After four decades as visionary director, Laurie Norton Moffatt to retire from Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge— Norman Rockwell Museum announced that Director/CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt, a visionary leader who guided the transformation of a grassroots house museum into an internationally renowned home for American illustration art, intends to retire in 2026 upon appointment of her successor.
Rising from a part-time summer docent while still in college, Norton Moffatt became curator of the fledgling Norman Rockwell Museum in 1981, then was named director in 1986, at the age of 29.
Through the work of the Museum and her own global advocacy for the art and ideals of Norman Rockwell, Norton Moffatt has successfully invited reconsideration of Rockwell as one of America’s foremost artists and visual storytellers. Formerly dismissed as sentimental by art critics, Rockwell now commands top American art auction prices and continues to draw fans and appreciators of all ages.
“Laurie Norton Moffatt’s lifelong dedication to the art of Norman Rockwell has taken the Museum on an amazing journey from a little wooden house in the middle of our village to its current incarnation as an internationally renowned and respected home for the artist’s work and his beloved field of illustration art,” said artist and literary translator Daisy Rockwell, a Norman Rockwell Museum Trustee and Norman Rockwell’s granddaughter.
Reflecting on her extraordinary career, Norton Moffatt said, “The kindness and optimism expressed in Rockwell’s work has always resonated with me. When I was still in college, I was deeply moved by people’s emotional responses to Rockwell’s paintings. Decades later, I see these same responses every day at our Museum, and they continue to move me. I treasure the compassion, humor, hope, kindness, and affection for humanity that shine out from his life and work. Our world and our common humanity need these values. I believe Rockwell’s art will continue to speak to our culture and move the hearts of new generations.”
Norman Rockwell Museum has formed a Board of Trustees Search Committee to begin the process of selecting a new director. Norton Moffatt will remain Director/CEO until her successor is appointed and will work closely alongside board and staff colleagues to ensure the strongest possible leadership transition.
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Triplex Cinema announces new board president and members
Great Barrington— The Triplex Cinema announces that Gail Lansky has been named the new President of the Board of Directors and that Leslie Chesloff, Matthew Penn, and Mitch Smilowitz have also joined the Board.
Gail Lansky has spent her entire career working with non-profit organizations, including the Yiddish Book Center, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and Amherst Cinema. She most recently worked as the Director of Admissions and Marketing at Lander-Grinspoon Academy in Northampton, and is currently a part-time preschool teacher. Prior board experience includes ten years on the Board of UMass Amherst Hillel where she served as President, ten years on the Board of the Amherst Survival Center, serving as Vice President, and five years as chair of Amherst’s Community Development Block Grant Committee. Prior to becoming Board Chair, Ms. Lansky was a member of the Triplex Board of Directors.
Leslie Chesloff is a 35-year veteran of the television entertainment field, holding executive level positions with Columbia Pictures Television, Chris Craft Corporation, The Tribune Company, and Lifetime TV Networks. Since 2015 Leslie has been a real estate agent with William Pitt Sotheby’s.
Matthew Penn is an Emmy nominated director who has worked extensively in both theatre and television. He has directed iconic shows such as “Law and Order,” “The Sopranos,” “NYPD Blue” and many others. Matthew has directed theatre productions for Barrington Stage, Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, and Great Barrington Public Theatre.
Mitch Smilowitz is the CEO of The Joint Retirement Board, a not-for-profit organization that is the plan sponsor and plan administrator of a denominational retirement plan. Mitch has extensive experience in investment analysis, financial planning, and tax compliance.
Board President Lansky said, “I’d like to express my gratitude to what Nicki Wilson, my predecessor as Board President, has done to Save the Triplex. It was Nicki’s vision and determination that helped to bring the Triplex back to live as a nonprofit organization. With her endless energy, dedication and ability to forge partnerships the Triplex has become a community hub and now has more than 600 members who actively participate in our wide range of events. However, our work is not yet done. Our priorities are the renovation of Theatre Two, replacing seats, redesigning our patio, and further expanding our membership base. With the help of our Board, and the more than 1000 supporters who help to Save the Triplex, we look forward to making these much needed upgrades and improvement in the coming months.”
