Archive for Friday, November 7, 2008
Lawrence Arts Center selects new director
The Lawrence Arts Center now has a new leader. David Leamon will take over as director of the arts center on November 17.
November 7, 2008
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Reception planned Nov. 21
A reception for David Leamon, new executive director of the Lawrence Arts Center, will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the arts center, 940 N.H. The reception also will welcome two other new hires - Sandy Sander, director of development, and Rick Yarnell, director of business.
A longtime librarian will become the next executive director of the Lawrence Arts Center.
David Leamon, who served as director of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library from 1992 to 2005, will come out of retirement to lead the arts center starting Nov. 17.
"It contributes to the ambiance of Lawrence," Leamon said of the arts center. "There's a lot to look at. It's uplifting - we need more of that, particularly in this climate."
The selection, announced Friday, ends an 11-month search to replace longtime director Ann Evans, who retired at the end of 2007.
Officials thought they had made a hire in June, when they narrowed their finalists to one - Talena Mara, a former education director at New York City Opera who also has taught at the Juilliard School in New York. But the center's board and Mara weren't able to come to terms.
This time, Dan Sabatini, the architect who chaired the search committee, said he's satisfied the arts center found its man.
"I'm extremely happy," he said. "I think we found the correct fit for us."
Leamon guided the Topeka library through construction of a new library in 2002 that is regarded as one of the best in the region. He led the re-establishment of the Library Foundation and helped raise more than $4 million for its activities.
Previously, he served as director of the San Antonio Public Library.
Though his career has been focused on libraries, he has a bachelor's degree in art and served as an art teacher after college. He also has incorporated art exhibition space into the libraries he helped construct in San Antonio and Topeka.
Leamon said he wants to rejuvenate the excitement that was created when the Lawrence Arts Center moved to its new facility, at 940 N.H., in 2001. He listed increased advertising as one of his immediate goals for the arts center, saying the center should serve as a regional hub for the arts.
He also said fundraising would be a priority for the center, which has a $1.4 million annual budget and 16 full-time staff members. He'd eventually like to expand the facility but admits the economic climate isn't right to pursue that now.
Despite being in his late 60s, Leamon said he has no plans to be a short-term director.
"If I can really get this thing going and develop a strong rapport with the staff and the public, I'd probably love to keep doing this," he said. "It's one of those things I always dreamed of, but I never thought I'd cross an opportunity like that."
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7 November 2008
at 3:13 p.m.
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4chewnut (Anonymous) says…
First job in the arts?
7 November 2008
at 3:34 p.m.
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December (Anonymous) says…
Now you can go to the arts center to check stuff out !
7 November 2008
at 4:43 p.m.
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edjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
Whatever happened to having to have industry experience to be hired…Always works against me.
7 November 2008
at 4:54 p.m.
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Isay (Anonymous) says…
Actually, I think this guy has a BA of Fine Art and a BA in Theater, in addition to his Library degree. I know he used to teach in the Kansas City area. His wife is an artist and he has at least one kid who is too. Besides, have you seen their library in Topeka? Holy crap! Imagine if he does that same thing for the Arts Center.Whatever happened to giving a guy a chance?
7 November 2008
at 5:14 p.m.
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srj (Anonymous) says…
Dude even has a Wikipedia page :)
7 November 2008
at 5:19 p.m.
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wysiwyg69 (Anonymous) says…
do you see a trend [going straight down], san antonio- topeka- and down to lawrence, whats next, baldwin.
7 November 2008
at 6:12 p.m.
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q_ball2kand1 (Anonymous) says…
Wrong…Topeka to Lawrence. Huge step up.
7 November 2008
at 7:22 p.m.
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Isay (Anonymous) says…
Plus, the dude is kinda old. He's “retired” so lets see…
8 November 2008
at 7:44 a.m.
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justthefacts (Anonymous) says…
Let's see how he does before we start name calling, shall we? Many times, hiring someone older means you get someone with tons of experience who has made enough $$ that they now have the luxury to do something for less money, and even less difficult but just as important to those impacted. Plus the Topeka Library is an excellent resource for that city, so here's hoping Mr. Leamon can help our Arts Center be the same kind of prized destination. Welcome Mr. Leamon. I am pulling for you!
8 November 2008
at 9:33 a.m.
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dstavin (Anonymous) says…
I heard that Talena Mara ultimately didn't get the job because she wasn't willing to work on weekends.—Deb Stavin
8 November 2008
at 10:47 a.m.
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lmb (Anonymous) says…
what the h??? The director retired so they could hire someone even OLDER who doesn't know what he's doing? That's ridiculous…they might as well shut down now so someone can use the building to run a successful art center.
8 November 2008
at 11:52 a.m.
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cschott (Anonymous) says…
David is my cousin, and I can tell you that he is a very effective director. He has excelled at everything he has done. Cindy Schott Hutchison
8 November 2008
at 12:31 p.m.
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Luxor (Anonymous) says…
The new director is going to have a lot of clean up work to do. This guy is by far the best choice. There's no one in Lawrence qualified for the job.
8 November 2008
at 12:44 p.m.
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frankfussman (Anonymous) says…
Let's hope that in his spare time he can help us improve our own Lawrence Public Library. It's a pity that we don't have anything comparable to the Topeka library.
10 November 2008
at 6:56 a.m.
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speedykitty (Anonymous) says…
You people take the cake. I frequently look at the blogs following news items just to see how dumb some people can be. You must just love to hear your keyboards rattle. Mr. Leamon is a capable gentleman, and will be an asset to your arts center. I remember his good work at the Topeka Library. I spoke to him recently at his booth at the Pilot Club Antique show, and he likely has several productive years remaining, since you are so concerned about him being 68, therefore “old”. Do any of YOU know how many years you have left?I hope he doesn't read the trash entries.
10 November 2008
at 9:19 a.m.
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Thinking_Out_Loud (Anonymous) says…
Director Leamon's age not only should not be an issue, but by the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (and its State equivalent) is disallowed as an issue. the USDOL's website notes that “The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects…applicants…40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring….” https://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/discrim…