After serving as executive director of The Arts Council for almost four decades, Gladys Wyant has announced her retirement from the Gainesville non-profit.
A search committee chaired by Arts Council board member Ron Quinn has started a nationwide search to fill the position.
Wyant plans to step down this summer, although she will serve as a consultant to The Arts Council in the transition to new leadership, according to a press statement released Wednesday morning.
"Gladys has been with our organization for so long and wears so many hats - from fund-raising, arts programming and event planning to facility construction - that it will be very difficult to replace her," Quinn said. "She will be leaving big shoes to fill as Gainesville's First Lady of the Arts."
Under Wyant's leadership, the organization has grown into a regional organization with more than $8 million in assets and a network of performing arts venues and meeting sites. The most recognized facility is the Arts Council Smithgall Center just off the downtown Gainesville Square. Most recently, the facility underwent the addition of an expanded performance stage and pavilion overlooking the downtown amphitheater.
Even as Wyant has made her impact on the Northeast Georgia arts community, she credits others with helping her carry her vision forward over the last 37 years, including Lessie Smithgall, the first president of The Arts Council.
"I have tried to live by the rule that you can accomplish so much more as long as it doesn't matter who gets the credit," Wyant said. "I've also refused to listen to those who say 'this will never happen' or 'you can't do this' and instead worked under the radar to empower others to achieve great things for the arts across our region."
Wyant said she is looking forward to watching The Arts Council's transition to new leadership and seeing the arts move to even greater heights in Gainesville and Hall County.
