Downtown PKB announced Thursday that Amanda Stevens will be the organization’s new executive director. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Downtown PKB announced Thursday that Amanda Stevens will be the organization’s new executive director.

Stevens has served as executive director of Artsbridge, which promotes arts education in the region on both sides of the Ohio River, since September 2018.

“I’m really excited,” Stevens said. “I think that many of the skills I use in my current position will be helpful in the new role,” she added, offering grant-writing and event-planning as examples.

Stevens will succeed Wendy Shriver, who after seven years is moving on to the executive director post at the new Discovery World on Market children’s museum planned for the former Masonic Lodge Temple downtown. Shriver will remain as a member of Downtown PKB’s board of directors, so she and Stevens will continue to work together to promote and revitalize Parkersburg’s central business district.

“I’m thrilled beyond belief and feel confident in the decision to hire Mandy,” Shriver said in a release from Downtown PKB. “I’ve collaborated and worked with Mandy on several projects and events, and she will be a great asset to our organization.”

The announcement highlighted some of Stevens’ accomplishments at Artsbridge, including creating a partnership with Grand Central Mall that included murals, musical performances, a gallery space and more; placement of a glass mosaic mural at the new Williamstown Elementary School; expansion of the ArtCart program in Wood County Schools; creation of the Art Connections program to take traveling art classes into neighborhoods; and a partnership with Marietta Main Street to participate in First Friday events.

“She’s going to be very well missed,” said Earl Khosrovi, president of Artsbridge’s board. “She’s done a great job.”

Stevens said she’ll start with Downtown PKB on Sept. 20 in an effort to provide for a seamless transmission from Artsbridge. She said she looks forward to continuing to watch Artsbridge grow in her new role.

“Great things are happening in downtown Parkersburg, and I am excited to join the Downtown PKB team,” she said in the release.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com,