Maine's Farnsworth Art Museum hires new director

ROCKLAND, Maine (AP) — The Farnsworth Art Museum in Maine is hiring the longtime director of a Maryland museum to take its top spot.

Christopher Brownawell has agreed to become the Farnsworth director beginning Feb. 1. The museum in Rockland is one of Maine's most prominent museums, with a gallery and study center devoted to the Maine-related work of artists N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth.

Brownawell has been director of the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Md., since 1993. He succeeds Michael Komanecky, who has served as the Farnsworth Art Museum's interim director since January.