SAN DIEGO, CA.- The Board of Directors of SUSHI, A Center For the Urban Arts, announces its new Executive Director, Patrick Stewart.

Stewart will be rejoining the San Diego arts community in January after finishing his tenure as the executive director of the Atlas Performing Arts Center, a multi-faceted center whose development, program, performance, and education accomplishments have served as the leading catalytic factor in the dramatic economic and social redevelopment of a major section of Washington, DC’s Northeast quadrant.

Stewart brings with him extensive regional management and production experience in San Diego, Seattle, and Washington, DC, including work with many of San Diego's arts organizations, The Source Theatre and the National Summer Theatre Festival in Washington, and the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, as well as positions in television on such shows as NBC’s Will & Grace and Good Morning Miami.

“We are thrilled to get Patrick back into the San Diego arts community. His talents are a great match for SUSHI, and he’s incredibly likable and full of energy. The Board is truly looking forward to his fresh and imaginative direction; he’s going to help us become a creative and financial dynamo,” said Board President Stephen Silverman.

“I’m excited to join SUSHI in its new downtown space and strengthen its role as a vital center for the urban arts,” Stewart said. “The board, staff and community of artists are committed to its success, and to be part of such a dedicated team gives me a great sense of pride.”

Although Stewart will not return full time to San Diego until January, he will be meeting with the Board of Directors monthly between September and December 2009 to aid in management and planning for the fall 2009 and 2010 seasons. His focus will be primarily on fund development, programming, and community outreach.

In addition to his institutional leadership roles, Stewart extends organization, management and curriculum development assistance to performing arts organizations. He currently serves as a management consulting mentor to arts organizations via the Kennedy Center’s Office of the President, and lends expertise as a board or committee member to several organizations, most notably as an advisory committee member to the Capital Fringe Festival and service on the Board of Directors of the Takoma Park Arts and Humanities Council.

An integral part of the West Coast cultural landscape, SUSHI earns national acclaim for the San Diego arts community and for almost 30 years has provided a forum for artists to reflect the rich diversity of our multifaceted ethnic, cultural, sexual, and personal backgrounds. Sushi’s office and performance space is located at 390 Eleventh Ave. at J St. in downtown San Diego.