Sweetwater Center for the Arts executive director resigns

The executive director of the Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley has stepped down.

Tommy Walters, who has lead the 45-year-old nonprofit arts center for the past 3 1/2 years, said he is leaving for personal reasons.

“The decision was mine to step down, and it was not an easy one to make,” he said in an Aug. 17 letter to Sweetwater’s staff and artists. “It has truly been my pleasure having the opportunity to work with, meet and get to know all of you.”

The resignation was effective immediately.

Walters said while he is proud of the work the art center has been able to do under his leadership, “it felt like the right time for me to move on.”

Health concerns also were part of Walters’ decision to resign.

“More personally, I have my own health issues to be concerned about, so I need some time to focus on that,” he said.

Walters noted that even with the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Sweetwater was able to operate a modified summer art session for students as well as an outdoor summer jazz series with a capacity limit to allow for social distancing.

“We created a campaign around the slogan ‘Art Is Not Canceled’ to remind people that even though this has been an extremely difficult year for Sweetwater because of the pandemic, we are still here for the Sewickley community,” he said.

Planning is underway for fall art programs that will use a mix of in-person and online instruction.

Barb Pontello, chair of Sweetwater’s board of directors, said the challenges caused by the pandemic and the loss of its executive director presents an “opportunity to step back and reassess where we have been, where we are and where we want to be.

“We’ll be tapping the board (of directors) before making any decisions about filling positions,” she said.

Pontello said despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, Sweetwater’s staff remains focused on finding ways to engage with the community.

“They’re just bound, determined and dedicated to having some great sessions this fall,” she said, noting the center is proceeding with the 24th annual Manuvo Festival of African American Arts and Culture and is planning a walking tour of local underground railroad stops.