The Artisans Center of Virginia has undertaken another round of budget cuts that has resulted in the effective gutting of its staff.
The Center closed its retail gallery in Waynesboro and let go the gallery’s staff on Feb. 21. All remaining staff, including long-time executive director Michael Dowell, were let go on Feb. 28.
A member of the Center’s board of directors confirmed the moves in an e-mail exchange with me today.
The board appointed former Artisans Center director of development Sherri Smith to serve part-time as the executive director of the Center effective March 1, the board member confirmed in the e-mail.
Smith’s salary and hours will be determined by upcoming negotiations with Artisans Center funders, the board member indicated in the e-mail.
– Story by Chris Graham