Former Miami professor will help find new director for Pyramid Hill

Lee Knisley Sanders was recently appointed as interim director at Pyramid Hill. The search for a permanent director is underway.

Lee Knisley Sanders was recently appointed as interim director at Pyramid Hill. The search for a permanent director is underway.

Lee Knisley Sanders has been appointed the interim director at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum.

She assumed the role on Oct. 15. Former Director, Shaun Higgins, recently became the executive director of the Fitton Family YMCA.

Prior to taking on the role at Pyramid Hill, Knisley Sanders spent 29 years with Miami University, serving the regional campuses as faculty in the mathematics department and later in administrative roles. She retired in 2013, but served the YWCA of Hamilton as interim executive director for 10 months in 2017-18 after the death of director Sherrie Bluester.

Knisley Sanders brings administrative and collaborative skills to the position as well as experience, knowledge and an appreciation of Hamilton and Butler County. She also has a keen interest in serving an organization that contributes to the quality of life in the area.

“The biggest thing that I’m doing for the organization is having the overview of what’s going on, giving support and back-up to the staff, providing someone to whom they can go as a sounding board for whatever problems they have. We have good staff. You let them do their jobs, and you back them up when you need to, and I believe that’s my job. Meanwhile, nurturing and building the contacts that the organization has within the community and working with the board on whatever projects the board needs me to work on. I serve at the pleasure of the board of directors,” Knisley Sanders said.

She said Pyramid Hill is an incredibly beautiful place to work. Just driving into the park to work every day is a joy and getting to walk around on the grounds is a joy. She also said it’s exciting to learn more about art and sculpture.

A search firm has been engaged to seek a permanent director, but in the meantime, Knisley Sanders will work with the staff and volunteers to keep the park and museum moving forward with planned events as well as pursuing new opportunities for 2019.

“I do not plan to apply for the permanent job. I see my role as helping the organization continue to move forward and prepare for their permanent director,” Knisley Sanders said.

She said the search has started. Pyramid Hill hopes to have a new leader in place by February 2019, according to its website.

Knisley Sanders and her husband, Bob, reside in Fairfield.

The museum is currently hosting a FotoFocus exhibition “Arbus, Frank, Penn: Masterworks of Post-War American Photography,” which will be on display through Friday, Nov. 30. The exhibition of black-and-white photos showcases the work of three photojournalists who turned their cameras on the “overlooked, unseen and ostracized” of 1950s and ‘60’s society.

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