The Hunter Museum of American Art Board of Trustees announced that it has accepted the resignation of Executive Director Daniel Stetson. Virginia Anne Sharber was appointed interim executive director.
“I am proud of the accomplishments we have made during my time at Hunter Museum,” said Mr. Stetson. “Together with our team of board members, community partners, staff and volunteers, we have advanced the Hunter Museum as a leader among community organizations committed to the arts in Chattanooga and the region. I am proud to have taken the Hunter Museum to a new level of quality, excellence and opportunity during my tenure.”
Accomplishments during his leadership include: the restoration of the Hunter Mansion and establishment of the George T. Hunter Society, the first planned estate giving initiative for the museum. He expanded the professional staff and recruited major exhibits including African American Art from the Smithsonian American Art Museum exhibition and the New York Times Magazine photography exhibition on view, as well as the national touring exhibition of Deep River by Whitfield Lovell and the upcoming Monet and American Impressionism exhibit. He also secured the underwriting and private funding of these major initiatives.
Regina Rose, chairwoman of the Hunter Museum Board, said, “We are very appreciative of Dan’s service to the museum as well as his passion for The Hunter and for Chattanooga. Dan has been instrumental in bringing nationally recognized exhibitions to the Hunter and leading us through a period of continued growth and stability during his tenure.”
Interim Executive Director Virginia Anne Sharber has been involved with Chattanooga arts organizations for a number of years. She chaired the ArtsBuild (then Allied Arts) board, the Bill Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute and the Cultural Cabinet of ArtsBuild, which oversaw the Imagine Chattanooga 2020 cultural planning process. Appointed by then Mayor Bob Corker, she chaired the Chattanooga Public Art Committee during the 21st Century Waterfront development and currently is again serving as chairwoman of the Public Art Committee. At the request of Mayor Andy Berke, Virginia Anne co-chaired the Chattanooga Forward Arts & Culture task force.
She also served on the board of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and has chaired the boards of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Memorial Health Care Foundation, Chattanooga Women's Leadership Institute and the Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga. Additionally, Ms. Sharber has volunteered on the boards of educational institutions, including Baylor School, the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and Bright School, where she served as a board chairwoman. She is a member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club and a former partner at Miller & Martin where she practiced commercial real estate law for 25 years.
“Hunter Museum plays a vital role in building and maintaining Chattanooga’s vibrant arts community. Virginia Anne has extensive leadership experience in the arts, which will provide continuity as we conduct a thorough evaluation of the museum’s strategic plan and programs to provide a clear direction in the selection of a new executive director,” said Ms. Rose. “We will be evaluating our programs and exhibits to ensure we are fostering an affinity for the arts in ways that are relevant in our changing world and are engaging a wide cross-section of our community.”