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Charles A. Venable

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CHARLES L. VENABLE NEW DIRECTOR AND CEO SPEED ART MUSEUM w/1 cut

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LOUISVILLE, KY. — The Speed Art Museum’s Board of Governors announced the appointment of Dr Charles L. Venable as the museum’s next director and CEO. Venable was selected after a thorough national search and succeeds Peter Morrin, who is retiring after leading the Speed for more than 20 years.

Venable brings more than 20 years of museum experience to the Speed. For the past five years he has served as deputy director for collections and programs at the Cleveland Museum of Art. He was integral in developing and executing the CMA’s strategic plan and expansion project. Of particular note is the “World Tour” to Asia, Europe and North America of masterpieces from the CMA’s renowned collection that Venable organized while deputy director.

Venable was at the Dallas Museum of Art from 1986 to 2002. Rising from the rank of assistant curator to that of deputy director, Venable built the DMA’s holdings of American decorative art and design, especially in the area of silver, into one of the finest in the country. He also organized numerous exhibitions and became known as a scholar by editing and writing several well-respected publications.

For his book, American Furniture in the Bybee Collection, 1989, Venable was awarded the Charles F. Montgomery Award. His 1994 publication, Silver in America, 1840–1940: A Century of Splendor, Venable received the Montgomery Prize.

Venable is the only scholar to have received both the distinguished Charles F. Montgomery Award and the Montgomery Prize. His last major work, China and Glass in America, 1880–1980, 2000, was highly acclaimed for its scholarly contribution to the decorative arts field and for its accessible style.

A native Texan, Venable holds a PhD in American Studies from Boston University, an MA in fine and decorative art from the University of Delaware and a BA in American history and art history, cum laude, from Riche University. His partner, Martin Webb, works in marketing and product management and their daughter, Alexandra Venable, will be a freshman at Vassar College this fall.

Board of Governors Chair Richard H.C. Clay remarked, “We are pleased to bring someone of Charles Venable’s immense talent, experience and respect in the museum field to Louisville and the Speed Art Museum. His leadership will allow the Speed to go to the next level in expansion planning, community engagement, and art collecting.”

The Speed is at 2035 South Third Street. For information, www.speedmuseum.org or 502-634-2700.