HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT — The Board of Directors of The Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop is pleased to announce that Ryan Paxton has been named the new Director (chief executive officer) and will succeed long-time Director, now Director Emeritus, Bill Brown.
Bill made the decision to retire in 2019, after 30 years of building a little-known museum into an institution famous for innovative and meaningful hands-on education. Paxton’s appointment comes after a comprehensive nation-wide, year-long search and selection process. He was chosen from a highly competitive pool of over 200 applicants and unanimously approved by the Board of Directors.
Sally Hill, Associate Director, co-leader, and chief of operations, has also announced her retirement, and a search led by Paxton for her successor will commence immediately. A celebration of the legacy of Bill and Sally’s work will be held at a time when gathering is permitted.
“Our search committee conducted an extensive search that attracted candidates from across the country. There were many strong candidates, and we came to the unanimous decision that Ryan has the special mix of passion, institutional knowledge, experience, and vision to build upon the legacy created by Bill and Sally. We are thrilled that Ryan will now lead a healthy vibrant Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop, and we are excited to see what new chapters he will write.” – David Lewin. Board Chairman
Over the last four years, Paxton held the title of Senior Shop Manager and Digital Fabrication Supervisor at the Museum. In that role he has led the design and manufacture of educational products by mentoring students and apprentices in the museum's workshop utilising hand and power tools alongside state of the art machinery including laser cutters and CNC routers. He has significantly contributed beyond the apparent scope of his former title, embracing the mission and entrepreneurially expanding his role.
“What I love most about my work at the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop is the opportunity to empower young people through experiential learning with great tools. I have witnessed how integral the Museum is to the greater New Haven community. We are a workshop, a historic site, an educational institution, and the place where hundreds of apprentices have matured, taking their passion for learning into their professional lives. I’m committed to upholding and expanding the legacy of the EWM&W and sharing the opportunities it provides to the broadest possible community of learners.”
– Ryan Paxton
Paxton’s unconventional background matches the unique spirit of the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oregon, Eugene, where he studied ceramics and worked as Ceramics Technician for the art department. In 2011 he moved to New York City with a backpack full of hand tools and a cot. He exhibited his artwork at the Cue Foundation in New York as well as in Fireproof Gallery, Brooklyn, among other venues. His experience at different woodshops culminated in his position as the Design Lead at Standard Transmission, where he oversaw the annual Macy’s Christmas window display at its flagship store in Manhattan. When he relocated to Connecticut in 2017, he began working as the Production Shop Manager at the Eli Whitney Workshop. The same year, Paxton co-founded LensCloud, a 3D scanning business based in Brooklyn, New York. He recently served as the Co-Creative-in-Residence at the New Haven Free Public Library, where he shared his skills in digital fabrication with the community. He is a passionate learner, collaborator, and educator.
Bill and Sally are enthusiastic about the selection of Paxton as successor.
“Ryan trained as a technician, an artisan, and an artist. Growing up in a family of contractors and tradespeople gave him a sophisticated understanding of workshop learning. He knows the depth and versatility it adds to the education of children who will learn primarily in classrooms. He knows the importance of valuing the learning of the workforce majority whose talents expertise are not validated by academic degrees. He is committed to change in the culture of learning. I am pleased that the work Sally and I have started iwill continue to grow in Ryan’s hands.''
– Bill Brown
