ENOSBURG, VT.- Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, an immersive non-profit art park in northern Vermont, announces the appointment of Robin Schatell as its new Executive Director. With more than 30 years of leadership in arts programming, organizational development, and public engagement, Schatell brings a wealth of expertise that will guide the Park's next chapter of growth.
Since opening to the public in 2014, Cold Hollow Sculpture Park has welcomed thousands of visitors and offered free programming that celebrates the intersection of art, nature, and community. Schatell's appointment marks a pivotal moment as the Park continues to build on more than a decade of success as a beloved destination for art lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.
I am thrilled to join Cold Hollow Sculpture Park as Executive Director and to spearhead initiatives that increase awareness, engagement, and the Parks national reputation while continuing to support the legacy of artist David Stromeyer, said Schatell. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park is more than an art destinationit is a welcoming green space where people come together to connect through the shared experience of public art, creativity, and direct engagement with nature. The Park provides a supportive environment for artists to create and for audiences to explore, reflect, and connect deeply with art and the landscape.
Schatell's career has been defined by innovative cultural programming and mission-driven leadership. In 2020, in response to the shutdown of performing arts venues during COVID-19, she founded Mov!ng Culture Projects, a consultancy supporting organizations in activating public spaces with arts and cultural programming. Through this work, she partnered with leading institutions including New York Citys City Parks Foundation, The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at The Graduate Center CUNY, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Socrates Sculpture Park, and Department of Transportation's Public Realm Program. During the height of the pandemic, she produced more than 100 arts events across all five New York City boroughshelping restore connection and vibrancy during a period of profound isolation.
Her prior leadership roles include Director of Public Programs & Community Engagement at Van Alen Institute and Madison Square Park Conservancy; Executive Producer for the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene; Executive Director for the River To River Festival; and Director of Programming for Riverside Park at NYC Parks and Recreation where she developed and launched Summer on the Hudson, a large-scale cultural arts and cultural festival that continues to thrive 20 years later, drawing more than 100,000 annual visitors and strengthening community cohesion and park visibility.
Launching the Park's First Artist Commission in 2026
Schatell's first major initiative at Cold Hollow Sculpture Park will be leading the Park's 2026 season, which opens on June 6, 2026. The season will feature the launch of "Amongst the Sculptures," the Park's public programming series, which will premiere with a landmark endeavor: the Park's first-ever artist commission, a site-specific musical work by composer Phil Acimovic. Titled "Tuning, Timing, and Resonance," the composition is inspired by the Park's distinctive landscape and acoustics and will be performed by Acimovic, and four other musicians, on August 15, followed by a community party celebrating this milestone commission. Additional programming planned for the season includes the continuation of the Park's Artist in Residence program and nature-based wellness offerings.
The Park represents sculptor David Stromeyer's 50+ years of creative work on the land in Enosburg. Stromeyer and his wife Sarah opened the space to the public in 2014, transforming a personal artistic practice into a civic space for gathering, discovery, and shared experience.
We feel most fortunate to now have Robins depth and breadth of experience, her bold vision, and vigorous enthusiasm guiding the Parks future, said Sarah Stromeyer, chair of the Parks board of directors.