Pamela Snyder Etters was named the new Arts Fest executive director, the festival announced Tuesday.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, more commonly known as Arts Fest, is a celebration held in downtown State College each summer that features music, local art, theatrical performances, and a gallery exhibition. The 2023 festival will take place from July 12 to 16. 

Etters was previously the executive director of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania for the past two years and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra for almost nine years. She also coaches women’s soccer at Penn State Altoona and is active in several Altoona community and arts-based organizations.

Longtime Arts Fest Executive Director Rick Bryant retired from the position in January after serving in the role since 2005.

“There are no words to adequately express the amount of enthusiasm with which I enter my new role,” Etters said. “Rick Bryant has left me some big shoes to fill, but I am excited to work with the staff and board to uphold the strong traditions of the festival while navigating the need to adapt to modern societal preferences.”

Etters, a passionate artist, works with art-centered nonprofits and founded a mural construction program called the Murals Talks Foundation. Her focus lies in youth empowerment and promoting social connections through artwork and murals.

Carolyn Donaldson, president of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Board of Directors, said Etters is expected to bring a new perspective to the festival while building on Bryant’s legacy.

Etters will begin her position on Friday, February 10.