LEBANON — As of November, AVA Gallery and Art Center is seeking a new executive director following the retirement of Shari Boraz, who served in the position since 2021.

A Hanover resident, Boraz will be remaining in the area. 

“I’m looking forward to doing my own art,” she said in a recent phone interview. 

The longtime artist currently has three textile pieces on display at AVA’s Bank Street members gallery.

AVA hired Boraz while the nonprofit was in the midst of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she considers bolstering AVA’s staff after the pandemic to be chief among her contributions as director, though she declined to enumerate. 

Boraz also spearheaded infrastructure improvements, such as the floors of AVA’s main building, the former H.W. Carter and Sons clothing factory at 11 Bank St., which are currently undergoing renovations, Jeremy Greeley, AVA’s board chair, said in an interview.

“Scaffolding,” a group exhibition designed to work around the restorations, is set to open next Friday, Jan. 17 and stay up through March 1. The show will include works from 28 artists based in New England and farther afield, as well as workshops hosted by interdisciplinary artist Élan Cadiz and ceramicist Dasha Kalisz.

Boraz is the third full-time executive director to follow Bente Torjusen, whose 30-year tenure ended in 2016.

Torjusen was instrumental in facilitating AVA’s move from the second floor of Allen Street in Hanover to its current location in Lebanon.

She also oversaw an extensive renovation project that earned what is now known as the Carter-Kelsey Building a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008.

In 2017, AVA unveiled the 4,000-square-foot Bente Torjusen West Sculptural Studies Building at 9 Bank St., named in her honor.

She was succeeded by Trip Anderson, who served as executive director until his departure in early 2019.

Heidi Reynolds took up the position later that year until her resignation in June, 2021. 

Since Dec. 7, Bradford, N.H., resident Andrew Pinard has been filling in as interim director. In addition to founding Hatbox Theatre in Concord, Pinard also served as executive artistic director of the Claremont Opera House from 2020 to 2023, credentials that make him well equipped for “keeping the train running on the tracks,” Greeley said.

While Pinard is “thoroughly enjoying working with the board, staff, and volunteers” at AVA, he does not plan on applying for the permanent position.

Boraz described her role at AVA as “the perfect amalgamation” of her passions. The Chicago native holds a BA in art education and textile design and a masters in nonprofit management. 

At this time, a search committee is still processing the first round of applications, and it is “still too early to tell” when a new executive director will be appointed, Greeley said. 

Marion Umpleby can be reached at mumpleby@vnews.com or 603 277 7306