Galveston Arts Center names interim executive director

Kellianne Vallee has been named interim executive director of the Galveston Arts Center.

According to a center release, appointed by the center's board of directors, Vallee will lead the organization's effort to return to the historic 1878 First National Bank Building, while continuing to provide community art instruction and exhibitions by Texas artists.

Vallee, an Emmy award-winning Galveston resident, has more than 25 years of experience collaborating with nonprofits and businesses in the art world.

"She has enjoyed a distinguished career managing major educational outreach projects, driving revenue growth, writing winning contracts, and performing program evaluations for clients throughout the world," Keith Bassett, board president, said in the release. "She will be a strong addition to our team."

Vallee replaces Alexandra Irvine, who resigned in September.

Vallee is a former principal consultant at Vallee and Company, where she designed, launched and evaluated programs for at-risk populations in the public and private sectors.

"I'm thrilled to join the Galveston Arts Center," she said in the release. "I am proud to be part of this community, and the GAC is a vital piece of what makes Galveston unique."

Vallee earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Syracuse University and is currently studying for a master's in humane education at Valparaiso University.

A resident of Galveston's West End, she volunteers with Artist Boat and Habitat for Horses.

The Galveston Arts Center, incorporated in 1986, is an independent nonprofit organization that exhibits temporary art on the corner of Market and 25th streets. The gallery is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the release.

Admission is free.

Funding for the center comes from the Houston Endowment Inc., Brown Foundation Inc., City of Galveston Park Board of Trustees through the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund, the Meyer Levy Charitable Foundation of the Dallas Foundation, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, and the Jack and Annis Bowen Foundation, according to the release.

The center's Art for All Education Program is supported in part by the Alice Taylor Gray Foundation, Galveston Rotary Foundation Inc. and VSS, according to the release.

For information about the GAC's ArtWalk, such as participants, times and locations, visit www.contemporaryartgalveston.org.