BEST WISHES TO ARTS COUNCIL DIRECTOR

Greg Jones is leaving Cape Girardeau and his post as director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

His one and a half years at the arts council has infused new ideas and energy into the organization. He will be sorely missed at the helm.

Jones begins work in mid-February as the creative arts coordinator for the Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio. In this impressive position, Jones will oversee 42 in-house arts instructors.

In his brief stint in Cape Girardeau, Jones has taken the arts council in new directions. He helped find permanent space for the gallery and extend the hours to encourage greater public perusal of shows. He also established a second gallery to showcase the works of regional artists. That kind of local support is integral to building a strong arts community.

He worked to increase accessibility of the arts with more community-based programs and a newsletter that included arts programs sponsored by various organizations throughout the region. He also beefed up the staff with interns from Southeast Missouri State University.

Jones leadership at the arts council demonstrates that people can make a significant difference no matter their tenure.

We wish Jones well in his new job. His successor certainly will be expected to will continue the fine work that Jones started.