OLD LYME: The Lyme Art Association is the oldest of what has evolved into a vibrant collection of art and culture institutions in the heart of Old Lyme. It is flourishing in a way that is perhaps only rivaled by its early years when the renowned Lyme Art Colony artists formed the Association back in 1914.
It is from this firm base that the Association is undergoing a change in leadership.
After 12 extremely successful years at the LAA, Laurie Pavlos is planning to retire June 30 from her position as Executive Director. She joined the staff in 2010 as business manager and later became part of the Executive Team, which led the Association from 2014. That team also comprised Gallery Manager Jocelyn Zallinger and Development Director Gary Parrington.
Pavlos was appointed Executive Director in 2018 and from that time through the present has been a consistent and enthusiastic supporter of LAA’s mission and values. She has guided the organization through significant growth, construction, and the both unexpected and challenging disruption of the pandemic.
As of July 1, Elsbeth Dowd will succeed Pavlos as Executive Director.
For the past two years, Dowd has been the LAA’s Development Director. Pavlos comments, “Upon joining the Association staff in early 2019, she [Dowd] wasted no time in enhancing our communications, starting with social media.”
Pavlos adds, “Elsbeth worked with me to help our broader community become more familiar with our organization and mission. She continues to build relationships with community partners, sponsors, members, and donors.”
Prior to joining the Lyme Art Association, Dowd was the Executive Director of the Oysterponds Historical Society in Orient, N.Y., and before that was Museum Registrar at the Sam Noble Museum in Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in art and archaeology from Princeton University and her Doctoral Degree in anthropology from the University of Oklahoma.
A number of other appointments have also been announced at the LAA. Paul Michael, a graduate of Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, has taken over the role of Gallery Manager from Jocelyn Zallinger, who has also retired. Jolie Collins is the Association’s new Communications Manager, and Sarah Kentoffio and Franceska Nebel are assisting in the gallery and staff office respectively.