May 18, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:

Eleanor Feeley, Interim Director

(814) 472-3920

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

Loretto – The Board of Trustees of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art is pleased to announce that Eleanor (Noel) Feeley of Hollidaysburg has been hired to serve as the Museum’s Interim Director. Feeley begins her appointment on Monday, May 21.

"Noel Feeley will be a tremendous asset for the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art," said Shirley D. Lingenfelter, President of SAMA’s Board of Trustees. "She is well-respected throughout our communities and brings a wealth of experience in the arts field, including formerly serving as Assistant Director of SAMA. She has an intimate knowledge of our region and the Museum, and her enthusiasm and dedication will be an added bonus as we enter one of the busiest times of the year for SAMA. We are extremely pleased to have her on board as we continue our search for an Executive Director."

Feeley is the Theatre and Gallery Manager at Penn State Altoona, where she oversees the administration and programming for a 400-seat theatre, two small gallery spaces, and conference space. She serves on the Board of the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance, the Altoona Community Theatre, and the planning council for Zion Lutheran Church in Hollidaysburg. In the past, Feeley has worked as a lighting designer, a grants program specialist for the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Program, and Managing Director at Allegheny Highlands Regional Theatre. From 1995 to 2001, she was Assistant Director/Museum Arts Administrator for SAMA.

"I am delighted to again be working with the Board and staff at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art," said Feeley. "I have a deep respect and affection for the place of honor the Museum holds in our communities’ cultural landscape and the rich tradition in the arts. With the support of the leadership at Penn State Altoona, I am excited to offer my services as an interim administrator to the Museum and look forward to facilitating the day-to-day operations of the Museum and its exciting exhibition schedule.

"While things slow down a bit at the college, I am looking forward to working with an amazing group of regional volunteers who are working on a variety of events at SAMA, including the Garden Party on June 2 at Ligonier, A Starry Night in Paris Gala on July 21 at Loretto, and the Blue Monday music series at SAMA-Altoona. It should be a busy and fun season in the arts across the Alleghenies."

For more than 30 years, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art has collected and exhibited 19^th and 20^th century American art to the rural communities of Southwestern and Central Pennsylvania. Established by Sean M. Sullivan, T.O.R., the Museum first opened its doors in June of 1976 with 47 paintings, sculptures and drawings and a collection of 20 etchings by John Sloan. Since that time, the Museum’s permanent collection has grown to number more than 3,000 works of art.

The Museum’s laurels do not rest with its permanent collection, however. Over the past 31 years, the Museum has expanded to include four facilities in Altoona, Johnstown, Ligonier and Loretto. SAMA has curated important and ground-breaking exhibitions, initiated the development of art acquisition and operating endowments, and implemented award-winning education programs that currently serve more than 70 schools throughout Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. The Museum also recently instituted the Museum/Health Care Partnership Program, through which trained, professional artists and museum educators work directly with therapists and patients to create meaningful works of art that act as a way to alleviate pain and discomfort brought on by health issues. For more information about the Museum or its programs, please call the Loretto Museum at (814) 472-3920 or visit www.sama-art.org.