Pugh serving as president of The Arts Council

Dr. Gaylen Pugh is serving as president of The Arts Council Inc. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – As president of The Arts Council Inc. (TAC), Dr. Gaylen Pugh of Madison realizes “the arts are crucial to economic development, educational excellence and quality of life in Madison County.”

As president, Pugh acts as the council’s chief executive officer and presides at all executive committee and full board meetings. She is an ex officio member of all committees (except nominating). “The president serves as a spokesperson for TAC in the community,” Pugh said.

Pugh’s dedication to the visual and performing arts locally led to her accepting this role.

“Arts cross cultures, races, ages and language like no other medium and have the potential of bringing together groups of individuals for the common good,” she said.

No stranger to the stage, Pugh has appeared in numerous musicals and plays produced by local theatre companies. She is a Class 15 graduate with Leadership Huntsville/Madison County and served on the Create Huntsville Committee.

She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in speech, drama and psychology at Huntingdon College in Montgomery. Pugh then earned a master’s degree in speech pathology at the University of Alabama and a doctorate’s degree in special education administration at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.

During her career, Pugh has worked as project director for National Association of State Directors of Special Education, an administrator for a for-profit educational company, a college instructor and service provider in public and special schools.

Since 2009, she has worked as consultant with G & H Learning Networks in teaching, training and advocacy for persons with disabilities and their families and for English Language Learners.

Her husband Henry Pugh retired as colonel from the U.S. Air Force and as an executive with The Boeing Company. Their daughter Katherine works as an elementary school teacher with Teach for America in Tulsa, Okla. The Pughs are members of Asbury United Methodist Church.

The Art Council’s address is 700 Monroe St. SW, Suite 2 in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-519-ARTS (2787) or email to info@artshuntsville.org.