Charlotte Potter Kasic, who returned to Norfolk, Virginia, in January 2020 to become the manager of museum education and engagement at the Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University, has been named as the museum's interim director as the founding director Jutta-Annette Page is set to retire in October 2020. Kasic is credited with the museum's fluid transition to virtual exhibitions and activities when the pandemic hit, and the institution is now open with limited hours.
"Charlotte harnessed her existing contacts in the Tidewater region with remarkable energy and follow-through," reports outgoing director Page in a prepared statement. "In a short amount of time, she reconnected and created new contacts, especially in the ODU learning community, with creative ideas and clear educational goals for BAM collaborative programming."
Until 2017, Kasic had established herself in the region as the programming director at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio, which culminated in her serving as co-chair of the 2017 Glass Art Society conference in Norfolk, Virginia. She spent the following years in Vermont where, in addition to raising a family, she served as executive director at Yestermorrow Design/Build School.
In an email exchange with the Glass Quarterly Hot Sheet, Kasic talked about her goal of developing new program that connects various communities. “This diverse community is home to a rising enclave of art enthusiasts and devoted makers," she writes in her email. "Our affiliation with ODU is a fabulous resource, with exciting interdisciplinary opportunities. The Education and Engagement role has been focused on developing new programs that engage, catalyze, and foster relevant conversations- connecting disparate contingencies. Moving forward as the Interim Director I am building on these initiatives and hope that the glass community will take advantage of our free fall virtual programming. I am truly looking forward to working with the remarkable team that Dr. Jutta-Annette Page has assembled, the Barry Art Museum is well poised thanks to Dr. Page’s leadership and I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the next stage of its evolution.”
Richard Barry, the patron for whom the museum is named and its board president, said: "The Barry Art Museum is fortunate to have Charlotte Potter Kasic ready to step in as interim director. We value her local knowledge and art management experience. She will continue the Museum on its course of service to the University community and the region. Charlotte is very adept at creating programs that engage the public."
Kasic holds a BFA from Alfred University and an MFA from RISD. The Barry Art Museum is part of Old Dominion University, which is based in Norfolk, Virginia, and has an enrollment of over 24,000 students.