Debra Petke

Danforth Art Museum/School has announced that Debra Petke, former President and CEO of Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, has been appointed as its new Executive Director.

The press release issued by Danforth Art announcing the decision says Petke is eager to deepen connections with the Danforth Art community, as well as the wider MetroWest community, and to secure a bright future for the museum and art education center in its future home at the Jonathan Maynard Building on the historic Framingham Centre Common.

“I am honored to lead Danforth Art at this pivotal moment. This is an institution that began as a grassroots organization by dedicated citizens and for 40 years has provided those citizens, and the whole region, with countless exhibitions, art classes, and programs,” says Petke in the release. “With careful planning, our future move to the Jonathan Maynard building will allow Danforth Art to better showcase our exceptional Permanent Collection, to improve our facilities for our quality studio art classes and education programs offered in museum and school, and to provide better visitor amenities … All in one of Framingham’s most beautiful historic buildings! I am excited to work with the Board, staff, faculty, and volunteers to achieve this goal.”

Petke served as President and CEO of Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts for five years through 2012. Prior to that she spent 14 years at The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Conn., where she served as Executive Director after a significant time as Deputy Director and Chief Curator. While there, she instituted a changing exhibition program, oversaw the restoration of the 1874 Mark Twain House with Tiffany interiors, and created a number of nationally-recognized education programs. She was also instrumental in the planning, building, and operations of a new museum center.

Petke started her museum career at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT. An art historian specializing in American art, she has taught art history and museum studies at various colleges and universities.  She holds an MA in art history from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a BA in art history from Providence College.

Petke will start her position mid–June; she and her husband Raymond will relocate to the area.