After leading Creative Arts Workshop (CAW) as interim director since March of last year, Katharine “Trina” Mace Learned is officially taking over as executive director.
CAW announced Learned’s leadership in a press release citing her “innovating thinking and creativity” and her accomplishments over the last year as interim director.
Learned produced two exhibitions: the recent “Alchemy of Art: Ann P. Lehman and Creative Arts Workshop” and current “Made Visible: Origins in Belonging” exhibitions. She has also spent the last year “increasing enrollment, instigating community programs, and fostering collaborations with Educational Center for the Arts, ArtSpace, and others.”
Learned, who lives in New Haven with her family, also serves as president of the New Haven Museum’s board of directors and chairs the Historic District Commission for the city. She has spent her career working in operations, planning, and finances — with and for educational and arts organizations.
As executive director, Learned will focus on “innovation in art instruction and program diversity on Audubon Street and throughout the community,” collaboration with institutions, and “broadened accessibility to art and to art-making for everyone” while overseeing the operations of CAW.
“Post-pandemic, Creative Arts Workshop must move into the community with accessible art-making programs while throwing open our physical doors to welcome present and future artists,” Learned is quoted in the press release as saying. “The process of making art is just as important as the end product. Sharing that work throughout the community enriches us all.”
What a great choice to lead the CAW at a time when they need to improve their process' and increase support from the community. Trina has the organizational skills to make it happen for the CAW - and has deep roots in the community to bring us all on-board.