New Director Takes Over At Walters Art Museum

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The new executive director of the Walters Art Museum is on the job.

Monday is Julia Marciari-Alexander's first day at the museum in Baltimore. She was named executive director in February, replacing Gary Vikan, who retired after 18 years as director. The museum made admission free in 2006 under Vikan's leadership.

Before Marciari-Alexander was hired at the Walters, she was deputy director for curatorial affairs at the San Diego Museum of Art.

The Walters opened to the public in 1934 after the death of art collector Henry Walters, who gave his entire collection to the city of Baltimore. It presents a comprehensive history of art spanning 55 centuries.

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