Gregory Hallock began the transition as the new executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council five weeks ago, after former Executive Director Jennifer Gray resigned.
Hallock grew up in Delevan and went to Genesee Community College. He graduated with a Theater degree and from there, went to Brockport to get his bachelor’s degree in Acting, with a minor in Dance. He received his graduate degree from the University at Buffalo and started working for GO ART! a year and a half ago as the assistant director.
As the executive director, Hallock’s schedule changes from day to day. He works on events, finances and the Decentralization Grant Program.
“I’m getting paid to be involved with the arts,” Hallock said. “It’s the most incredible thing in the world. Most people, arts is a luxury. It’s something that they can only hope they can get somewhere. I get to do it as my job.”
Since 1962, GO ART! has been dedicated to developing the cultural life in Genesee and Orleans counties by facilitating the creation, presentation and experience of art, heritage and traditions.
GO ART! is in the midst of hiring a new assistant director to take over the grants program. Hallock said he hopes the new director will start Aug. 1.
Gray resigned from the position for personal reasons, but still volunteers, Hallock said.
“She is still completely passionate about us,” Hallock said. “She is still dedicated to us.”
Hallock said his immediate goal is to increase the membership to 600 members by June 2018 and he also wants to increase awareness of GO ART!
“I’ve been trying to attend every event possible,” Hallock said. “Once I am done with the transition [into the new position] I am going to start going to board meetings all over the place.”
Picnic in the Park, at 11 a.m. on July 4, is one of Hallock’s big projects. He is in charge of the event at Centennial Park, and said he is excited for this year’s theme, “Summer of Love.”
Hallock said he is more than willing to meet with anybody or talk to anybody about GO ART!, and arts and culture in general. He wants to get more people into the building, known as Seymour Place, located at 201 E. Main St. in Batavia, to see the artwork.
“This building is our biggest expense,” Hallock said, of the historic brick property downtown. “It’s an amazing building and I want to utilize it to its fullest potential. I want to get people in this building and have art hanging on every wall.”
Hallock said working under Gray was extremely beneficial for his transition to the new position.
“Working with her has been amazing,” Hallock said. “I’ve made the connections I didn’t previously have. I got to see how things worked here before I got to dive in.”
Anyone can visit GO ART! from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and every second Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
“We may not be the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, but we have some pretty amazing stuff here,” Hallock said.
