ST. LOUIS, MO.- Glen Gentele, Director of Laumeier Sculpture Park, has been appointed President & CEO of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and will leave Laumeier at the end of December to assume his new post in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gentele succeeds Carolyn Hill who is retiring at year end.

As Director of Laumeier Sculpture Park since 2001, Gentele dramatically revived the artistic direction of the institution through exhibitions, the collection, and education and outreach initiatives. He organized many exhibitions with international artists including Robert Chambers; Mark di Suvero; Franco Mondini; Christina Shmigel; Sol LeWitt; John Henry; Soo Sunny Park; Tobias Putrih; Joseph Havel; Karyn Olivier; and Tony Tasset; among others.

“We are so fortunate that Glen was at the helm of Laumeier during a critical time in our institution’s evolution,” said Laumeier Board Chairman John Wuest. “I cannot think of a better person to have overseen the growth of this fine institution over the past seven years. Matched with his teaching gifts as the Aronson Endowed Professor for Modern and Contemporary Art at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, he has had a significant impact in the St. Louis community and we wish him much continued success.”

Gentele is credited with uniting staff members and the Board of Directors at Laumeier Sculpture Park around an updated institutional mission; successfully leading the museum through the museum reaccreditation process; establishing a long-term vision for the organization through the development of a strategic plan; strengthened corporate, foundation, and individual support; fostering relations with the academic community throughout the region; restoring seminal works in the permanent collection; growing the permanent collection through significant acquisitions; expanding public programs and educational opportunities; increasing visitation to over 300,000 annually; completing the construction of a new entry drive and accessible parking area for the museum; acquired an additional 7-acres of Park property; leading the on-going construction of a new pavilion in the Children’s Sculpture Garden; and launching other important initiatives for the organization.

“The past seven years at Laumeier Sculpture Park have been invaluable and rewarding,” Gentele said. “I am grateful to the museum, St. Louis County Parks, to the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and to the community for their support. I’m proud of the accomplishments we have made together during this fruitful and energetic period.” Gentele continued, “Laumeier Sculpture Park is a cultural treasure and it has been a privilege to be a part of this institution’s dynamic community. I look forward to Laumeier’s future success.”

The Laumeier Sculpture Park Board’s Executive Committee, headed by Chairman John Wuest will form a committee to conduct a search for Gentele’s successor.

A native New Yorker, Glen Gentele brings over 15 years of museum and education experience to his new job at the Oklahoma Museum of Art, having served in important positions at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, the International Sculpture Center in Washington, D.C, the Art Museum at Florida International University (Frost Art Museum) in Miami, and most recently Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis. In addition to his professional museum appointments, he has taught at Florida International University, the Ringling School of Art and Design, and is currently the Aronson Endowed Professor for Modern and Contemporary Art at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.