UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

Utah Museum of Fine Arts director David Dee has stepped down after four years at the university museum, reports the Deseret News. In a recent statement to Utah College of Fine Arts Dean Raymond Tymas-Jones, Dee said he was grateful for the support of the college and “the privilege of leading the UMFA through an unprecedented period of growth and accomplishment.”

Dee has decided to return to full-time curatorial duties and said he looks forward to focusing on the area of art he loves most, as the curator of the museum’s Asian art collection. During the past four years, Dee worked to bring to the UMFA exhibitions including a recent show of Impressionist and modern works ranging from Monet to Picasso, and the museum’s current American Indian exhibit, “Splendid Heritage.” Gretchen Dietrich, director of public programs and curatorial affairs at the museum, has been asked to serve as interim director while the school conducts a national search for a new director.