Swain new interim director of ACO

Swain
Swain

Jenni Taylor Swain confirmed this morning she will begin work Tuesday as interim executive and artistic director at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale.

Swain left the Walton Arts Center in June after 25 years in education and programming. She has formed her own presenting organization, Potluck Arts, which is debuting this week with Circus Sites, bringing contemporary circus performers from Australia, Switzerland and Mexico to alternative performance spaces in Springdale.

In April, Tareneh Manning, president of the ACO Board of Directors, announced the retirement of Harry and Kathi Blundell, theater director and administrative director of the arts center for more than 40 years. In May, Manning said an operating deficit played a role in the decision to restructure the arts center, which has been home to community theater, classes and visual arts displays for 50 years.

Manning also said in May the board would be looking at a new mission and vision for the arts center. She said the center would first hold a public forum, which has not yet taken place.

The ACO has not announced a season, which has traditionally begun with a summer musical in July. Two upcoming performances are currently on the arts center's Facebook page: NWA Audio Theater's "The Canterville Ghost" on Oct. 14-15 and "Barefoot in the Park" on Nov. 11-12 and Nov. 18-19.

Swain will discuss her role in the ACO in a story in Friday's What's Up!

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