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Chester County Press

Executive director of Oxford Arts Alliance retires

12/06/2018 08:32AM ● By J. Chambless

The executive director of the Oxford Arts Alliance, Judy Petersen, has announced she will be retiring from the Alliance to focus on her work as an artist. She had announced her intended resignation to the Arts Alliance board in the fall.

Board president Catharine Dann Roeber said, “The entire board and staff are so thankful for all Judy has done to ensure a growing and thriving Oxford Arts Alliance. We wish her the best as she pursues new and exciting endeavors, and are thrilled she will continue as a vibrant partner of the arts in Oxford.”

Petersen will fulfill her duties through the end of 2018.

Petersen was a board member for the Alliance since 2012, and assumed the role of executive director for the last 18 months. “It was my goal to create best practices and a new staff model,” she said. “The Alliance is celebrating 10 years, and will continue to serve the community and grow with the Oxford art scene.”

The Alliance will be led by Tony Derrico, director of education, while a replacement executive director is found. Derrico is the assistant director for the Alliance.

“Along with the Alliance continuing to be a part of the growing art scene in Oxford, my goal is to bring our Touch of Earth studio to downtown, along with a gallery,” Petersen said.

She will continue to be the liaison co-lead for the Connective Arts & Music Festival, specifically Gallery Row and art demonstrators. “2018 was a success, and our 2019 Festival Event Committee is a group of staff and volunteers with energy, creativity and leadership,” Petersen said. The event will be held Aug. 3, 2019.

“For my family, Oxford has become our hometown,” Petersen said. “This is a town that has uniqueness and people with passion. It is moving forward to become a destination for art, music, dining, entertainment and much more, not only in Southern Chester County, but the tri-state area. I am very honored and excited to be a part of this movement.”

For more information about the Oxford Arts Alliance, visit www.oxfordart.org.