guild of Artists, Silvermine Galleries, the Silvermine

School of Art, and a broad range of educational and cultural programs for the

community.

Clair has nearly 20 years of experience in arts education, administration,

fundraising and arts advocacy, both at the state and local level. For the past

five years she has served as executive director of the Huntington Arts Council

in Huntington, N.Y., the largest arts council on Long Island, which provides

public programs for a community of 200,000 and serves 90 organizations

throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties. She also served as executive director

of The Michigan Alliance for Arts Education from 1987-1991.

She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Hope College and her

master's degree in human development from the University of Maryland.

"I had heard about the Silvermine, had visited the arts center several years

ago and was quite taken with the place," said Clair. "I'm intrigued with arts

centers -- the place where it's happening -- and the opportunity to work with

the artists. The concept of a guild appeals to me, and certainly the prestige

and history of Silvermine are very compelling."