Published: January 05, 2008 09:01 pm         

Director of Swope Art Museum steps down

TERRE HAUTE — David Vollmer, director of the Sheldon Swope Art Museum, confirmed Saturday that he has tendered his resignation from that position in favor of one in Houston.

Ralph Cutter, president of the museum’s board of directors, said the search for a replacement will begin at some point but he wasn’t certain when.

Vollmer said a public announcement of the change will be made Monday or Tuesday.

The Swope Museum was established with funds from, and in memory of, Terre Haute jeweler Sheldon Swope, who died in 1929.

The museum opened in 1942 with paintings by Grant Wood, Thomas Hart Benton, Charles Burchfield and Edward Hopper among those featured.

The museum, at 25 S. 7th St., is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m.

The group’s Web site is www.swope.org.