View Board President Chris Gaige announces the retirement of Executive Director Jennifer Potter Hayes effective December 31, 2016. Ms. Potter Hayes has served View, the Adirondack arts and community center, located on Route 28 in Old Forge, since 2010 and has led the organization’s transformation from a small-town arts center to a nationally recognized institution that is now a cultural anchor for the western Adirondacks.Mr. Gaige said, “Jennifer has inspired staff and volunteers to grow View into a tremendous local resource that offers world-class exhibits and performances, including the top-ranked Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolors and ballerina Suzanne Farrell. We thank Jennifer for her service to View, to the arts, and to the Old Forge community.”
Ms. Potter Hayes was responsible for ensuring the completion in 2011 of the new 11 million-dollar “green” View facility, including orchestrating critical financing through the United States Department of Agriculture and Kinderhook Bank. Under Ms. Potter Hayes’ leadership the arts center was rebranded as “View,” and she grew the staff and operating budget to fulfill the vision enabled by the new facility. View has raised more than $5 million in gifts to support building and operations during her tenure.
Ms. Potter Hayes said that it has been a privilege meeting the thousands of artists and people who have visited View to learn, teach, perform and exhibit. “After participating in over 175 exhibitions and witnessing hundreds of performances and workshops, I feel very honored to have served as executive director during an incredible period of transformation and growth for the arts center. It’s amazing to think about the arts careers that have had an opportunity to grow and flourish because of View. I’m looking forward to remaining involved for a long time as student, artist, and volunteer.”
Mr. Gaige said the Board has organized an executive search committee, comprised of Linda Cohen, Tom Down, Chris Gaige, Fritz Messere, Kerry Rogers, Kathy Ruscitto, and Dave Vogel, and the search for an executive director replacement is underway. Details are available at ViewArts.org.