Charlotte Potter Kasic has been named executive director of Old Dominion University's Barry Art Museum. Founded in 2018, the Museum features contemporary glass sculpture, modern American paintings, historic dolls and automata, and a schedule of rotating exhibitions and programs.
"I am delighted that Charlotte will be assuming the role of executive director," said Robert Wojtowicz, ex-officio board member, chair of the search committee, vice provost and dean of ODU's Graduate School. "As interim executive director for the past 14 months, she cultivated a bold and wide-ranging vision for the Museum as a true campus and community centerpiece."
Previously, Kasic served as the founding programming director of the Chrysler Museum of Art's Perry Glass Studio and as the executive director of the Yestermorrow Design/Build School in her native Vermont. She conceptualized and helped implement the NEON Arts District and served as co-chair of the 2017 international Glass Art Society Conference in downtown Norfolk.
Kasic joined the Barry Art Museum in January 2020 as the manager of museum education and engagement. She became interim director following the retirement of Jutta Page, the founding executive director.
Under Kasic's direction, the Museum has mounted six exhibitions with topics ranging from augmented reality to internationally renowned contemporary sculpture. In an effort to offer accessible and community-informed programs and exhibitions, she restructured how exhibitions are curated at the museum, establishing an advisory board of global partners, subject-matter experts and community stakeholders for each exhibition. This board collaboratively informs each exhibition's content, interpretation and programs alongside the Museum's staff.
Kasic conceived of and organized October's "Museum of the Moon" exhibition by artist Luke Jerram and its accompanying street festival that welcomed approximately 13,000 people to experience the Museum on the ODU campus and showcased relationships with more than 46 community partners, including NASA, the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
"The Museum board is very pleased that Charlotte Kasic has been appointed as our permanent executive director," said Richard Barry, who along with his wife Carolyn, founded the Museum. "We admire her passion to make art more accessible to the public through exhibitions, festivals, lectures, happenings and performances. We value her knowledge and management experience and look forward to her leadership as the Museum and its programs grow."
Kasic received her MFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 2010 and her BFA from Alfred University in 2003. As an artist and designer, Kasic has been a pioneer in the field of glass and the development of the material as a performative and conceptual medium. Her work has been exhibited internationally at galleries, museums and universities and is in numerous private collections. She is an avid educator and has taught glass, performance and new media courses nationwide.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this institution as we develop interdisciplinary exhibitions and programs that highlight the remarkable talent and research in our region and beyond," Kasic said.
