Stonington — The La Grua Center in the borough has announced that it has elected Paul Leeming, an executive director of research with UBS, as the new president of its board of directors.

He replaces Peter Castle, who served five years as president.

According to the news release announcing his election, Leeming said the center, which presents art exhibits, musical performances, lectures and classes, “evokes the music and conversations of his childhood when his parents would entertain distinguished local artists and personalities such as poet James Merrill and photographer Rollie McKenna.”

“I find La Grua to be overflowing with the same local spirit of those memories. As we approach our 10th birthday, we have an opportunity to share that spirit with wider audiences, to welcome more diverse talent and to establish a place among our region’s great cultural institutions. It’s my privilege to lead the La Grua board through this promising period of development,” he said.

In addition, the center announced that an anonymous donor has agreed to match up to $10,000 the center’s donation box receipts for the remainder of the year. The center supports many of its events by using a “suggested donation” box for people attending programs.

“As we look to maintain high quality programming offered at a low cost, this challenge grant to increase what comes in through the donation box is one of several ways we can grow our revenues,” said Lori Robishaw, the center’s new executive director. "La Grua’s intimate space is unique in our region, and we hope to add new presentations of different kinds of performances and a greater number of compelling lectures on topics of interest to residents of southeastern Connecticut. We are so grateful to our anonymous donor for helping to lead the way.”