1.25.2011

Artpace Executive Director Steps Down


The Executive Director of Artpace San Antonio, Matthew Drutt, left his position today after having served there since 2006. Under Drutt's leadership, Artpace hosted many popular exhibitions, commissioning works by Kate Gilmore, Marie Lorenz and Gabriel Vormstein, among others, for the gallery's large Hudson (Show)Room and WindowWorks space.

Drutt's vision for Artpace was international and ambitious.

"Matthew has been instrumental in furthering Artpace's history," J. Travis Capps, Jr., Chair of Artpace's Board of Directors, stated in a press release, "Under his leadership Artpace mounted the most ambitious exhibition in its history-- the statewide presentation of Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Billboards-- and developed a professional staff that provides unmatched contemporary art programming that is accessible and free to the public."

Artpace's Board of Directors has already begun a national search for the next Executive Director.

In the meantime, Associate Director of Development, Mary Heathcott, will serve as Interim Managing Director at Artpace. She will oversee upcoming exhibitions of work by artists like Tracey Moffatt and projects like Potter-Belmar Labs , for which the bulk of curatorial work has already been done.

"We on staff are fully confident Mary will make a great Interim Director," says Artpace's Manager of Public Affairs, Matt Johns, "We're really excited about the upcoming year."

Heathcott also anticipates a busy, productive year for the gallery, which showcases contemporary art year round in downtown San Antonio.

"We have an exceedingly talented staff and talented artists working with us," she explains, "Artpace continues to flourish."

Drutt has not publicized his reasons for leaving.

No comments: