The James Library & Center for the Arts in Norwell has appointed Liz Helfer as its new executive director, marking a fresh chapter for the nonprofit’s arts and education programming, according to a community announcement.
Helfer currently serves as public arts and culture planner in Watertown, where she manages public art policy, citywide events and grant programs. She previously worked as hatch coordinator at the Watertown Free Public Library, focusing on volunteer management and partnerships.
A practicing sculptor and founder of Liz Helfer Studios, Helfer’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with permanent installations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Latvia. Her public art projects — such as “Freedom’s Silhouette,” in Concord, and “Guardian of Balance,” in Brookline — reflect her commitment to storytelling, civic engagement and environmental awareness, according to the announcement.
As executive director at the James Library, Helfer is expected to oversee daily operations, fundraising and programming while serving as the library’s public face. She will collaborate with staff, volunteers and regional partners to expand the library’s reach and deepen its impact across the South Shore.
“I’m honored to join the James Library & Center for the Arts,” Helfer said in a statement. “This is a place where creativity, learning and community converge — and I’m excited to help shape its future.”
For more about Helfer’s work, visit elizabethhelfer.com. For upcoming programs, visit jameslibrary.org.
By David DeMille, reporter, created with AI assistance
