STATEN ISLAND — Staten Island Arts named Christopher Hellstrom as its new executive director, replacing Melanie Cohn who stepped down from the post last year.
After sorting through 100 candidates, Staten Island Arts' board chose Hellstrom because of his work at the Greenbelt Conservatory, the group said in a release.
Hellstrom, who lives in Tottenville, previously worked as a staff writer for former Mayor Rudolph Giulani, the New York State Publishers’ representative for Oxford University Press and served on the board of Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre, according to Staten Island Arts.
"There has been a long legacy of leadership at Staten Island Arts," Hellstrom said in a statement.
"I’ve learned much from the excellent examples of my predecessors in this position, especially Laura Jean Watters and Melanie Cohn, and I will look to them for advice and counsel. There is much work to be done but I’m excited to get started."
Cohn announced in October she would step down from the helm in December after seven years with Staten Island Arts, the Staten Island Advance reported.
The group will host a meet and greet with Hellstrom at Flagship Brewing Company on July 28 with ticket sales benefitting Staten Island Arts.
