The Woodlands Arts Council, a local nonprofit supporting cultural and artistic programming in Montgomery County, named longtime member Jenny Carattini-Wright as its new executive director Sept. 4. "We are pleased to recognize the incomparable performance put forth by Jenny on behalf of our organization," said Maria Holmes, president of the arts council's board of directors, in a Sept. 4 statement. "Her natural leadership abilities, high energy work style, and passion for the arts and education make her the ideal choice for our new Executive Director." Carattini-Wright has served with the arts council since its establishment, and has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality, event and nonprofit fields, according to the organization. She previously held the title of interim development director with the arts council in 2019 and served as festival director for the council's annual The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival from 2011 to 2016. Jenny Carattini-Wright was named executive director of The Woodlands Arts Council on Sept. 4.[/caption] "I have been a resident of The Woodlands for over 30 years, and I consider leadership of The Woodlands Arts Council to be a great honor," Carattini-Wright said in the council statement. "There is much to look forward to. On April 4 and 5, 2020 we will celebrate the 15th year of the award-winning Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. I am extremely excited to be a part of bringing the fine arts to my hometown and beyond, both through the festival and the cultural and education programs and scholarships the festival funds each year." In late August—and in another leadership move—The Woodlands Arts Council appointed community members Jennifer Bruse, Chris Elmi, Amy Reardon, Glen Rector and James Stilwell to serve on its board of directors. "Our five new members represent an exceptional combination of diverse talents and skills, from marketing to legal, finance and engineering," Holmes said in an Aug. 26 statement. "They also share a passion for the arts and for The Woodlands community. They will be a great asset to our board and we are thrilled to be working with them."