For Immediate Release 

MACK WATHEN JOINS DELAWARE STATE ARTS COUNCIL AS CHAIR

WILMINGTON – February 8, 2016 – The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) today announced that Gov. Jack A. Markell has appointed J. Mack Wathen of Hockessin, as Chair to the Delaware State Arts Council.

“I’m deeply honored to be following Lise Monty as Chair of the Delaware State Arts Council,” said J. Mack Wathen. “She made countless contributions to the arts in Delaware, having served as Chair since 2008 and as a Council Member since 2004.” Monty submitted her resignation to the Governor in January, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the arts in this capacity.

The Delaware State Arts Council is the advisory body to the Delaware Division of the Arts. The Council advises the Division of the Arts on matters of arts policy, funding for the arts, and other issues relevant to support for the arts in Delaware. The Council, according to its enabling legislation, “shall be composed of not more than 15 members” appointed by the Governor, who represent the state geographically and politically and are appointed on the basis of their interest and experience in the arts.

Mr. Wathen is active in the Delaware arts community serving on the Delaware State Arts Council from 2010-2015, and as a board member of the Arts Consortium of Delaware from 2011-2015, which manages the Arts Stabilization Fund supporting capital needs of the State’s eight largest arts organizations. Mr. Wathen also serves on the board as an officer of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation from 2014–present, an organization based in Baltimore which connects performing artists, arts presenters, and state arts agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic and the US Virgin Islands. Other roles in the arts community have included volunteer roles with the Delaware College of Art and Design in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn, Delaware.

In addition to his service to the arts, Mr. Wathen serves on the board of the Food Bank of Delaware, and has been a business leader in the utility industry for 39 years. He has a successful track record in leading groups responsible for strategic planning, finance, communications, public policy, and regulatory affairs. Mr. Wathen presently serves as Vice President, Support Services for Pepco Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Wathen holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from Georgetown College and a M.M. from the University of New Mexico.

Current Delaware State Arts Council Members:

Madeleine Bayard, Wilmington

Tina Betz, Wilmington

Donna Blakey, Newark

Lori Crawford, Dover

Robert Fitzgerald, Dewey Beach

Ralph Kuebler, Hockessin

Mary Ann C. Miller, Wilmington

Heather Morrissey, Newark

Jon W. Newsom, Lewes

Cheryle Pringle, Newark

Michael Quattrociocchi, Milford

Carol S. Rothschild, Wilmington

John Sarro, Wilmington

Catherine M. Walls, Milford

If you are interested in being considered for appointment to the Delaware State Arts Council, complete the Board and Commission Application, found on the Governor’s site, and return it to the Governor’s office. Be sure to indicate Board #0014: Delaware State Arts Council on the application.

The Delaware State Arts Council is the advisory body to the Delaware Division of the Arts. The Council advises the Division of the Arts on matters of arts policy, funding for the arts, and other issues relevant to support for the arts in Delaware. The Council, according to its enabling legislation, “shall be composed of not more than 15 members” appointed by the Governor, who represent the state geographically and politically and are appointed on the basis of their interest and experience in the arts.

Council members serve as advocates for the arts, promoting and encouraging participation in and appreciation of the arts throughout the state. Council members are citizens of Delaware and serve a renewable three-year term. A Chairperson of the Council is designated in addition to the members of the Council by the Governor and serves in that capacity at the pleasure of the Governor.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts

The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit artsdel.org or call 302-577-8278.

Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

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