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Sharon Playhouse announces Meghan Flanagan as new Managing Director
Sharon, Conn.— The Sharon Playhouse is excited to announce Meghan Flanagan as its new Managing Director. Her appointment follows the dedicated service of Rod Christensen, who moved on after 2.5 years in the position. Rod’s commitment to the Playhouse was invaluable, and he will be greatly missed by the staff and the community.
Flanagan brings extensive experience in operations, strategic planning, and community leadership to the Playhouse. Previously, she served as Chief Operations Officer at the National Society of Compliance Professionals and as Revenue Operations Manager at Red Oak Compliance Solutions, among other notable roles.
A former board member and Treasurer of the Sharon Playhouse, she is no stranger to the community. She has a strong commitment to local impact, having co-chaired the Sharon Connect Task Force, which brought high-speed internet access to over 250 rural homes in Connecticut.She also serves on the board of the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon and is a former board member of The Equus Effect.
Of the appointment, Flanagan said, ”I’m thrilled to join the Sharon Playhouse in this new role and to help lead such an important cultural institution in our community.”
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Morris Elementary School recognized for creating positive school climate
Lenox— Superintendent Dr. William Collins, Principal Brenda Kelley and Assistant Principal Holly Soules are proud to share that Morris Elementary School has been awarded a Bronze Level distinction courtesy of Northeast Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (NEPBIS).
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive, evidence-based framework that promotes a positive school climate by explicitly teaching and reinforcing behavioral expectations. It reduces disciplinary incidents, increases instructional time, and supports equity by ensuring consistent, fair responses across all student groups. Additionally, it strengthens students’ social-emotional skills, such as self-regulation and empathy, while enhancing staff collaboration through aligned practices. Morris Elementary School was one of seven schools across Massachusetts to be recognized for its exemplary implementation of PBIS.
Assistant Principal Soules attended the NEPBIS Annual Leadership Forum on May 15th in Mystic, Conn. to accept the award. “We are extremely proud to receive this recognition, as we are in the midst of only the second year of implementation of PBIS at Morris,” said Soules.
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Housatonic Valley Association accepted into International Conservation Impact Accelerator Program
Pittsfield— The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) has been named to the Salazar Center for North American Conservation’s Peregrine Accelerator for Conservation Impact 2025 cohort.
This international program is designed to scale the impact of innovative, place-based strategies that address biodiversity loss, enhance ecological connectivity. and strengthen community resilience. Through funding, mentorship and collaboration with organizations throughout the North Atlantic region of the U.S. and Canada, this six-month program will expand the reach and effectiveness of Follow the Forest—HVA’s initiative that brings together over 50 partners to protect and connect core forests across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
This Accelerator fosters collaboration across borders, Indigenous territories, and ecological boundaries. HVA joins the 2025 cohort alongside seven additional organizations leading transformative conservation efforts in North America. HVA staff will participate in a retreat on Prince Edward Island in early June to kick off the program. Through the Accelerator, HVA and partners will receive tailored support with the goal of strengthening Follow the Forest’s community science tools, communication strategies, and funding and governance models to ensure long-term success. To learn more about HVA’s conservation work in the Northeast, visit hvatoday.org. To learn more about the Follow the Forest initiative, visit followtheforest.org.
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Town of Chatham Economic Committee and Columbia County Economic Development present Corporation Business Loans and Grants Panel Discussion
North Chatham, N.Y.— On Wednesday, June 11 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Town of Chatham Economic Committee and the Columbia County Economic Development present Corporation Business Loans and Grants Panel Discussion.
Join F. Michael Tucker, President and CEO of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), who will lead the panel, with participants Martha E. Lane, CEDC Vice President of Business Development and Specialist Stephen Vandenburger, CEDC Business Development Specialist, who together will examine essential business resources and funding opportunities in Columbia County.
This free event is on Wednesday, June 11th from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the North Chatham Free Library at the Library Annex Trolley Station, located at 103 Depot Street in North Chatham. To register, email register@northchathamlibrary.org.
