Local arts council hires new director, gallery manager

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correctly state that Bri Dewitt has a master's degree in history from Southeast Missouri State University.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri has a new executive director and gallery manager.

Sara Moore took over two weeks ago for Murielle Gaither, who served as executive director for five years. Bri DeWitt took over for Liz Montgomery as gallery manager.

Gaither took a job as managing director of her family’s business, Merriwether Investments Inc.

As executive director, Gaither managed day-to-day operations, promotions, marketing and social media for the Arts Council, and she has many of the same duties in her new position. She has more flexibility to take care of her infant son, Reed, while at work at Merriwether Investments, she said.

“It was a positive move for everybody involved,” Gaither said of moving on from the Arts Council.

Moore, originally from the St. Louis area, previously worked for the Perry County Historical Society.

She was part of fundraising efforts, marketing, managing donations and managing 100 years of records from various county offices.

Moore also worked for the History Museum on the Square in Springfield, Missouri.

She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, with an emphasis in photography and a minor in art history, from Missouri State University.

“It was like fate,” Moore said of being involved with the arts. “That’s my passion and enthusiasm. That’s really what I want to do. Their goals were what my goals were. My goals are to get out into the community and spread the word about the arts.”

Former gallery manager Montgomery moved to the St. Louis area after her husband was hired at a new job, Moore and Gaither said. DeWitt has been working as the gallery manager for about a month.

DeWitt previously worked for the Kellerman Foundation in Cape Girardeau as a coordinator. She made exhibits, met with board members and helped organize donations to the historic-preservation foundation. DeWitt, originally from Dexter, Missouri, has a master’s degree in history from Southeast Missouri State University.

Her duties as gallery manager include working and coordinating with the public and organizing the gallery.

During her time as executive director, Gaither spearheaded the council’s July 1 move to its current location at 16 S. Spanish St.

“It put the Arts Council on the map,” Gaither said. “We really didn’t have that before.”

Gaither also was part of growing the Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, developing an outdoor-sculpture exhibit and securing grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Missouri Arts Council and numerous private and corporate grants to provide educational, arts-based workshops for underserved youth.

“It came with great shock and disappointment to have received both Liz Montgomery’s resignation from her position of gallery manager, and Murielle Gaither’s resignation from her position of executive director shortly thereafter,” board member Mark Welker wrote in an email. “Both have served the Arts Council with professionalism, talent, enthusiasm and commitment to mission of the organization. The accomplishments of Murielle and Liz during their tenure have been recognized and greatly appreciated from the board of directors, members, artists, educators and the community at large. The board wishes both well on their future endeavors.”

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

16 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Pertinent address:

16 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.