(Back)

March 15, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Board of Directors of Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce the hiring of a new executive director, Judy Lloyd, of Brunswick. Johnson Hall, a historic opera house, is located in downtown Gardiner,at 280 Water St. The nonprofit organization presents concerts and programs in the renovated first floor studio space, and works in the community with schools and groups to bring arts programs to children and adults. The board has long-range plans to renovate the third floor of the hall into a performing arts theater seating about 400. Lloyd, who was hired after an extensive search, began the full-time position in early February. She will be expanding the programming, raising funds,managing the office, conducting marketing, coordinating volunteers, and collaborating with other community groups.

Lloyd was the founding executive director of the Brunswick Area Arts & Cultural Alliance (BAACA) from 1998 to 2003 and conducted the Brunswick Area Cultural Directory project funded by the Maine Arts Commission in1997-98. She was Foundation and Corporate Relations Manager for Maine College of Art in 2003. As director of BAACA, Lloyd helped bring together community groups, businesses, artists and performers, town officials and arts supporters to build the community organization. She holds a BA in English from Tufts University and a Master of Social Work from University of Connecticut School of Social Work.

John Shaw, President of the Johnson Hall Board of Directors, said, "We've worked long and hard to get to a point where we can hire a top-flight administrator to help us move our organization forward. I think Judy has been worth the wait and we have high hopes for her ability to work with the community to help build an arts organization that is an integral part of our economic development effort here in Gardiner."

Lloyd commented, "I am excited about the opportunity to work with this dedicated board of directors and arts supporters in the Gardiner community to make Johnson Hall a vibrant part of the downtown once again. I'm especially pleased to be part of the effort to restore the beautiful theater upstairs. We're grateful for the financial support of the City of Gardiner and so many businesses and individual donors. As we increase our programming and use of the space, I look forward to welcoming community groups, arts presenters and people of all ages to Johnson Hall."

Johnson Hall's web site is www.johnsonhall.org. Contact Johnson Hall at 582-7144 or at its new e-mail, johnsonhall@gwi.net.

The Board of Directors of Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center is pleased
to announce the hiring of a new executive director, Judy Lloyd, of
Brunswick.
Johnson Hall, a historic opera house, is located in downtown Gardiner,
at 280 Water St. The nonprofit organization presents concerts and
programs in the renovated first floor studio space, and works in the
community with schools and groups to bring arts programs to children and
adults. The board has long-range plans to renovate the third floor of
the hall into a performing arts theater seating about 400. Lloyd, who
was hired after an extensive search, began the full-time position in
early February. She will be expanding the programming, raising funds,
managing the office, conducting marketing, coordinating volunteers, and
collaborating with other community groups.

Lloyd was the founding executive director of the Brunswick Area Arts &
Cultural Alliance (BAACA) from 1998 to 2003 and conducted the Brunswick
Area Cultural Directory project funded by the Maine Arts Commission in
1997-98. She was Foundation and Corporate Relations Manager for Maine
College of Art in 2003. As director of BAACA, Lloyd helped bring
together community groups, businesses, artists and performers, town
officials and arts supporters to build the community organization. She
holds a BA in English from Tufts University and a Master of Social Work
from University of Connecticut School of Social Work.

John Shaw, President of the Johnson Hall Board of Directors, said,
"We've worked long and hard to get to a point where we can hire a top-flight
administrator to help us move our organization forward. I think Judy has
been worth the wait and we have high hopes for her ability to work with
the community to help build an arts organization that is an integral
part of our economic development effort here in Gardiner."

Lloyd commented, "I am excited about the opportunity to work with this
dedicated board of directors and arts supporters in the Gardiner
community to make Johnson Hall a vibrant part of the downtown once
again. I'm especially pleased to be part of the effort to restore the
beautiful theater upstairs. We're grateful for the financial support of
the City of Gardiner and so many businesses and individual donors. As
we increase our programming and use of the space, I look forward to
welcoming community groups, arts presenters and people of all ages to
Johnson Hall."

Johnson Hall's web site is www.johnsonhall.org. Contact Johnson Hall at
582-7144 or at its new e-mail, johnsonhall@gwi.net.