For Immediate Release | Socrates Sculpture Park

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Julia Metro
Director of Development & Communications
jm@socratessculpturepark.org
978.390.0008

SUZY DELVALLE TO SERVE AS INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK

Outgoing Socrates Sculpture Park Executive Director, John Hatfield (left), and Interim Director, Suzy Delvalle (right), 2021, Image by Sara Morgan.

Long Island City, NY | July 12, 2021

Suzy Delvalle has been named Interim Director of Socrates Sculpture Park, effective immediately. Suzy is taking over for John Hatfield, Socrates Sculpture Park’s Executive Director of nine years, who announced his plans to depart the organization in October 2020. A search for the Park’s permanent Executive Director is still ongoing.

Suzy most recently served as President and Executive Director of Creative Capital, a national nonprofit organization that supports innovative and adventurous artists across the country through funding, counsel, gatherings, and career development services. She is a fierce advocate for art and artists. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the cultural sector, she has committed her career to enhancing the impact of mission-based organizations and building opportunity and equity in the arts.

As the second Director in Creative Capital’s history, Suzy oversaw some of the most dramatic changes in the organization’s two-decade history. Under her leadership, Creative Capital increased its annual operating budget 20 percent, further developed the board with twelve new active members while also establishing a National Advisory Council, and expanded services to artists by instituting annual Creative Capital Awards and retreats.

On assuming this leadership role, she says, “I am honored to support Socrates Sculpture Park during this time of transition, and I want to thank the Board of Directors for this tremendous opportunity. John Hatfield has grown the organization in innumerable ways during his nine years here, including doubling the operating budget and staff size, and ushering in new exhibitions that have garnered critical acclaim. I look forward to working with Socrates’ rich family of artists, staff and collaborators, as well as the surrounding community.”

“The Board is excited that Suzy is serving as Interim Director during this important time for the organization,” says Ivana Mestrovic, Board Secretary & Treasurer. “Suzy brings a wealth of experience working with artists and communities, and we have the utmost faith in her ability to lead Socrates as we continue our search for a permanent Executive Director.”

John Hatfield, Executive Director of Socrates Sculpture Park since 2012, announced his plans to step down after nine years leading the outdoor sculpture park in October. His last day as Executive Director was Friday, July 9 and he says, “Suzy has been a valued colleague in the field for many years, and I am thrilled to hand the reins over to her. I am immensely proud of the organization’s progress over the last nine years and all that the Board, staff, and I have accomplished together.”

John will be joining the faculty of NYU this September to teach a course for their Graduate Program in Museum Studies. While exploring other pursuits, he will also continue serving in an advisory capacity on the Socrates’ capital project to build a permanent structure in the Park. Socrates gratefully recognizes Jimmy Van Bramer and the New York City Council for their recent allocation of $500,000 towards completing this project.

The Board has appointed a Transition Committee and retained Management Consultants for the Arts to lead the search.

About Socrates

For over 30 years, Socrates Sculpture Park has been a model of public art production, community activism, and socially inspired place-making. Over 1,000 artists have created and exhibited new works on its five waterfront acres and outdoor studio facilities. Socrates is free and open to the public 365 days a year from 9am to sunset. It is located at 32-01 Vernon Boulevard (at Broadway) in Long Island City, New York. Socrates Sculpture Park is a not-for-profit organization licensed by NYC Parks to manage and program Socrates Sculpture Park, a New York City public park. Covid-19 Updates: Socrates remains open to the public at regular hours, 9am – sunset, with free admission. Park policies and updates regarding health and safety can be found at socratessculpturepark.org/Covid19.

The Park is on the ancestral land of the Lenape, Canarsie, and Matinecock peoples.