Mary Bryan Hood, founding director of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art and president of the OMFA Foundation, died on Sunday at the age of 86.
Hood had been at the helm of the museum since its opened in 1977. She was active in the visual arts at the state, regional, and national levels as with roles that included administrator, curator, and consultant.
According to a release from the museum, OMFA draws more than 100,000 people annually. In 1994, Hood directed a $3 million expansion project, adding two new wings which house a collection of American and European art dating from the 15th century to the present. In 2020, she oversaw a $2.3 million capital campaign designed to establish an operations endowment, refurbish the museum’s historically important facility, and provide sustaining support.
“During her tenure as director, she curated an extensive series of exhibitions documenting the cultural history of Kentucky and published texts recording that research. She organized exhibitions for the Office of the Governor which were presented in major American cities as a part of Kentucky’s industrial development and tourism programs,” according to the release.
Prior to serving as museum director, Hood served as its first chairperson and later executive directorof the Owensboro Arts Commission, served as a member of the Kentucky Bicentennial Commission and the Kentucky Arts Council, was a charter board member of the Kentucky Citizens for the Arts, and was a president of the Kentucky Association of Museums.
According to the OMFA release, Jason Hayden has been appointed interim director of the museum. Hayden’s career began at the museum in 1991. He has held several positions at the museum and currently serves as assistant director and development officer.
