Jessie Raynor, director of the Akron Area Arts Alliance (AAAA), will retire by June 30.
“I have accomplished what I wanted to accomplish with AAAA, and I’m very proud of its growth and accomplishments,” said Raynor, who has been director for 12 years.
“The organization is in such a strong place right now that I don’t feel I am leaving anyone in the lurch.
“It’s just the right time for me. I have other things I want to do, and I’m going to do them. I’ve raised three great, successful kids, helped to raise the Arts Alliance and the arts community, and now I’m taking some time for me while I can.”
AAAA just celebrated its 20th anniversary. The organization was established in 1991 by 12 organizations to encourage cooperation and understanding among the area’s arts and culture groups. Raynor, 62, became director in September 1999 when the nonprofit advocacy group opened its first office.
Today the alliance includes 160 people representing 48 organizations, artists and arts supporters. Its offices are in Summit Artspace, a project of AAAA in partnership with Summit County government at 140 E. Market St. that was the original home of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Summit Artspace includes two galleries, six artist studios, classrooms, performance and event space, and the Creative Business Center for emerging arts businesses.
“Construction for the second floor is complete, thanks to the Knight grant,” she said, referring to the restoration of the original offices of Charles L. Knight, then publisher of the Beacon Journal, and his son John S. Knight. It is now conference space.
“Jessie Raynor has done an incredible job, and we will miss her excellent leadership,” AAAA President Margo Snider said in a news release. “She has worked tirelessly and effectively to help AAAA promote the value of a strong, diverse and vibrant arts and culture community to the economic well-being and quality of life in our area.”
Raynor, who lives in Silver Lake, said she will continue to do public relations and market relations for Don Drumm Studios and Gallery and serve on the Summit County Arts. She hopes to remain on the Summa Healing Arts Advisory Board.
“I have daughters on both coasts that I never visit, and I want to do that. I’ve never traveled, and I want to do that while I’m still young enough to enjoy it,” Raynor said.
A national search will be conducted for her successor, Snider said.
Dorothy Shinn writes about art and architecture for the Akron Beacon Journal. Send information to her at the Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640 or dtgshinn@neo.rr.com.