Warhol Museum director leaving; no explanation given

Tom Sokolowski

The longtime director of the Andy Warhol Museum on the North Side, Tom Sokolowski, is leaving the museum at the end of the year.

The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh announced his departure this morning. Mr. Sokolowski has led the museum for 14 years, arriving two years after the internationally acclaimed museum opened.

A museum news release gave no reason for his departure, saying only that he would remain in the position until Dec. 31, while the museum system searches for a replacement. The museum system is also in the midst of a search for a new president for all four of its museums (including the museums of Art and Natural History and the Science Center).

Rumors began circulating last week that Mr. Sokolowski was leaving, but he denied it in an interview Friday, as did museums' spokeswoman Betsy Momich.

The news release includes no comment from Mr. Sokolowski, but does have this from outgoing museums president David Hillenbrand: "Tom saw beyond what could have been the limitations of a single-artist museum and led The Warhol in many fascinating directions ... Regionally, The Warhol is now known for its gutsy programming, its thoughtful outreach, and its willingness to lead as well as partner. Internationally, the museum is known as the definitive resource for everything Warhol and an enthusiastic collaborator on exhibitions that bring the work of Andy Warhol to the world, which has an insatiable appetite for Andy Warhol. Tom has also assembled an incredible team of talented individuals who are devoted to carrying out the museum's mission."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.





First published on November 29, 2010 at 11:38 am