Michele Ericksen (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival Board of Directors has named Michele Ericksen as the new Festival Executive Director.

The board said Ericksen’s background, combined with a deep passion for the arts, will help to advance the mission of Colorscape further.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michele as our new Executive Director,” said Laura Parker, Colorscape Board President. “She will bring experience and enthusiasm to this position. We feel fortunate to have found her and look forward to a successful festival season with her at the helm.”

Michele Ericksen grew up dancing in Elmira, NY. After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from SUNY College at Brockport, she headed to New York City where she worked as a dancer and arts administrator for over a decade. Ericksen held positions at the American Dance Festival, Gallim Dance, and Youth America Grand Prix among other non-profits specializing in fundraising and producing. She also worked as the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Associate Finance Director at Gibney Dance where she drove earned revenue streams after holding numerous roles within the organization from 2008-2017. Ericksen then migrated east to the Hamptons to join the team at Bay Street Theater as General Manager in 2017. She earned her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium in 2020 and also holds a certificate from Columbia University’s Developing Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals.

Ericksen said she is excited to be taking on the position as Executive Director of Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival and looks forward to being a part of this dynamic arts community.

Ericksen will manage all day-to-day operations for Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, known for its annual, free juried art and fine crafts festival that features music by national recording artists, literary arts, puppetry, creative culinary arts, and hands-on art experiences for all ages. She will also lead the organization’s fundraising programs, as well as marketing and community engagement initiatives. “Colorscape is a cultural staple in Norwich that draws people from near and far. I’m so excited to be coming on board leading into the organization’s 30th anniversary year and having the opportunity to be a part of its rich history” said Ericksen.

“We have every confidence that she will bring a firm commitment to excellence, the hallmark of our company,” says Peggy Finnegan, Visual Arts Coordinator. “Colorscape continues to move forward as a vibrant and important regional arts festival, and with our new Executive Director in place, the Festival can excel for the benefit of our entire community for years to come.” Ericksen succeeds Executive Director Celeste Friend, who assumed the role in 2017 after the departure of Donna Dvoracek.

Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival is recognized as one of the country's top 100 fine art and design shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine, Colorscape Chenango has celebrated premier artists in downtown Norwich since 1995.

This free, two-day festival in September features over 100 creators displaying and selling their paintings, sculptures, fabric art, fine crafts, photography, and more. Colorscape also offers nationally renowned musical performers, poetry and literary arts, food, and interactive art activities for all ages.

The 2024, 30th Anniversary Colorscape, will be held rain or shine on September 7-8 in East and West Parks in Norwich.

The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House.

– Information from Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival