Newly named director of arts and culture for the city of Lawrence, Christina McClelland, shares a laugh with Lawrence residents Anne Patterson, left, and Erica Zabusky during a welcoming reception at the Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive, Monday that give the public a chance to meet McClelland. Before coming to Lawrence, McClelland was previously the Public Art Coordinator for the City and County of Denver, Colo.

Lawrence’s first director of arts and culture is leaving after just three months on the job.

The city announced Tuesday that Christina McClelland submitted her resignation and would leave the position in mid-January. According to the city, McClelland said that due to limited job opportunities for her husband in the area, she would be rejoining him in Denver. 

Mayor Mike Amyx said he understood McClelland’s situation but was sorry to see her go because she seemed “really right” for the job.

“It’s an extremely important position for the city,” Amyx said, noting ongoing arts efforts and development in the Warehouse Arts District. “I don’t think it’ll slow things down. We’ll go through a (hiring) process again … but it’s going to take a little time.”

The city has immediately begun a search to fill the position.

Before coming to Lawrence McClelland was a public art coordinator for the city and county of Denver and the public arts coordinator for the city of Urbana, Ill. 

“It has been a privilege to work with the very engaged arts community in Lawrence,” McClelland said in the city’s announcement. “I am confident the city will have no difficulty in identifying a great person to work with the community on exciting initiatives such as the City’s first cultural plan and the Ninth Street Corridor project.”