Black Belt Treasures leader Sullen Creswell to retire in July after 21 years

Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center in Camden has announced that Executive Director Sulynn Creswell is retiring effective July 31.

Associate Director Kristin Law will take over as executive director on Aug. 1.

Creswell grew the organization into an economic engine in the Black Belt region through the arts and cultural heritage tourism, the agency said in a statement.

Black Bet Treasures provides artist development and arts programming on-site, at partner locations and in schools. 

Creswell has shared the BBTCAC success story at conferences and workshops throughout the United States as well as with countless visitors to the BBTCAC Gallery in Camden, the statement said.

“There have been very few days just alike over the past 21 years,” Creswell said. “Each day has brought challenges and fabulous opportunities to grow and learn professionally and personally.”

Creswell said she is grateful for the relationships built with the Board of Directors, fellow staff members, partnering organizations, art students of all ages. And she is especially proud of working with the “exceptionally talented people who create each day in Alabama’s Black Belt.”

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“I will treasure the many memories entwined in my life through BBTCAC,” she said in a statement.

Creswell said she will continue being involved in a more limited capacity.

Law has worked alongside Creswell for 15 years and assisted with programming, fundraising and development efforts. Law also has been instrumental in building their arts education program and brand and marketing. 

Law spent nine years as curator of collections at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia, two years as the Black Belt Arts Initiative Coordinator at the Black Belt Community Foundation and has 20 years of experience as an exhibiting artist and arts educator across the Southeast.

Dr. Tina Jones, president of the board for BBTCAC, said Sulynn’s service to BBTCAC is immeasurable. 

“She has poured her heart and soul into this organization and has been and continues to be a stalwart advocate for the artists, arts education and Alabama Black Belt,” Jones said. “We are confident that Kristin will continue to grow the organization and increase the positive impact of BBTCAC for many years to come.”

Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, a nonprofit, opened in 2005 with artwork from 75 artists and has grown to include works from more than 500. Visitors from all 50 states and over 34 countries have visited the gallery in the Camden, the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt region.