Forbes named executive director of Wintergreen
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Rowena Forbes, of Castle Hill, has been named executive director of the Winter-green Arts Center, located on State Street.
“The Winter-green board of directors is happy to have Rowena Forbes 
join our organization. We are impressed by her vision, energy and fresh ideas for the center. We look forward to working with her and to continued success under her leadership,” said Kari Wells-Puckett, board chair.
Forbes is looking forward to working at Wintergreen and its continuing legacy of bringing art to the forefront downtown.
“I am very excited and honored to be given a chance to lead Wintergreen Arts Center, a place about which our community cares so deeply. I can only hope to match that caring with my own dedication to Wintergreen, and those who support and enjoy its programs,” said Forbes.
Forbes, a native of the area, is passionate about art and has spent several years honing her skills.
“This is an amazing opportunity to combine my business and organizational skills, my passion for art and my love for the community in which I was born and raised,” she said. “Through new and extended programming, I envision Wintergreen becoming the go-to place for art enrichment and creative inspiration for all ages and (for those) from other communities in the area.”
Forbes will be graduating in May 2014 with a bachelor of fine arts degree, with an English minor, from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. During her years at UMPI, she worked closely with the Reed Fine Art Gallery director, as well as filling the position of interim gallery director for a time. She has been working in the field of graphic design for 15 years, including working at Northeast Publishing before opening her own business. As an entrepreneur, she has been running her freelance art and design studio for over five years. She is a strong advocate for personal growth, education and creating opportunity for the betterment of her community.
Forbes is a member of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, Aroostook Partners in the Arts, and has been a volunteer, speaker and statewide ambassador for Aroostook County Women, Work and Community since 2010. Forbes resides in Castle Hill with her husband and daughter.
