Lyla Brown leaving the Grand Marais Art Colony

Lyla Brown

The Grand Marais Art Colony and its Board of Directors announced this week that the Executive Director, Lyla Brown, was leaving the Art Colony. Ruth Pszwaro, who is entering her tenth year, served as co-director and Executive Director with Brown, and will remain at the helm.

In a press release, the Board of Directors said, “Lyla brought a number of vital and essential upgrades and changes to the organization during her four-year tenure.

“These include the acquisition of and oversight for the renovations of two new buildings, purchased in June of 2019. The former Arrowhead Pharmacy (Now Studio 21) and Viking Haus (now Studio 17) buildings expanded the Art Colony’s physical plant and program capacity by 60 percent. They have become key resources for the Art Colony and also for the community at large and will remain an ongoing legacy of Mr. Brown’s leadership.

“Ms. Brown’s business acumen ensured upgrades in institutional best practices and financial management. She also steered the organization through the uncertainty of the pandemic, during which time she navigated the web of grant and small business support options, keeping the organization going and flourishing into its 75th and now 76th year.”

Brown came to Cook County from Kent County, Maryland. Her past experience focused on a variety of issues, such as housing, civic engagement, land conservation, youth development, and human services through leadership roles in nonprofits and international development over the past 20 years.

Charles Matson Lume, a current Art Colony board member, said, “Lyla has helped grow ht Art Colony in innumerable ways, and we will miss her indefatigable work ethic and clarity of leadership. Because of Lyla, we are now in a better place to meet the needs of artists.”

Sally Berg, Cook County Resident and former board chair had this to say about the outgoing director. “When Lyla was hired, her primary task was to assist the Art Colony with building expansion. The board hoped to acquire a building or land for development within five to ten years. Within seven months, Lyla led the Art Colony to the purchase of two new buildings.

“I appreciated Lyla’s exceptional talents in grant writing, understanding the financial picture of the organization, and keeping the organization focused during the pandemic when it wasn’t possible to have in-person classes. I know that Lyla will be a talented leader for the next organization that is lucky enough to hire her.”