Greetings!
Today the City of Sacramento City Manager John Shirey announced that Public Art Program Director, Shelly Willis, has been appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director for the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC). Shelly has been with SMAC since early 2008, overseeing one of SMAC's largest programs. Most notably, she has managed the $8 million dollar public art project for the newly expanded Sacramento International Airport's Terminal B.
"Prior to joining SMAC, Shelly has been well known in the local arts community," said Barbara Bonebrake, director for the City of Sacramento Convention Culture and Leisure." Given her well-rounded expertise, institutional knowledge, and vision, this will certainly assist in facilitating a smooth transition."
Shelly isn't new to Sacramento. She began her career in arts administration at the California Arts Council in the early '90s. After spending six years managing the University of Minnesota public art program, where she directed the development and installation of temporary and permanent public artworks throughout the University of Minnesota system and initiated a public art minor program, she decided to return to Sacramento.
Shelly notes that, "For the past 25 years I've worked as an arts administrator and curator within city, county, and state government agencies, private nonprofits and at a major University, this coupled with a deep understanding of the Sacramento arts community has prepared me for managing the transition. I'm excited to serve in this capacity to build upon previous executive director Rhyena Halpern's achievements and continue to work with the amazing staff here at SMAC."
Read the press release here.