LEWISTON — The board of directors of L/A Arts announces that Gerald Walsh is the new arts agency manager.
Walsh, a visual artist, received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and has exhibited his work across the Northeast for the past two decades. He has taught at several art schools, as well as Central Maine Community College in Auburn and has done curatorial work for private galleries. He works as an art preparator at the Bates College Museum of Art in Lewiston.
He was also sole proprietor and baker at Knead Bakery, specializing in soft pretzels, and worked as a lead baker at Forage Market.
Walsh, who has served on the boards of Museum L-A and L/A Arts, brings extensive experience in visual and performing arts, art installation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement to this role. His love for supporting Maine artists, craftspeople, performing artists and makers rounds out his expertise.
“I am more encouraged than ever by the L/A Arts mission to engage and inspire a vibrant community through arts and culture,” Walsh said. “I see potential everywhere and look forward to advancing the organization’s strategic work in this exciting arts landscape.”
James Parakilas, chairman of the L/A Arts board, said, “Gerald will bring a terrific combination of professionalism, vision, imagination, and arts advocacy to this role. We look forward to working with him to grow our programs in the coming years, particularly as we move into our new space at 168 Lisbon St. this fall.”
Walsh lives in Lewiston, with his wife, Sherie Blumenthal, and their two children.
Walsh succeeds Alison Gibbs, who joined L/A Arts as office and communications manager in 2019 and has played a pivotal role in extending the organization’s reach into the whole community, especially with its public art program, and in sustaining the organization’s initiatives through the COVID-19 pandemic. Gibbs will continue to play an important role at L/A Arts as a board member.
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