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Rene Rodgers
BRISTOL, Va. — Birthplace of Country Music Director and Head Curator Jessica Turner is stepping down to take another position.
Turner will become the executive director of the American Folklore Society, according to a written statement. She began working with the BCM in 2011 and was named to head the museum in 2013, guiding its construction, opening and first years of operation.
“She was instrumental in designing and curating the museum before it opened in August of 2014. BCM is very fortunate that Jessica was available to come on board to curate the museum’s content and help recruit an outstanding team of people, both staff and volunteers,” BCM Executive Director Leah Ross said in the statement. “Jessica will be missed, but we sincerely wish her well in her new position.”
The society is a U.S.-based professional association that exists to further the discipline of folklore studies. Prior to joining BMC, Turner taught at the former Virginia Intermont College.
“I am proud to have worked with such a passionate and visionary group of staff, board, and volunteers as we designed and built the museum and developed its programs, and as we serve as an advocate for the arts in our region,” said Turner. “It’s a role that I will always cherish and will truly miss, and I will remain a strong supporter of BCM’s work and this community.”
The major portion of Turner’s responsibilities will be transferred to Rene Rodgers, who has been named head curator of the museum. Rodgers joined BCM in 2012, in a part-time role, as a member of the content team working on the exhibit script and design for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Once the museum opened in 2014, Rodgers joined the BCM team full time as the curator of exhibits and publications and has overseen the special exhibits at the museum.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Rene’s caliber on our staff,” said Ross. “Rene is fully knowledgeable regarding the curatorial aspects of our museum as well as its staff and volunteers. I look forward to working with her going forward as we move towards fulfilling our mission and improving our museum and its related programs.”