Dear Pilchuck friends and supporters,

I am writing to introduce myself as Pilchuck Glass School’s Interim Executive Director. Arthur Jacobus resigned as CEO/Executive Director effective December 11, to return to the performing arts sector. I have been an active member of Pilchuck’s Board of Trustees since 1992 and have served as Board President for the past five years. Randy Lert, current Board Vice President, has agreed to take over as Interim Board President.

It is an exciting time at Pilchuck. The organization is in a strong position as we wrap up the fiscal year. We raised more than $1,170,000 at our Annual Auction in October , meeting our aggressive fundraising goal in spite of a challenging economy and a subdued market for art. Pilchuck was also awarded a $50,000 grant in July from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We were one of 631 grantees selected from a pool of 2,700 other applicants.

In addition to the financial successes of 2009 is the promise of an outstanding Summer Program in 2010. The catalog will be mailed this week and posted to the Pilchuck.com website on Friday, December 18. The 2010 Program features renowned instructors and artists in residence from across the United States and abroad including Iceland, Japan, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Australia and Germany.

I know I speak for the Board of Trustees, staff and artists at Pilchuck when I say that we greatly appreciate all of our supporters who are instrumental in sustaining Pilchuck’s role as the world’s première center for glass art education. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide additional information on this transition. I will be working closely with Pilchuck’s Board of Trustees, staff members and the executive search firm DHR International to conduct the search for a permanent Executive Director. We expect to fill the position within the first half of 2010. I may be reached by telephone at (206) 621-8422 x22 or via email at pwallace@pilchuck.com.

Best regards,

Pat Wallace
Interim Executive Director
Pilchuck Glass School