The Mystic Museum of Art announced Wednesday that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed V. Susan Fisher of Taos, New Mexico, to be the museum’s next executive director.

Fisher will relocate from Taos, where she served for six years as executive director and curator of the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House. The Taos Art Museum houses a collection of works by the Taos Society of Artists (1915-1927) in the studio of Russian émigré and painter Nicholas Fechin. Under Fisher's leadership, the museum mounted exhibitions of the permanent collection, temporary and traveling exhibitions, and shows celebrating local and contemporary artists. She also developed new programming and strengthened both earned and contributed income for operations.

Fisher has an MFA in painting and worked for many years as an active artist in Philadelphia. She studied art history at the Sorbonne, museum studies at the Ecole du Louvre, and served as a correspondent for New Art Examiner for more than a decade, writing both art criticism and art reviews. She has served as a visiting lecturer and adjunct faculty at three universities: Temple University in Philadelphia, Rowan University in New Jersey, and the University of Delaware.

Fisher also brings development experience, including a year as director of development at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico; three years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as director of foundation and government relations, and seven years as director of Development for a Pennsylvania independent school.

David Madacsi, president of the board, said in a statement, “We are delighted to announce Susan’s appointment. We are impressed with Susan’s leadership experience and skill sets and how well they align with the goals of Mystic Museum of Art for its next chapter, and we were all charmed by her energy and enthusiasm for our mission, staff, and community.”

Mary Anne Stets, chairman of the board, said, “Mystic Museum of Art is at an important juncture in its 100-year history as it continues to transform from an artists’ association and art center into a regional art museum. Susan brings the right package of skills we need to move forward, and that includes fundraising experience, curatorial work with living artists, strategic planning, a track-record of working with a national board of directors, and a reputation for building community engagement. She will help us build our collections, programming, educational and public offerings, and museum profile.”

Fisher, who said she had wanted to return to the Northeast, will begin work on December 5 and said, "I am thrilled to be coming to Mystic Museum of Art and to this community."

Judy Flora, director of finances, has been serving as acting executive director after former director George King left.