More recently, she has served as a contributing artist, student, instructor and staff member. She has been a fixture around the center for more than 20 years.

It seemed she had done everything at the MAC except serve as its executive director.

Kate Dykes can now scratch that off her list.

Dykes recently was named replacement for Betsy Hope, who left the MAC for a position with the Oxford Community Foundation. In her role as executive director, Dykes, 47, a 1990 Middletown High School graduate and Ohio University alum, wants to continue the work accomplished by previous executive directors.

“I look forward to championing our mission and continuing to build upon MAC’s 62 years of success in arts programming, captivating exhibitions, community engagement and connecting people with art,” she said. “I think for so many, we just consider this our home.”

Her job, she said, is to “tell our story, what a wonderful resource we are here.”

She said the MAC receives no government funding, so it depends heavily on private donations. For the center to remain open and provide “great programs,” it must be on a “firm financial foundation,” she said.

“We must keep this place vibrant and accessible for anyone,” she said.

The center provides an opportunity, through its workshops, for people to be introduced to art. Even those who have never put pencil to paper can be introduced to a medium they enjoy, she said

“There is something for everyone,” she said.

Dykes and her husband, Greg, and two daughters, Kara, 14, and Chloe, 10, live in Monroe. Her daughters take art classes at the center.