A Few Goodbyes…

 

For the last seventeen years, visitors to Laurel Arts have had the opportunity to meet and work with Terri Klink.  During that time Terri served in many capacities:  Bookkeeper, Newsletter Coordinator/Editor, Dance Administrator, Class Coordinator, Office Manager, and Special Events & Public Programs Coordinator.  Terri worked very hard to make every program succeed and to insure that everyone had a wonderful arts experience.  As Terri moves on to pursue other endeavors we wish her well and thank her for her years of service to Laurel Arts.

 

Robert “Rick” Rickenbrode resigned his Maintenance Assistant’s position in early August to accept a position as Sexton at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Over the last sixteen months, Rick assisted Clair with all aspects of maintaining Laurel Arts’ buildings and grounds.  We appreciated his efforts and look forward to working with him when Art Seeds takes place at Trinity this Fall.

 

Briana Mapes, Gallery Assistant, completed her last day on August 9^th.  She has moved to St. Francis University where she will be continuing her education and playing on the school’s tennis team.  We wish her well in all of her endeavors.

 

…and a Welcome to New Staff

 

In keeping with its thirty two year history, Laurel Arts has hired new staff members to join the team, continue existing programming, and prepare to take Laurel Arts into the future.  Three new faces and one returning veteran make up the new members of Laurel Arts’ staff.

 

Janie Leck-Grela began her tenure as Assistant Director on August 18.  In this position, Janie will serve as the artistic director of Laurel Arts.  She will oversee all education/programming areas including education, special events, and dance.  Janie will also be responsible for public relations and marketing.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has extensive experience in teaching, development of arts programming, and grant writing.

 

Joel Hoover will be joining the team on September 8 as Dance & Special Events Coordinator.  In this role Joel will coordinate all aspects of the dance program from working with students and parents to coordinating fundraisers, competitions, trips, and the recital.  In the area of special events, he will facilitate a variety of Laurel Arts programs from Somerfest, and the First Night of Christmas to the Dorothy Dressler Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament, and Jazz Nights Out.  Joel has a BA in Liberal Studies from California University of Pennsylvania and has experience in theater and special events planning.  He also has taken dance classes at college and has taught ballroom dancing.

                ~ Michael Knecht
                   Laurel Arts Executive Director