New leaders named at city arts office, B&OMuseum

Donna Drew Sawyer, an official at the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts since 2017 who formerly worked at the Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, has been named to head the nonprofit agency that produces Artscape, Light City and other local events. “Donna has a strong diverse history in arts leadership, solid marketing and business acumen and a fierce commitment to equity and collaboration,” BOPA board chair Anana Kambon said in a statement announcing the appointment. Sawyer, BOPA’s chief of external affairs, replaces Bill Gilmore, who retired in December after 27 years heading the office, whichserves as the city’s official arts council, events agency and film office. Also Wednesday, the B&O Railroad Museum announced the appointment of Kris Hoellen as its new executive director. Hoellen, currently senior vice president at Baltimore’s National Aquarium, had previously worked at the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. She will begin her work with the B&O in September. She replaces Courtney Wilson, whoannouncedhisdeparture in February after 20 years with the museum.