The Arts and Science Center has been limping along in terms of long-term leadership since the departure of Rachel Miller more than a year ago, but now it appears they are in good shape once more.
This week, the center’s board announced the hiring of Celeste Marie Alexander as director.
No doubt, the board looked broadly for someone to take the helm before looking inward and selecting not an employee, per se, but a volunteer.
Alexander, who has a string of degrees, has been been a part of the Arts Center for more than 20 years.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
As this week’s story said, her contributions include “performing in stage productions, serving on ASC’s performing arts committee, participating in fund-raising efforts and serving on ASC’s endowment board.” To call her a volunteer then, what with all of those bits of experience, is an understatement.
What is clear is that Alexander has loved what the Arts Center does for two decades, so much so that she has worked for no pay, and now she would appear to be fully ready to take over.
That arrangement and conclusion are a bit unusual, but we imagine the Arts Center leadership is fully appreciating the serendipity of it all and counting itself fortunate to be able to tap Alexander for the job. Certainly, the board chair sounded that way.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Alexander as our next executive director,” said Iry Rice, chairman of the center’s board. “Celeste’s strong leadership, deep roots in Pine Bluff, and unwavering dedication to the arts and education make her the ideal person to lead the Arts and Science Center into this next chapter.”
In reality, Alexander might have been happy right where she was – helping out but leaving someone else with the headaches. But she stepped up and sounds delighted to have done so.
“It’s truly an honor to serve an organization that has been close to my heart for most of my life,” she said. “The Arts and Science Center has given me the joy of performing, the privilege of volunteering and the opportunity to grow alongside a community of incredibly talented and kind people. I am excited to continue ASC’s mission of enriching lives through the arts, science and education, and to help ensure it remains a vibrant cultural hub for Southeast Arkansas.”
In that quote, she pulls together all of the pieces of what the Arts Center is, with a mission that attempts to pull together arts and culture and present them in such a way as to benefit the community. Someone new walking in the door would, no doubt, need awhile to get the gist of what the center means. Alexander does not, having lived and breathed the full depth and breadth of having a first class facility such as this in our midst.
Congratulations and best wishes, Dr. Alexander. We are all rooting for you!