Tom Webb has joined the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA) team as the new Visual Arts Center (VAC) Director. Of Tom, former OCCA Executive Director Catherine Rickbone noted that he is “a great fit, with his background in nonprofit leadership and arts programming, as well as his more recent experiences in education.”
Raised in Portland, Tom has served as executive director for Orlo, a nonprofit organization that explores place-based issues through the creative arts, and as editor for Orlo’s award-winning publication, The Bear Deluxe Magazine. Tom notes, “Orlo presents a full spectrum of arts programming, including publications, exhibitions, film and video series, educational road shows and numerous community-based arts events.” Orlo and The Bear Deluxe magazine have been recognized by the Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Arts Commission, Literary Arts, Print magazine, the Bumpershoot Arts Festival, and High County News, among others, for editorial and design excellence.
Tom’s other recent roles include outreach coordinator for the Honoring Our Rivers project, a program to encourage and publish student work related to rivers and watersheds, and editor at Portland State University. For the past three years, Tom has served as associate professor at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, teaching a master’s level class in magazine development. Rickbone noted Tom’s “creative energies in helping OCCA manage the VAC, create stimulating exhibitions, and develop our arts learning program.”
Tom is no stranger to Newport and he admits, “I’ve been looking for an opportunity to relocate to the Oregon coast. I’m more than excited to be here.” In thinking about being the first male to fill the VAC manager position, he replies: “It’s good to know that there aren’t any glass ceilings at the VAC, at least not anymore.”
Tom is a published author (poetry and creative nonfiction) and an award-winning magazine editor. View Tom’s LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/om/webbtom. He enjoys cycling and tennis and even a bit of competitive duplicate bridge. OCCA encourages readers to stop by the VAC and welcome Tom or contact him at twebb@coastarts.org or 541-265-6569.