Brownawell received a B.A. in Art with emphasis in Art History from Wilkes College and a Master’s degree in Museum Education from George Washington University. Before joining the Academy Art Museum as Curator in 1988, he held positions with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the Commonwealth Conservation Center during undergraduate and graduate internships.
Brownawell is moving to midcoast Maine with his wife Carol and their three children. “As a child, some of my fondest moments were visits to the Philadelphia Museum of Art,” said Brownawell. “And I want both children and adults to have similar memories from their time in the Farnsworth’s galleries and education programs. Maine inspires great art, and that art inspires the imagination and creativity of all those who experience it.”
Brownawell succeeds Michael K. Komanecky, who has served as the museum’s Interim Director since January 2009 when Lora Urbanelli, then the Farnsworth’s Director, became Director of the Montclair Art Museum. “Michael has performed two jobs since Lora left,” said Aroneau. “He has continued his outstanding contributions as our Chief Curator, organizing the museum’s moving celebration in honor of Andrew Wyeth and producing such memorable exhibitions as Jamie Wyeth’s “Seven Deadly Sins” and “Robert Indiana and The Star of Hope.” At the same time, Michael performed all the tasks demanded of a Director with grace and distinction. As he returns to being a full-time Chief Curator, the Board wishes to express our deep appreciation for all that he has done for the museum over the past year.”
The Director Search Committee was chaired by Fred Kellogg and included Board members Richard Aroneau, Mary Collins, Mazie Cox, Vicki Goldstein, Ken Shure and former Board members Charles Altschul and Betsy Cohen. The Committee was assisted by Marilyn Hoffman of Museum Search & Reference, an executive-recruiting firm.
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