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Arts center creates post

Former MUM fundraiser Sherry Pieratt will be facility’s development coordinator.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 1:43 AM Sunday, November 22, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Wanting to ensure its viability and increase its visibility, the Middletown Arts Center has created the part-time position of development coordinator. That coordinator is Sherry Pieratt.

From 1996 to 2007, Pieratt worked as the director of development for Miami University Middletown, raising several million dollars for scholarships and capital projects, including the Campus Community Center.

When Pieratt retired, she didn’t stop working. Last year she chaired the Abilities First 50th anniversary banquet, and that event netted the nonprofit agency more than $92,000.

“I love Middletown, I’m a big, big supporter of lots of things in Middletown,” she said.

That being the case, Pieratt was happy to get back into development work for the arts center, 130 N. Verity Parkway, and she was suitably impressed with the place, saying, “I didn’t really realize what a wonderful organization it is.”

Now it will be her job to spread that message to people in the community.

She will be in charge of all fundraising initiatives, and she’s creating a five-year plan for strategic development to make the center better known and to ensure its longevity.

One of the events she’s working on is Santa’s Wonderland of Art on Dec. 5 and 6, which will feature events such as pictures with Santa and a workshop for glass-blowing ornaments.

“The biggest value (the arts center) has is it introduces people to visual arts of all kinds,” Pieratt said.

Patt Belisle, the executive director of the center, said about Pieratt, “She seemed to be the perfect fit. She definitely knows Middletown. She is very astute and has lots of energy and drive.”

And she’s learning to have willpower, too. When she sees some of the jewelry items on display, she says “When I come here in the morning, I have to make sure my credit cards are not with me.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

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