Clark Appoints Expansion Project Director

12:00AM / Tuesday, March 21, 2006

William F. O'Connor III

Williamstown - The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute announces the appointment of William F. O'Connor III, AIA, to the position of Expansion Project Director. O'Connor will serve as manager of the Clark's expansion project and campus enhancement, designed by architect Tadao Ando.

"Bill's extensive management, planning and construction experience will be a great asset to the Clark during this time of growth," said Michael Conforti, director of the Clark. "We are pleased he has joined our staff and look forward to his contributions."

O'Connor worked for the state of New York for more than 38 years, most recently as Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Office of General Services in Albany, N.Y., a position he held from 1995-2005. His department was responsible for over 1,300 construction projects valued at $1.5 billion. O'Connor is a licensed architect and, among many other projects, directly supervised recent restoration work at the New York State Capitol, the Empire State Plaza, and the Executive Mansion.

He was also the designer of the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the New York State Police Officers Memorial all in the Empire State Plaza. He holds Master of Architecture, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Architecture, and Bachelor of Science degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

O'Connor served on the Board of Trustees of Hudson Valley Community College from the early 1980s through 2003 (seven of these years as chairman). He also served on the Averill Park School District's Board of Education, and was its president from 1980 to 1998.

"I am delighted to be able to join the Clark at such an important time in the history of the institution," said O'Connor. "To work on such a significant facilities expansion program, with such a wealth of talent on all sides is, indeed, an incredible personal and professional opportunity."

Renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando is the project's design architect. Ando was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1995.

Douglas Reed and Gary Hilderbrand of the landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand Associates are the project landscape architects.

The Clark is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (daily in July and August).

Admission is free November through May. Admission June 1 through October 31 is $10 for adults, free for children 18 and younger, members, and students with valid ID.

For more information, call 413-458-2303 or visit www.clarkart.edu