Lubeznik Center for the Arts Announces 2016 Board President

Lubeznik-Center-for-the-Arts-Announces-2016-Board-PresidentLubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA), a non-profit whose mission is to enrich the arts experience within the region, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Bridge as the new President of LCA's Board of Directors. Bridge was appointed to the Board in 2011 and serves as the chair of the Marketing Committee as well as being a member of the Curatorial Committee. "I am thrilled to welcome Nick to the role of Board President. He has a wealth of experience on non-profit boards and has a professional background in marketing in addition to being an amazing artist! It is going to be a year of dynamism for the LCA and Nick is well-suited to lead us at this point in our history. I look forward to working with him more closely." said Executive Director, Erika Hanner. Outside of serving LCA, Bridge currently is the chairman of the Environment and Energy Commission for the village of Oak Park, IL. And is a member of the Steering Committee of PlanItGreen, a local environmental initiative for the villages of Oak Park and River Forest. He was formerly a commissioner of the Park District of Oak Park and has also served for seven years on the board of the Community Chest/United Way for Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park (serving two years as treasurer). Bridge was also chairmen of the Public Arts Commission of Oak Park.

Beyond Bridge's work with non-profits he is an award-winning painter whose focus is primarily on urban landscapes. His work has appeared in several television shows. Most recently in "Chicago PD," "Chicago Fire," and "Sirens." Bridge had a career in communications working as a news reporter for the City News Bureau of Chicago, the Suburban Trib and the Glen Ellyn News, where he was an editor. He also worked as a public information officer for the Illinois Department of Conservation. Prior to that he was a senior account executive for Aaron Cushman and Associates public relations firm in Chicago. He is a graduate of of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in communications and has studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.

"I am very proud of the role LCA is playing in the revitalization of the downtown and harbor area in Michigan City. This is an exciting development and an opportunity for the LCA to further enrich the life of the town through the arts." said Bridge.

Bridge was appointed as president on Dec. 1, 2015. Other new officer appointments for 2016 include: Suzanne Cohan-Lange as Vice-President; Rodney D. Lubeznik as Treasure; Sue Bridge as Secretary; and John Leinweber as Member-At-Large. Newly appointed Board members include, Georgia Fogelson of LaPorte, Chicago, and Palm Springs and Clarence Wood of LaPorte.

The outgoing president, Rachel Saxon, will continue on the board in 2016. "LCA thanks Rachel for her tireless service during a transitional period. She led the organization through a change-over in staff leadership with grace and aplomb." states Executive Director, Erika Hanner.

The LCA Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that the mission of the organization is maintained. Other responsibilities also include monitoring the organization's budget, policies, and programs.

LCA is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to creatively interweave art exhibitions, the performing arts, educational programming and collaborative community outreach in order to enrich the arts experience within the region. The center has five gallery spaces that change quarterly which showcase regional and national artists. Learn more about upcoming exhibitions, classes, events, and membership benefits by visiting LCA's website at http://www.lubeznikcenter.org.

Lubeznik Center for the Arts is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Weekday hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST). Weekend hours are from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CST). Thursdays: 10 - 7* (Memorial Day - Labor Day) *Hyndman Gallery opens at 2 pm. For more information please visit lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900.

The LCA is funded, in part, by South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency.