Cybele Maylone takes over as the new executive director of UrbanGlass.
UrbanGlass, the not-for-profit center that fosters the innovative use of glass in creating art and advances the knowledge and appreciation of glass as a creative material (and also publishes GLASS Quarterly and the Hot Sheet), announced the appointment of Cybele Maylone as its new executive director effective today, May 6, 2013. Maylone, formerly the deputy director of Apexart in Manhattan, is coming as UrbanGlass begins the final stages of the renovation to its long-time home in Downtown Brooklyn. Maylone will lead UrbanGlass, which is both the largest and only artist-access glass blowing facility in the New York metropolitan area, as it reopens its full glass studio in early October 2013.
“Cybele will be joining us at this exciting moment in UrbanGlass’ transition,” said Carol Yorke, chair of the UrbanGlass board of directors in a prepared statement. “We are completing the UrbanGlass Renewal project, the renovation of our facility with a brand new studio for professional artists, designers and educators, including state-of-the-art energy efficient equipment and space for our programs, and, more importantly, street level storefront visibility for our gallery and retail space. It’s a real opportunity to reengage with the Brooklyn community as well as with all of our artists and students. The Board’s decision was unanimous and enthusiastic.”
Prior to being installed at UrbanGlass, the three furnaces, eleven glory
holes, eleven annealers and eight kilns were staged at fabricator Wet Dog Glass in preparation for shipping to Brooklyn, New York, where it will take two weeks to complete their installation.
“Cybele has energy and great enthusiasm, as well as the experience and track record for this role,” added Larry Pitterman, interim executive director of UrbanGlass since September 2012. “This is her moment: A recipient of the 2012 New York Foundation for the Arts Emerging Leader Award, she is the right person whose spark will continue to ignite UrbanGlass.”
Maylone’s responsibilities will include overall management of the education programs for students taking workshops as well as for-credit classes, the operation of the multiple glass making studios, fundraising and development, support of the Board of Directors and outreach to the many stakeholders and communities that UrbanGlass serves.
All of this comes as UrbanGlass is preparing to move back to 647 Fulton Street after the $33 million investment by the City of New York to renovate the Strand Theater in the Downtown Brooklyn Arts District. UrbanGlass will enjoy a totally new “hot shop,” new offices and work spaces, and a ground floor retail and gallery space: The Agnes Varis Arts Center. Architect and designer Jeffrey Beers, who sits on the board of UrbanGlass, has designed the store and gallery as a modern showroom for hands-on demonstrations, curated exhibitions, and to merchandise the art created at UrbanGlass that will be for sale.
“I am delighted to join UrbanGlass during this exciting time,” said Malone in a prepared statement. “As the cultural destination in New York City for those looking to work with, learn about, or see glass, UrbanGlass has a rich history of artistic innovation and community involvement. As the organization prepares to begin operations in a dramatically expanded facility, the opportunities that await artists, designers, students, visitors and the New York City cultural community are endless. I look forward to contributing to UrbanGlass’ continued success.”
Maylone has a BA in art history from Earlham College and a MA in arts administration from Columbia University. She has worked at several important museums and arts organizations, including the Museum of Natural History, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, ArtTable and, most recently, Apexart, where she oversaw the staging of several exhibitions of contemporary art every year, exercised financial management and was responsible for marketing and communications.
UrbanGlass is a not-for-profit 501©3 center that is the leading resource for both aspiring and established artists wishing to create with glass. It was the first artist-access glass center in the United States, when founded in 1977, and is now the largest. In addition to the artist-access studio, UrbanGlass offers a comprehensive education program of classes, workshops and intensives at every skill level in a wide variety of glassworking techniques, including glassblowing, hot casting, kiln casting, flame working, fusing, slumping, neon, mosaics, stained glass and coldworking.