The Frick Pittsburgh announced Friday, Oct. 11, that Elizabeth “Lizzie” Barker had left her role as executive director. Barker had served in that post since December 2019.In an email to Frick members, Bob Hernandez — chair of the board of trustees — wrote that Barker introduced new programming and audiences to the museums and gardens while simultaneously steering the organization through challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.“During Lizzie’s time as executive director, the Frick produced the most attended exhibit in our history, ‘Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt: Forging the Frick Collections in Pittsburgh and New York,’ … and was honored by the American Association for State and Local History for the Signature Clayton Tour Experience: ‘Gilded, Not Golden,’” Hernandez wrote. “We are grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best as she pursues her next career chapter.”The Frick’s board is currently engaged in a nationwide search process to find a successor. Hernandez will “provide overall guidance and direction” in the interim.In a statement provided by communications personnel, Barker expresses pride for what The Frick had accomplished during her tenure and writes that she’ll continue to root for the museum as she moves into her next chapter.Barker was only available for comment via LinkedIn messaging. She writes that, for now, her next chapter begins with recharging. She did not indicate why she left The Frick.“I’m pretty sure I still know how to enjoy a walk in the woods without my iPhone, and I’m hoping I can work my way up to a whole weekend offline,” Barker writes. “And I’m eager to return to some writing projects that I set aside when I came to The Frick, involving research in art history and the evolving role of museums as public institutions.”The post The Frick Pittsburgh searches for new executive director as Elizabeth Barker departs appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.