DAYTON.- The Dayton Art Institute announced today the appointment of Will South as the museum’s chief curator. South has been Curator of Collections for the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 2000. Prior to that, he was a curator at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah.

“Will South brings scholarly distinction and substantial curatorial experience to the position of chief curator at The Dayton Art Institute. He is known for his ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and engagement with his community,” says Dayton Art Institute Director and CEO Janice Driesbach. “Will offers a broad understanding of art history with a specialization in American art, which is one of the strengths of the Museum’s outstanding collections. His background in growing collections, organizing exhibitions, writing catalogue essays, and overseeing museum storage projects will surely be of great benefit as The Dayton Art Institute moves forward.”

“A wonderful opportunity has been extended to me to join the team of professionals at The Dayton Art Institute. The building itself and its contents are all the evidence any visitor would need to see the long-term commitment to the arts that exists in Dayton, and I am excited to become a part of this tradition,” says Will South. “While I have enjoyed working for a fine university museum for years, the possibilities of working with a larger collection and a broader audience are likewise exciting. My wife and I look forward to settling in, rolling up our sleeves and serving the community.”

South has a Ph.D. in Art History from the City University of New York, an M.A. in Art History from the University of Utah, and a B.A. in Studio Art from Loyola Marymount University. He is the author of several books and exhibition catalogues including works on American Modernist Stanton Macdonald-Wright and American Impressionist James T. Harwood. He has organized exhibitions on such diverse topics as American Modernism, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Japanese prints.

South will begin his duties as Chief Curator on September 1 after relocating to the Dayton area with his wife, Sara Cogswell.