4/11/02

The Arts Council for Chautauqua County, Inc. and the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center, Inc. are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement, and that the Lucy-Desi Museum and Gift Shop will resume normal operation on Thursday, April 11, 2002.  Regular visitor hours are expected to resume this weekend.  Visitors are urged to check the museum website, www.lucy-desi.com, for up to date information.

The Arts Council and the Center announced that their agreement calls for a transfer of the museum, which should be formally complete by the end of the month.  In the meantime, the Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Center, Inc. will take over operation of the museum effective Thursday morning under a management agreement.

Jane Kidder, President of the Arts Council, commented: "The Arts Council is extremely pleased that we have come to an agreement  and we are looking forward to a smooth transition.  We will do all we can to help the new museum be operational and successful, building on the progress of the last six years.

Ric Wyman, Executive Director of the new organization, said "We are looking forward to welcoming our first bus tour of the season Thursday afternoon, and welcoming visitors back to the museum beginning this weekend."