Norwich, CT - Norwich Arts Center held its annual meeting on Wednesday, January 22 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Norwich. During the meeting a vote was held for the 2020-2021 slate of officers. They are as follows: Kristen Nickerson, President; Faye Ringel, Vice President; Thomas Keaney, Treasurer and Patricia LaPierre, Secretary. Norwich Arts Center Appoints Officers
Kris Nickerson, a Senior Accounts Manager for the Hartford Business Journal in Hartford, is a Norwich resident and has been on the Norwich Arts Center Board of Directors since 2017. Professionally, Kris has worked in Advertising Sales and Marketing for nearly 20 years. She has also been actively involved with advertising, marketing and communications as the chair of NAC’s Publicity Committee since 2017.
Faye Ringel, retired Professor of English at the Coast Guard Academy, was a Founding President of Norwich Arts Center in 1987. A Norwich native, she recently chaired the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1969 at the Norwich Free Academy. At NAC she chairs the Program Planning Committee and produces, directs, and accompanies a wide range of theater and musical experiences.
Thom Keaney, received his formal education in Boston and received the far more important life experience training while serving for 30 years in the Submarine Force of the United States Navy. He first became active in Community Theater while stationed in Sidi Yihia, Morocco, North Africa. He joined the then Norwich Arts Council in 1994 as a cast member in the production of “The King and I” as a royal slave with a five word speaking line. He has since been involved with every NAC production as a cast member or with lighting, sound, set design and construction, props and most aspects of the theater. He has been a strong supporter of NAC and has served as Secretary, Treasurer, President and Vice President. He was an integral part of creating NAC’s First Friday Jazz Series and The NACKids Program.
Patricia LaPierre has been with the Board of Directors for the Norwich Arts Center since 2016. Pat is on the Tribal Council as the Corresponding Secretary for the Mohegan Tribe. Previously she worked at Mohegan Sun for the last 17 years in various capacities in HR, most recently as the Vice President of Human Resources.
The Norwich Arts Center’s complete Board of Directors includes immediate past President Karen Staples, Artists Co-Op President Susan Scott Kenney, Roberta Vincent, MaryKay Kelleher, Susan Masse and Peter Leibert (Emeritus). Advisors to the Board are Gerald Lachance and Michael Jewell.
The Norwich Arts Center, a 501c3, was formed in 1987 to cultivate the region's appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the arts by providing affordable cultural enrichment through diverse visual, literary and performing arts programs and events. NAC’s footprint in the Chelsea Arts District continues to play a key role in the revitalization of downtown Norwich. A vital part of the downtown First Friday scene, with a monthly gallery opening reception and a season of live concerts reflecting diverse music genres and a full schedule of plays and events, Norwich Arts Center proves to be a boon to Norwich as one of the city’s unique cultural attractions.
