Gallery Welcomes New Acting Coordinator to Team

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is proud to announce the addition of its new Acting Coordinator, Programs and Exhibitions, Jim Merrithew.  Jim will be taking up the position for Jamie-Lee Cormier, who begins her one year maternity leave at the end of November.

Executive Director, Jeff Erbach, is eager to get Jim plugged in and up to speed. “Jim has an extensive and diverse background, rooted in community development practices.  He’s so well rounded and such a pleasant person that we feel really lucky to welcome him to the team”.

Jim’s work will be to continue the momentum developed by Jamie-Lee.  Along with the Programs and Exhibitions Assistant, Jim will be overseeing the visitor experience, working with Curators in developing and implementing public programs, which includes Gallery tours, workshops and camps, and will lead exhibition and program promotion.

Jim says, “I am pleased to be joining the talented team at the Art Gallery. During the time I have lived in the Peace Region, I’ve visited the Gallery numerous times to view the exhibitions. The opportunity to contribute to the Gallery’s programs and goals is quite exciting.”

Jim is the former Supervisor of Tourism in Grande Cache and worked at their Tourism and Interpretive Centre where he oversaw budgeting, inventory control, staffing, grant writing and the visitor experience.  He has an extensive background in retail sales and both residential and commercial construction and maintenance, most recently as a worker with Alberta Parks.  He has a long artistic practice in photography and has been a community volunteer for sports and heritage related festivals, events and activities.