Arts Center welcomes Pennsylvania native as new executive director
By LYDIA GEHRING; LYDIA GEHRING | |
Proquest LLC |
Sear took over the reigns of former director
"Just with her background in the arts we know she is going to be a dynamic leader," said Arts Center Board President
Sear grew up near
While attending
At Clarion she became a professor in its theater department and also became involved in a local dance studio that would soon close its doors, giving Sear the career opportunity she'd been dreaming of."So I went to the bank and took it over," Sear said. "Twenty years later I took over a former JCPenney building and built the studio into four studios and then I sold it."
She continued to challenge herself with other projects, including working with the
"While I was looking for my next challenge, I found this (the position at the Arts Center)," Sear said. "I want to bring my experience with building community through this gem in the community that just needs more awareness to see what we can do here. This is me. People use me as a change agent, a starter. Once we get to a place of maintaining, oftentimes it is time for a new leader. Whatever the organization needs to get there I'm here to spend the time to make it happen and when it's time for a new leader I'm ready to move on."
"Her energy was really important -- not only what she provided on paper but also her interaction," Nichols said. "She has a real passion for the arts. We looked at a lot of the other projects she has done -- she has not just focused on dance. ... She has an articulation for being relevant to the different communities you serve. And not just
Burke agreed with Nichols, saying she was impressed with her experience and depth of knowledge in all art mediums, made possible in part because she was a dance instructor and because she also owned her own studio.
"The value she has brought to the communities she has previously been in is very impressive," Burke said. "I tend to approach everything from a business standpoint, and she truly understands how a business works. Dayna understands the financials and truly has a handle on things. She is also a very talented graphic designer. She is a dancer, artist and she has owned her own business, so I don't think we could have gone wrong with her."
Now a resident of
"There are so many things here that aren't in communities I have been in in the past," she said. "I'm just looking forward to finding out what is here. Some communities just have that vibe and
Living editor
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