After seven years of serving as director of the Dairy Barn Arts Center, Andrea Lewis said she is tired.
Lewis announced her resignation this week to the center's board of trustees, effective early 2012.
“Running a nonprofit of that size of an organization takes a tremendous amount of energy,” she said. “Sometimes it’s difficult and amazing and wonderful and constantly challenging to keep everything running smoothly. It’s a 24/7 job.”
Lewis graduated from Ohio University in 1997 with a degree from the College of Fine Arts and has since lived in Athens with her husband — also an OU alumnus and someone she said she wants to spend more time with.
“I’m starting to get a bit tired,” she said. “I have a family and children and I miss out on opportunities, but I don’t want the Barn to suffer because I would take that time away from something. I’m ready to look for some new challenges.”
However, Lewis said she will retain her involvement with art programs in Athens, including her appointed position on the Athens Municipal Arts Commission.
“I think some of the best parts of my job -- whether it’s a program for children or a fundraiser to promote the mission -- is that end product and excitement they have to participate in arts,” she said. “It has been wonderful.”
Lewis said she isn’t sure yet what she'll do once her time at the Dairy Barn is done.
“I don’t have anywhere I’m heading next,” she said. “I wanted to give the board respectful, adequate notice to find a replacement before I began looking.”
The board of trustees has started the process of searching for a new executive director and will begin looking at applications Dec. 26, according to a news release.
“Andrea will be missed by all who have gotten to know her as a very dynamic executive director and advocate for the arts in southeastern Ohio,” said Connie Esmond-Kiger, the board's president, in the release. “The search for a new executive director will begin immediately, and Andrea will stay on until early next year to ensure a smooth transition towards new leadership. We also expect to continue to see her in and around the Dairy Barn as a loyal patron and supporter.”
Lewis has an idea of the sort of person the job requires.
“Anyone who decides to lead an organization as precious as the Dairy Barn needs to have a lot of energy, good ties with the community, and appreciation for the community that we live in,” Lewis said. “They should have a love of arts and advocate for the arts not only in the community and school but across the state as well.
