Stone Valley Arts (SVA) announced recently that Diane Bargiel is the new executive director at the arts center. With over 35 years of experience in the performing arts as a presenter, educator, performer, manager, and division and department chair, Bargiel will bring a multi-faceted perspective to her role at SVA.
“I am honored and excited to accept the baton being passed to me from SVA’s incredible outgoing executive director, Erika Lawlor Schmidt. I love this town, its surrounding region, and this organization with its amazing board,” said Bargiel.
Diane Bargiel received her bachelor of music degree in clarinet from the Dana School of Music, a master of music in clarinet from Michigan State University, certification in music education from Carnegie Mellon University, and a certificate in arts administration from New York University.
In 2021, she retired from SUNY Adirondack as the last humanities division chair and associate professor of music. In 2015, Professor Bargiel received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities, and in 1995, while at Susquehanna University, was presented the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Several professional highlights included president of the New York Association of College Music Programs, president of Pennsylvania Presenters, a board member of Arts Presenters of Northern New England, the Pennsylvania state chair of the College Band Directors National Association, a member of the first Creative Communities Council of Windham County (Vermont), a planning committee member for the first performing arts exchange that covered the entire East Coast, and a conductor and panelist at the 2000 CBDNA Eastern Regional Conference at Yale University, among numerous other roles and volunteer involvement.
A Poultney resident, Bargiel had served on the first Poultney 2020 planning committee, is a past board member of the Killington section of the Green Mountain Club, and is currently on the board of Stone Valley Arts.
“This ‘Brave Little State’ and its creative communities are leading the way in proving just how much of a positive impact that a dynamic creative sector can have on its people and towns. Thearts entertain us, move us to new heights and depths, give us new skills, engage us, enrich us, inspire us, and enliven us,” Bargiel said. “The creative economy helps cultivate good-old-fashioned towns with thriving independent businesses and neighborly communities. I am looking forward to joining with other organizations in our region to enhance our quality of life, and our economy. We’ve got it all here: lakes, mountains, valleys, incredible farms, and beautiful stone with hard-working, creative people. And, we have a vibrant and growing arts community. SVA is proud to be a hub for the arts, and I’m proud to be a part of SVA!” Bargriel stated.
