Press Release Announcing New Executive Director

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads is pleased to announce that Joan L. Rhodes-Copeland has been named the new Executive Director. Joan replaces Patricia Rublein who retired recently from this position.

Joan, a Portsmouth native, returned back to the area from Brooklyn, NY in the early 90’s and immersed herself in the local arts scene. She and her husband, Wayman, were the owners of the Art Atrium II Gallery in Portsmouth for several years. During that time, she served on several local arts boards and commissions in Portsmouth, and developed many alliances with arts groups in the area. The gallery was a showcase for authors and performing groups and through community grant, the gallery sponsored summer arts camps for local children.

Joan was the director of the outdoor art festivals held in Towne Place, Chesapeake, Va. for several summers and has authored a book, DIRECTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, published by Hampton University Museum, Hampton, Virginia, 2001.

Joan currently serves as Chair of the Steering Committee of the Friends of African American Art, an affiliate group at the Chrysler Museum and has served on this Committee for several years.

Joan performs in a reader’s theater group, NOT JUST FOR FEBRUARY PLAYERS, writes and directs plays for her church, First Baptist Church, Bute Street in Norfolk, and sings in the choir; volunteers at the Virginia State Theater Company and continues to curate art exhibits.

Joan’s professional background is in education administration; she has been a Campus Director for several schools. She recently retired from ECPI College of Technology as an education administrator. At ECPI, she held various positions; more recently as Director of Faculty Training and Development for all the campuses. She received her B.S. from Norfolk State University, and a MA from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, NYC. Joan has authored a college textbook, SECRETARIAL PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTRONIC OFFICE, and has published several articles. She and her husband have three children, and five grandchildren!

The Cultural Alliance believes that with Joan’s administrative experience and her passion for the arts she will be a great asset to the organization. Joan can be reached at joan@culturalli.org or 757-889.9479.