Todd Birdsong Named WKCTC's Clemens Fine Arts Center Director

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PADUCAH, KY (08/16/2018) Paducah's Todd Birdsong was recently named West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Clemens Fine Arts Center director. He had served as the center's interim director since last February. Birdsong also served as the technical director for the Clemens Center for more than 23 years prior to his director position.

"I am excited to be the new director for the Clemens Fine Arts Center," (CFAC) said Birdsong. "My hope is that we can continue to build on our mission to provide a space where the community can come together and create moments and experiences that they will remember."

Birdsong earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in mass communication and media arts from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2015 and a bachelor's degree in advertising and journalism from Murray State University in 1991. Throughout his career at the CFAC, he also taught as an adjunct instructor for the college, teaching photography, audio production and engineering.

Crediting his grandfather, a pipefitter and welder, with teaching him the value in doing good work, no matter what the job, Birdsong said he understands the importance of education, hard work, dedication to honing one's craft and collaborating with others.

"One of the things I like to do as an artist and producer is to put things together in different ways that may not seem logical on the surface. I like the juxtaposition of having two very different things coming together to make something more interesting than the two things are separately," said Birdsong. "Putting together different arts disciplines that benefit both, or all, parties involved is important. I look forward to collaborating with other artists, presenters, and venues on creative ways we can work together."

Lee Emmons, West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) vice president of institutional advancement and Paducah Junior College, Inc. (PJC) executive director, said, "We are thrilled to have Todd in the position of CFAC director. His expertise, creativity and history with the Clemens Center bring great benefits to WKCTC and the region, and we look forward to exciting growth under his leadership."

PJC is the foundation of WKCTC, where the Clemens Center is located. The charitable foundation also helps to provide support for programming at the center.

Excited for what the 2018-19 season holds for audiences, Birdsong said, "I look forward to not only presenting talented artists to the community, but connecting with and bringing new audience members into our space and sharing our vision and dedication to the performing arts with them."