By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The man who led the effort to build the new Burchfield Penney Art Center is stepping down. Long-time museum director Ted Pietrzak announced he will leave his post this fall.
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The Burchfield Penney Art Center of today looks nothing like the museum Pietrzak walked into 12 years ago. The renowned Burchfield collection was housed in crammed quarters above Buffalo State College's Rockwell Hall.
But with a lot of vision - and an awful lot of fundraising - Pietrzak walks away from a museum that is a spacious, shining new jewel in the museum district. Pietrzak said it is time for him to pass the mantel and explore new challenges.
Pietrzak said he has no immediate plans for a new post. But the native Canadian said he wanted to be open about pursuing new opportunities. In the meantime, Pietrzak said he will stay on until October and will be available if his input is needed in the national search for his replacement.
He believes the new $30 million museum is on solid ground for its next leader.
Pietrzak said he will miss the museum, its staff and he loves Buffalo. But he is not sure where his new challenges will take him.