WESTERLY, RI.- The Westerly Museum of American Impressionism (WMAI) has announced the appointment of Catherine Shotick as the museum’s inaugural director. An exciting addition to the New England museum landscape, WMAI is currently being constructed in the seaside town of Westerly, Rhode Island with an anticipated opening in the fall of 2024. Established in 2022 by philanthropists and art collectors Thomas P. and Cynthia D. Sculco, the new art museum will be dedicated to the research and exhibition of American Impressionism. Its core permanent collection will be comprised of over 150 extraordinary examples of such works from the 1880s to 1920 that the Sculcos have collected for forty years, many of them paintings by New England and East Coast artists.

The appointment of Catherine Shotick as director of the museum comes after a nation-wide search. Shotick brings to WMAI more than 12 years of experience in all aspects of museum operations, including collections management, exhibition creation, programming, publications, and community partnerships, both at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA), where she was a curator with a focus on American Art, and at the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, a historic house museum in downtown Chicago, IL, where she was the head of the curatorial department. Shotick began her tenure with the Westerly Museum of American Impressionism on May 1, 2023. “We believe Catherine’s extraordinary curatorial experience and proven dedication to the museum profession, along with her intelligence and warm personality, will be crucial in bringing life into the museum, and we are delighted to have her on board,” said Tom Sculco. “She is a wonderful addition to our region's distinguished group of museum directors and professionals."

With the full support of the Sculcos and initial funding provided by their foundation, Shotick will be able to design the research agenda, future collecting priorities, and exhibition calendar for the museum. “I am humbled and elated that Tom and Cynthia have bestowed their trust upon me to help make their vision for the museum a reality,” exclaimed Shotick. “To have this opportunity to help create a museum from the ground up is a dream come true. I look forward to growing the collection, curating the gallery spaces, and partnering with other institutions to bring unique programming and events to the Westerly community.”

Located on Watch Hill Road in the seaside town of Westerly, Rhode Island, the Westerly Museum of American Impressionism’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and display American Impressionist art and to enrich lives through related programming and educational activities. The Museum is currently being constructed, with a planned opening in the fall of 2024. Museum website, public hours, and visitor information to be announced.