Leader of Touchstone Center for Crafts stepping down
Lindsay Ketterer Gates, who has led Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington for eight years, will be stepping down next Monday.
Ketterer Gates has led the nonprofit arts and crafts organization for eight years. Pam Komar, Touchstone’s development director, will become the interim executive director while the search for a new director is underway.
Touchstone Center for Crafts has a campus in Farmington and operates Touchstone by the Falls, a facility in Ohiopyle. It offers classes and workshops in such areas as blacksmithing, ceramics, woodworking, painting and more.
“While I am stepping away from executive leadership at Touchstone, I will continue to be a proud supporter of the organization and advocate for artists and the arts,” Ketterer Gates said in a statement. “I leave with tremendous confidence in Touchstone’s future and in the people who will lead the organization into its next chapter.”
Along with being at the helm of Touchstone, Ketterer Gates has also worked as an artist in her own right. Her work is part of the collections of the Yale University Art Gallery, the Museum of Art and Design in New York and other institutions.
Roy W. Arnold, who chairs Touchstone’s board, said the organization will “remain steadfast in our commitment to serving artists, students, audiences and communities through exceptional craft education and creative experiences.”
He also said the board “has every confidence in (Komar’s) ability to provide steady, effective leadership during this transition. Her understanding of the organization, commitment to the arts and strong relationships throughout the Touchstone community make her well-positioned to guide Touchstone during this transitional period.”
For information on Touchstone Center for Crafts, go online to touchstonecrafts.org.