CONTACT: 937-223-5277
Kim Patton, ext. 223, kpatton@daytonartinstitute.org

Renee Roberts, ext. 222, rroberts@daytonartinstitute.org

May 30, 2008

THE DAYTON ART INSTITUTE APPOINTS CHIEF CURATOR

(DAYTON, OH) – The Dayton Art Institute announced today the appointment of Will South as the museum’s chief curator. South has been Curator of Collections for the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 2000. Prior to that, he was a curator at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah.

“Will South brings scholarly distinction and substantial curatorial experience to the position of chief curator at The Dayton Art Institute. He is known for his ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and engagement with his community,” says Dayton Art Institute Director and CEO Janice Driesbach. “Will offers a broad understanding of art history with a specialization in American art, which is one of the strengths of the Museum’s outstanding collections. His background in growing collections, organizing exhibitions, writing catalogue essays, and overseeing museum storage projects will surely be of great benefit as The Dayton Art Institute moves forward.”

“A wonderful opportunity has been extended to me to join the team of professionals at The Dayton Art Institute. The building itself and its contents are all the evidence any visitor would need to see the long-term commitment to the arts that exists in Dayton, and I am excited to become a part of this tradition,” says Will South. “While I have enjoyed working for a fine university museum for years, the possibilities of working with a larger collection and a broader audience are likewise exciting. My wife and I look forward to settling in, rolling up our sleeves, and serving the community.”

South has a Ph.D. in Art History from the City University of New York, an M.A. in Art History from the University of Utah, and a B.A. in Studio Art from Loyola Marymount University. He is the author of several books and exhibition catalogues including works on American Modernist Stanton Macdonald-Wright and American Impressionist James T. Harwood. He has organized exhibitions on such diverse topics as American Modernism, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Japanese prints.

South will begin his duties as Chief Curator on September 1 after relocating to the Dayton area with his wife, Sara Cogswell.

ABOUT THE DAYTON ART INSTITUTE

As the Miami Valley’s only fine art museum, The Dayton Art Institute offers a full range of programming in addition to exhibiting its collection. The galleries and Museum Store are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. Free parking is available at the museum and the facility is fully accessible to physically challenged visitors. CAFÉ MONET by Elegant Fare serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, please call 937-223-4ART or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.

The Ohio Arts Council, a state agency that supports public programs in the arts, helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.