The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art (OSCVA) in Houston has announced the departure of its Executive Director, Tommy Ralph Pace, and the appointment of Jack Massing to the position.
Mr. Pace joined OSCVA in 2021 following the organization’s year-long search for an Executive Director. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami. During his time at OSCVA, he implemented a new strategic direction for the organization and grew revenue and community engagement. Notably, he secured the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures grant to support the restoration of the Orange Show Monument. Last month he left the organization and took on the role of Head of Major Gifts & Partnerships at the Aspen Art Museum.
Mr. Pace told Glasstire, “It has been a privilege to build such dedicated staff (from 1 to 9 full-time employees under my tenure), and work with volunteers, artists, and supporters who share a passion for the transformative power of art, and a commitment to celebrating the artist in everyone. I remain steadfast in my belief in the Orange Show’s mission and its potential for continued success and growth. I am confident that with the dedication and talent of the team, along with the ongoing support of the community, the organization will continue to thrive for years to come.”
Speaking about his new role, Mr. Pace said, “The Aspen Art Museum is a non-collecting institution located in Aspen, Colorado that presents the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. As it enters its 45th Anniversary year, I look forward to joining this artist-founded institution that is dedicated to supporting the development of bold ideas that shape the field of art today and prepare to launch new major initiatives to be announced in early 2025.”
Jack Massing. Image courtesy of Jack Massing, created using A.I. by Fleabilly
After serving on the board off and on for a number of years and assisting the organization in a variety of capacities, artist Jack Massing stepped into the position of Executive Director of OSCVA on Thursday, August 15. He is perhaps best known as one half of The Art Guys, a conceptual art project in collaboration with Michael Galbreth that lasted from 1983 to 2019. Over more than 35 years the artist duo presented a number of staged performances, public pieces, and interventions.
Mr. Massing told Glasstire that his experience as an artist and his knowledge of the art scene in Houston will help him to satisfy the mission of OSCVA, which is to make art accessible to the public. Speaking of the multi-year restoration and expansion project that is currently underway at the center, Mr. Massing said, “It’s a challenge, and I like challenges… that’s kind of what The Art Guys were doing throughout our career, we were challenging ourselves with our own work. I’m challenging myself to do this as an artist would… In the age of social practice, I’m doing social practice as an Executive Director, which is exciting to me.”
Aside from overseeing the restoration project, Mr. Massing has spent his first few days on the job talking with employees. He explained, “I’ve been collecting their top five priorities for the Orange Show. I’m distilling that and adding my ideas to it. This is a big collaboration.”
Learn more about upcoming programs at the OSCVA and how you can support the organization via its website.
