Changes coming to Monroe Walton Center for the Arts in the new year

Heather Howard to take reins as MWCA director; Hope Reese to semi retire

At the 2025 Monroe Center for the Arts Annual Members Meeting recently, some changes to the Board and the staffing at center have been announced. Most notable was the stepping aside of Hope Reese as director as she takes a lesser role in an attempt at semi-retirement.

Beginning Jan. 2026, the role of director will be be filled by Heather Howard who will oversee daily operations. Reese will be shifting into a part-time role focusing on marketing, promotions, and storytelling. She also has been elected as president of MWCA.

Hope Reese – file photo

There will be no change to the budget as the duties as well as the salary will be shared equally between Howard and Reese.

Other members of the executive board are Amy Weems as vice president, Nancy Moate as treasure and Paula Davis as secretary.

Reese released the following statement on the staffing changes:

After eight years as Director, I’m stepping into a new season — “semi-retiring” from daily operations but still deeply involved and still serving on the Board. This transition simply allows me to continue supporting MWCA in a way that’s more sustainable for this stage of life.

Since 2017, it has been one of the greatest joys and callings of my life to help grow this center alongside the most passionate volunteers, teachers, artists, staff, board members, and partners anyone could dream of.

Together we have:
✨ grown from a quiet gallery to a vibrant community arts hub
✨ expanded from a few classes to 60–100 classes each month
✨ supported and showcased hundreds of local artists
✨ launched programs like ArtReach, Healing Arts, Art MD Kits, Beyond the Gallery, Monroe Makers, and Literary Arts
✨ rebuilt a welcoming gift shop of 80+ local makers
✨ created beloved events for all ages
✨ welcomed thousands of visitors every year
✨ and moved from near financial insolvency to truly solid footing, strong enough to win competitive grants that help us serve even more people

Most importantly, we’ve built a place where people of all ages and abilities feel seen, supported, and inspired. That is the work I’m proudest of.

Thank you — each of you — for walking alongside me, encouraging me, showing up, shopping, volunteering, creating, believing. Shelby and I have been blessed beyond measure by this community.

Here’s to new chapters, continued creativity, and the joy of serving a place I love — just in a fresh new way.